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Author Topic:   Trailer Lights - Amber side lights Needed?

aja posted 07-27-2007 09:20 AM ET (US)
The lights on our trailer have been suspect since we first purchased this boat, so I recently decided to just swap them all out for new. I picked out a set with LED bulbs for the tail lights but when I opened it saw the kit didn't come with any of the amber side lights for the mid section of the trailer. The kit says it is for an 8' wide trailer and that it included "side lights", but these turned out to just be on the side of the red tail lights. Would it be legal to just remove and skip the amber side lights with this new setup or should I figure out some way to include the amber lights we well?
blackdog54 posted 07-27-2007 10:13 AM ET (US)
Vermont:
Boating Law Administrator: 802-244-8778
Maximum Speed Limit: 65
Maximum Dimensions for trailer:53'L x 8'6"W x 13'6"H
Maximum Length with Trailer:65'
Minimum Weight requiring Separate Trailer Brakes:3000
Trailer Equipment Requirements:
Safety Chains:Y
Brakelights:Y
Taillights:Y
Clearance Lights:Y (If over 80" wide)
License Light:Y
Turn Signals:Y
Reflectors:N/A
Flares:Y
Breakaway Brakes: Y
Tiedowns:Y
Two Trailers:N
Insurance:Y
Wide Trailer Permit Phone Number: 802-826-2064
For all states trailering laws:
http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/laws.asp
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-27-2007 03:27 PM ET (US)
at 80" wide the rules change. You need the three lights in
the middle of the cross member and more. Montauks and up
typically sit on 80"+ trailers.
And you may well WANT the side lights. I had a really scary
experience about 20 years ago driving home in the rain one
night. A pickup starts to slowly pull out of a narrow side street
ahead of me. No problem, slow down a bit and he'll be
clear when you get there. Then OH SHIT HE'S GOT A CORVETTE
ON A TRAILER. No side marker lights, and in the dark and
driving rain it wasn't visible until the tail lights came
out of the side street. I got stopped, but I took me about
four hours to get to sleep that night.
My Montauk trailer came with side lights on the fenders. I
added some more under the bow.

Chuck
freebored posted 07-28-2007 08:48 AM ET (US)
state of connecticut required them on my trailer for a 15 foot classic ... i also agree it's a very good idea even if not required ...

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Author	Topic: Trailer Lights - Amber side lights Needed?
aja	posted 07-27-2007 09:20 AM ET (US) The lights on our trailer have been suspect since we first purchased this boat, so I recently decided to just swap them all out for new. I picked out a set with LED bulbs for the tail lights but when I opened it saw the kit didn't come with any of the amber side lights for the mid section of the trailer. The kit says it is for an 8' wide trailer and that it included "side lights", but these turned out to just be on the side of the red tail lights. Would it be legal to just remove and skip the amber side lights with this new setup or should I figure out some way to include the amber lights we well?
blackdog54	posted 07-27-2007 10:13 AM ET (US) Vermont: Boating Law Administrator: 802-244-8778 Maximum Speed Limit: 65 Maximum Dimensions for trailer:53'L x 8'6"W x 13'6"H Maximum Length with Trailer:65' Minimum Weight requiring Separate Trailer Brakes:3000 Trailer Equipment Requirements: Safety Chains:Y Brakelights:Y Taillights:Y Clearance Lights:Y (If over 80" wide) License Light:Y Turn Signals:Y Reflectors:N/A Flares:Y Breakaway Brakes: Y Tiedowns:Y Two Trailers:N Insurance:Y Wide Trailer Permit Phone Number: 802-826-2064 For all states trailering laws: http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/laws.asp
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-27-2007 03:27 PM ET (US) at 80" wide the rules change. You need the three lights in the middle of the cross member and more. Montauks and up typically sit on 80"+ trailers. And you may well WANT the side lights. I had a really scary experience about 20 years ago driving home in the rain one night. A pickup starts to slowly pull out of a narrow side street ahead of me. No problem, slow down a bit and he'll be clear when you get there. Then OH SHIT HE'S GOT A CORVETTE ON A TRAILER. No side marker lights, and in the dark and driving rain it wasn't visible until the tail lights came out of the side street. I got stopped, but I took me about four hours to get to sleep that night. My Montauk trailer came with side lights on the fenders. I added some more under the bow. Chuck
freebored	posted 07-28-2007 08:48 AM ET (US) state of connecticut required them on my trailer for a 15 foot classic ... i also agree it's a very good idea even if not required ...