Front sidemarker question

Baub

Recruit
Joined
May 26, 2008
Messages
2
On an under 80" trailer, do the front amber markers have to be lights, or can they be reflectors?

Thanks for any help.
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: Front sidemarker question

Welcome to iboats!:cool:

They have to be lights. Reflectors are also required, but most marker lights are also certified as reflectors too. Take a look here for trailer lighting requirements.
 

Baub

Recruit
Joined
May 26, 2008
Messages
2
Re: Front sidemarker question

Thank you for the welcome and the fast response. I did do some research before I posted, and did review the link you posted. I just wasn't sure if a light or a reflector would do. I kind of thought (hoped) the reflector was enough. The chart is a little difficult.
 

MAXXIE

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 26, 2009
Messages
556
Re: Front sidemarker question

According to those picture graph's anything in front of the wheels must be yellow & everything behind the wheels must be red. This means I'm not in accordance with the law. I bought a cheap set of 12 yellow marker/clearance lights & mounted them all over the trailer (just for visual effect & night retrieval), in addition to the normal, legal required lighting re: Stop/Tail/Turn (RED) & the front markers (yellow). I think I'd better get those extra markers off or at least wire them on a separate manual switch for the night retrieval. Thanks for the information, I had asked this question last season before I did that & didn't get any thumbs down here. Oh well, BTW: It does really look cool & makes it easier at night under the water.
 

ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
1,858
Re: Front sidemarker question

According to those picture graph's anything in front of the wheels must be yellow & everything behind the wheels must be red. This means I'm not in accordance with the law. I bought a cheap set of 12 yellow marker/clearance lights & mounted them all over the trailer (just for visual effect & night retrieval), in addition to the normal, legal required lighting re: Stop/Tail/Turn (RED) & the front markers (yellow). I think I'd better get those extra markers off or at least wire them on a separate manual switch for the night retrieval. Thanks for the information, I had asked this question last season before I did that & didn't get any thumbs down here. Oh well, BTW: It does really look cool & makes it easier at night under the water.

Not necessarily so. Find FMVSS 108 on the web if you want the full story, here's one site:

http://fmvss108.tripod.com/fmvss108text.htm

As long as you meet the minimum requirements, you can add other lights, so long as e.g., you meet this reg:

S5.1.3 No additional lamp, reflective device or other motor vehicle
equipment shall be installed that impairs the effectiveness of lighting
equipment required by this standard.

(What exactly does that mean? Who the heck knows? I hate ambiguous laws)

I am sure you could mine numerous other regs out of FMVSS 108, having to do with allowable colors, etc.

I would also encourage you to check out your state DMV's regulations on trailer lights; for example, in California, they specifically state that any light within 24" of the back end of the trailer must be red, and anywhere else amber. Made it easy to determine what color could go where.
 

wifisher

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Messages
578
Re: Front sidemarker question

It depends on where you are. Different states have different regulations. In Wisconsin you only need clearance lights if the trailer is over 80" wide. And only if driving at night.
 

MAXXIE

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 26, 2009
Messages
556
Re: Front sidemarker question

Ya know, this reminds me of the Pa. auto window tint laws. There is this "GREY" area that even the police don't know what the law really is. I drove a black ZR2 Blazer around this area for years without a problem & had 5% tint on all but the windshield. Last year I put 25% tint(cuz the wife didn't want it too dark), on my FJ Cruiser, much, much lighter. I was pulled over the very first day by a cop with an electronic tint meter, he said "Too dark" & gave me a ticket. What I found out from the State Police is: In Pa. nothing can be added to any window in the car, not even the rear or back side's. The yo-yo that pulled me over didn't even know the friggin law. "Grey" area & up for interpretation I guess. This looks like one of those...
 

LippCJ7

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 20, 2010
Messages
5,431
Re: Front sidemarker question

To be safe just make sure red does not face front, basically in all states red has to face back and white has to face front, the exceptions are that red can face sideways and white can face back only for reverse lighting that shuts off when driving in a forward direction, yellow can be in any direction at anytime. this will make it so you don't have any issues with the police
 
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