How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

[bowman316]

I must replace my trailer lights 3 to 4 times a year. One side will break, and I replace that side, then the other side will break. The bulbs are 5-6 bucks, and a new light is only 8 bucks, so rather than hunt for the right bulb, I just got a new one.

Either side of the trailer has different bulbs too. This is the most annoying thing about owning a boat.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

Try some water-tight LED lights. They have lasted me 2 seasons now.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

how many? NONE! I have led's... done deal

 

[Greebo]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

Another one with NIL. Use LEDs and problem solved.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

Depends on how many the dog chews off. But if the dog doesn't get to them, 3-4 years with regular bubs.

 

[Expidia]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

For $50 you can put a set of submersible LED's on like the other poster said. Leave the old wiring on and just cut old wires at the light and reconnect to the two new LED's.
I just installed these on my Daughter's trailer. They look great.

Or just unplug your trailer before backing into the water. My trailer is a 2007 and the lights are totally open at the bottom for draining. Yet in 3 years I've never replaced a bulb. If you back into the water as you stop your brake lights are on bright and hot and they will eventually pop as they hit the cold water.

 

[cribber]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

Two years of being dunked in the water every other weekend and not a problem with my LED trailer lights.

Now my utility trailer I've had to replace two bulbs in about 4 years and these are standard incandescent bulbs. When the time comes these will be replaced with an LED set too.

 

[Proselect]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

zero changes since went to LED

 

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

LED all the way!!!

 

[robert graham]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

My boat/motor/trailer is a 1999 and all the bulbs are originals, the older kind(not LED), but I do always unplug the lights before launches so not to dunk a hot bulb in cold river water. I'm still amazed none have burned out yet...must be better than years ago when trailer lights were mostly junk/guaranteed to fail....

 

[carbineone]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

Like Expidia said just unplug them and I have no problems...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

Five bucks a bulb?????????? What are they - platinum plated??? I've been boating for what I would guess is more years than most of the posters here are old and I can probably count on one hand the number of trailer bulbs I've replaced. Unplug them before backing in. Hot bulbs and cold water don't like each other.

 

[109jb]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

I have standard submersible trailer lights (NOT LED), I NEVER unplug at the ramp, and I haven't replaced a bulb in probably 5 or 6 years.

Also, 5 to 6 bucks a bulb???? What kind of bulbs do you have?? I get mine (standard 1157 bulbs) in a 2-pack for about $1.50

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

Your not using submersible housings thats why.
LED'sw are great but sealed and bottom loaded incandecesants work fine.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

I replace more lights as a housing assembly due to breakage than because the bulb went bad. When I get a new fixture the first thing I do after the install is to coat the base of the bulb with dielectric grease.

 

[JimS123]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

My tandem trailer is a 1984 TeeNee and has all its original bulbs. The lights are submersible units, sealed like a bell jar.

The other 3 trailers have the newer "sealed" variety. I pull the bulbs every couple of years and pack the electrodes in vaseline. The oldest trailer of this group is a 1999 and has had one bulb replaced due to physical damage.

Naturally, the plugs all get disconnected on launching.

 

[bowman316]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

the two pack at auto zone of the 1157 bulbs are 5 bucks

 

[izoomie]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

I have regular bulbs, and unplug my harness before it goes in the water and I can't remember the last time I had to replace one.

 

[bowman316]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

sounds like led is worth the extra money.

 

[skargo]

Re: How many trailer lights/bulbs do you go thru each year?

I have standard submersible trailer lights (NOT LED), I NEVER unplug at the ramp, and I haven't replaced a bulb in probably 5 or 6 years.

Also, 5 to 6 bucks a bulb???? What kind of bulbs do you have?? I get mine (standard 1157 bulbs) in a 2-pack for about $1.50

I don't unplug mine, and have a year of dunking them under my belt, no issues.
I will go the LED route when these die.

I don't plug because the bulbs don't get hot enough to cause any issues being dunked in water.