Ok my turn to ask a off topic question, I would like to replace my 2 wire 1157 bulb tail light assembly's.
There are a ton of options out there. Any suggestions of what some folks have used.

 

I think they make LED assemblies that would bolt right on your trailer. Or replace the bulbs with LED's.

 

That assembly looks good to me, unless it is failing as a waterproof receptacle? If brighter blubs would help, I use these:


I think Joe P. had a recommendation out on these.

By the way, you may be over thinking this. I saw at least 3 trailers being dragged on the roads today, and not one had a taillight, must less a working turn signal...:wink:

 

I'm hoping to find something that just replaces the whole assembly and not have to do any voodoo wiring thingamajigy.
I am certainly not a electrician.

 

Check Menards or FleetFarm in the automotive area where they have trailer stuff.

 

etrailer.com

I replaced everything but the frame and the axle spindles and bar off e trailer.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Lig...cs/TLL9RK.html

This will get you to just bolt on and crimp levels. I recommend, if you're going to crimp, either tape it up afterwards, or put some heat shrink tube down one side, crimp, then slide it over and heat gun it. It also acts as strain relief for the crimp.

 

Harbor Freight and Northern Tool have kits that have everything in them including the side marker lights. I just put one from HF on my trailer. Price is very reasonable.

 

Pretty sure those are Hopkins assemblies - available in many locations e.g. Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.

https://www.lowes.com/search?searchT...ent=4294851198

 

I replaced every standard bulb on my trailer with Reese LED replacements I got from Autozone. They fit in exactly the same spot with no hassle. In all reality I spent probably 5 times as much effort replacing the wiring. I think there were something like 35 scotch loc connectors, every one of them corroded.

 

I have a small 4x8 trailer that I'm dreading rewiring. Stupid chipmunks and/or squirrels chewed the wires, so I'll be using convolute tubing to protect the new harness, and may also look at installing a connector that unplugs from the tongue, as that end section where it dangles out and connects to the truck always seems to get the most wear and tear.

 

ive always used the lights for the semi trailers, buy the brackets with the hole already in it, rubber mounted, waterproof (used on my boat trailer for years) dont use a common ground to frame wire it direct with a ground wire in the harness, no more loose grounds. solder joints and use two coats of liquid electrical tape

 

For $17 it's two wires and a ground for each light. The assemblies are sealed as well. I just replaced a set of mine because I was sick of screwing with the stupid bulb sockets that never worked worth a crap when they were new.

 

those look a lot better than the old trailer/camper lights we used to get

 

I purchased right and left assembly's like in the links above at Harbor freight. I will install next week and show what I have done.
Thanks for all the input.

 

I have the HF units on my trailer and they have been great.

 

Does anyone else think that the quality of the wire included with the Chinese LED retrofit kits is substandard ? The current required for the LEDs is so low that the wiring is about 24 gauge although the jacket used is made to look like it is 16 gauge.

 

Really. We are talking about trailer lights not wiring an engine. I think ART's response kind of answers your question.

 

Just my personal experience: most offshore things, in general, are substandard, yes. We live in a disposable world, anymore.

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions on the tail lights. I have them installed and after fixing a ground they work very well.
Probably didn't need them since I know the ground was my real problem but i still wanted the LEDs.
The trailer lives inside the garage during the fall and winter so I think corrosion will not be much of a problem.