Lighting and Conspicuity Treatment Requirements for 53-Foot Trailer

Question:

How to change tag light on 53foot trailer..I was trying to change it thinking it was just a bulb but have to change the wiring and all..do they all come like that?

asked by: Roland

Expert Reply:

Trailer lighting requirements do vary based on trailer size and gross weight so in order to keep your trailer legal I suggest you refer to the article I linked for you which details the requirements for lights.

The article also covers conspicuity treatments which are required for trailers over 10,000-lbs GVWR. These treatments consist of strips of reflective tape like # RE18T or rows of individual reflectors like # RT10RB that create an alternating pattern of red and white along the sides and rear of a trailer to make it easier to see.

If you are changing entire lights you'll want to keep in mind that lights can use either a wired ground (usually a white wire with ring terminal) as on part # ST16RB or a mounting ground which uses one of the mounting screws or studs to make a ground at the trailer. In both cases you want to make sure that your grounds are made to clean bare metal that is free of rust, grease, paint, primer or corrosion.

expert reply by: Adam R