What's the law re: lights?

[lopo]

Do you have to have running lights (are those the "marker" lights?) as well as tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals?

Also, do you have a breakaway switch if you have breaks? I hadn't planned to have a battery on board but I'll need a battery if I have a breakaway switch, right?

[offspringin]

i think it may depend on the states. as far as i know (and i certainly could be wrong) you need at minimum to run taillights/running lights and blinkers/brake lights.

ours has all marker and clearance lights BUT something is shorting out in the top lights so for the moment they are disconnected and we only have the tails. i plan to fix them but it will require pulling paneling out

as far as the breakaway switch i know my dads 20 something foot trailer has them but his has brakes. our compact has no brakes thus no breakaway switch. i don't know if there are laws regulating a certain trailer size or weight requires them

[lopo]

Offspringin, what's the diff between running lights and marker and clearance lights? I've got 5 lights along the top front (all missing lenses and not working), and along the top of the back, lights were removed and blobbed over with bondo so I'm going to scrape that off and see if it's possible to install new ones (can I find the right round red ones and can I get to the wires still). And I've got the bases but no lenses for rectangular lights at the top sides and the bottom front curb side has a round yellow one. I don't know which should light up. I'd love to find originals and have them working, but hopefully in the meantime, having tail lights, brake lights and turn signals should be cool with the law?

[offspringin]

yes they can be had (at least for our 70 model) i replaced ALL my lights when i got the trailer. they were missing lens, or faded or rusty etc plus the all used the old style bulbs.

the front 5 lights and rear 5 lights are just clearance lights front would all be yellow and rear all red. for the sides ours had lights at the top in front and back both oblong shaped and replacements for those were found too (though maybe not original look they are the same shape/size) the bottom of our trailer only had reflectors screwed in and those from what i can tell were never lights.

the clearance lights on ours are called Reflect-o-lite here is a link to what they look like on my front and rear (this may not be the best prices though, so shop around) you can buy just the lens and the whole assembly. I suggest just getting the whole deal since chances are yours are faded, cracked aged etc

www.shoprvparts.com/product.do?no=13198F

[offspringin]

and yes i think you are fine (please anyone else chime in if you know different) running with just your tail lights as long as all the functions work, blinkers, brake and running lights (also prob need a tag light but on our 70 that's integrated into the tails)

[lopo]

Thanks for the link. I got most at vintagetrailersupply.com but didn't see the red marker lights so if I'll get what I still need from shoprvparts.com. And I did order the small license plate bracket with the light. Since I'm getting rid of the big rectangular lights a PO had installed (which had a license bracket on it), I needed to buy a separate plate bracket.

[Deleted]

I found this: www.ehow.com/list_6461566_laws-towing-trailers-florida.html

I could not find anything on the Florida DMV website that specifically lists requirements for lighting, etc. My guess is that although it may vary from state to state, the laws are similar. It may be worth it to ask at the DMV when you are passing through sometime if they have a publication that specifically lists the requirements.

The Requirements for brakes on a trailer in NY are similar to what is said here for FL. The weight of the trailer (over 3000 pounds) determines the need for brakes. I am pretty sure the Compact is lightweight enough to not make brakes necessary, thus no need for the break-away switch. NY's laws for lighting requirement may also be slightly different, but I know that a lot of the required markers (i.e. how many) are determined by the length and width of the trailer. Yellow front, red rear, visible from a certain distance. I personally have overdone it on a few of my cargo trailers, but I believe the more that they show up, the less likely I am going to be involved in an accident with someone claiming "I never saw it there..."

[vikx]

Offspringin, you may have already done this, but it may be the light itself (or 2) that is shorting out. Remove the lenses and inspect carefully. Took me two days one time to find the culprit. LOL.

[cowcharge]

I'm late too, and like everyone said, you probably don't need brakes on a Compact. But if you DO have brakes you absolutely need the breakaway switch to work.

And the clearance lights (I'm pretty sure they're all clearance lights aka marker lights), while maybe not required, are still handy not only for others seeing you, but for whoever is helping you back in at night to see whether you're gonna hit that tree branch or not.

And for whoever it was that had lights shorting out, you probably already did this, but just in case... Check your grounds where they come out through the frame underneath the trailer. It would be a shame to tear out wood if all it was was a rusty connection or broken wire that you could replace in five minutes from the outside. Mine has grounds bolted to the frame under the left rear corner, the left front edge, the left side of the front end, under the kitchen counter to the left of the door, and behind the left wheel well where the water pump is. Different trailer no doubt, but look underneath, anywhere there is a cluster of electrical stuff inside. And also where the trailer harness goes into the front of the trailer, it might be a chafed wire where it goes through the skin... Sorry for butting in if you already went through them all...