When you need to tow a vehicle out of a pitch-black gully, or also, from a desolate mountain in thick fog, there's no doubt that a trailer light is needed. You need to choose the right trailer light according to local regulations, for avoiding breaking the law.
What Does a Trailer Lighting Kit Include?
Side Marker Lights
Side Marker Lights, generally, are installed on both sides of the vehicle. Their mainly work for enhancing the visibility of the vehicle's sides, at night or in low-visibility conditions. They are usually amber in color, which can significantly improve the ability of other road users to identify the vehicle's position and reduce the probability of traffic accidents.
Tail Lights
Tail lights are one of the most important lights at the rear of the trailer. They are usually red and are used to indicate the presence of the vehicle. They are integrated with functions such as brake lights and turn signals. Tail lights can be clearly recognized from a long distance, ensuring that vehicles behind can detect the trailer in time and maintain a safe distance.
Left and Right Turn Signals
Left and right turn signals indicate the direction in which the vehicle is about to turn. They are usually amber and flash when the vehicle is turning, and thereby remind other road users to give way.
Brake Lights
Brake lights are also located at the rear of the trailer. They turn on when the driver presses the brake pedal, informing the vehicles behind that the vehicle is decelerating or stopping. The color of brake lights is usually red to convey the message of an emergency stop.
Federal and Local Regulations on tow truck Lights
Federal Regulations
According to federal legislation, "additional lighting" can be installed on trailers, provided that these lighting devices do not reduce the effectiveness of the original lights or cause confusion on the road. Any additional lights must comply with color and installation location restrictions. For example:
- Headlights, tail lights, and reverse lights are almost always white.
- All rear-facing lights and side marker lights on the rear side should be red.
- Clearance lights are usually amber LED light strips used to mark the width and height of the vehicle.
Local Regulations
Each state has different regulations regarding the color and type of trailer lights. Here are the regulations of several typical states:
- Ohio, Florida, and California allow trailers to install amber warning lights.
- Some states require trailers to use specific colors or combinations of colors, such as oscillating, flashing, or rotating lights. The specific requirements vary from state to state. Therefore, before installing any additional lighting equipment, it is essential to check local and state regulations.
Where Should the lights Be Installed?
Side Marker Lights
As above-mentioned, they are installed on both sides of the vehicle. It is generally recommended to install at least two side marker lights on each side, located near the middle and the rear of the vehicle body, respectively.
Tail Lights
We should install the tail lights in the center of the rear of the trailer. The height of the tail lights should be appropriate, neither affecting the appearance nor hindering operation, while ensuring they can be clearly identified in all weather conditions.
Left and Right Turn Signals
Left and right turn signals is advisable to set up on the front and rear sides of the trailer, respectively. The front turn signals are usually located near the headlights or slightly lower than the headlights; the rear turn signals should be closely adjacent to the tail lights to ensure that the signal can be effectively transmitted when turning.
Brake Lights
Brake lights should be installed in the center or slightly above the center of the rear of the trailer, integrated with the tail lights. The height and position of the brake lights should ensure that they can immediately attract the attention of the vehicles behind when the vehicle decelerates or stops.
Conclusion
We need to ensure that the vehicle lights comply with legal and regulatory requirements and improve work efficiency. We hope the content of this article can help you better understand and configure the best lighting system suitable for trailers. If you still have other questions, you may need to consult professional merchants.
