Trailer Lights: bulb or LED?

RobMcClain · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 12:19 am Post subject: Trailer Lights: bulb or LED?

We have a broken tail light on our Magic Tilt trailer that needs replacing. All of the trailer lighting is traditional bulb lighting, as opposed to LED. This includes the small marker lights on the side of the trailer. I have heard that it is inadvisable to mix lighting types; either go with all bulb or all LED, not a combination of LED tail lights and bulb side lights. I do not know if this is true or not.

From reading the archives it seems as many folks dislike their LED fixtures as do the traditional bulb fixtures, so maybe it's a toss-up which type to use. I really have just the one bad tail light so it is easy to buy one new fixture. However, I have also considered replacing both tail light fixtures with the new LED type, but I don't want to touch the side bulb-type lights.

My question is this: can fixture types be mixed (i.e., bulb on the sides & LED on the tail) or is it better to keep all of one type on the trailer?

Rob

colobear · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 12:58 am Post subject:

I can't answer the question about mixing bulbs and LED but almost all new trailers come with LED. We have LED on our trailer and have had very little trouble. The usual grounding issue don't care if the circuit is LED or incandescent. Personally I wouldn't worry. As with grounding, the electrical circuit doesn't know if the load is LED or incandescent. I ran a dedicated ground circuit instead of using the trailer frame and have had no problems since.

Spike · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:03 am Post subject:

Rob
On my previous trailer I had mixed lights. Replaced with LED as they went south. No problem.

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:57 am Post subject:

I replaced the incandescent tail light fixtures with two new led type on my MagicTilt trailer. I have launched in the salt water 78 times since doing that and they work perfectly yet. No problems.

Run a dedicated ground wire as someone else suggested. Much better than using the frame.

THe side markers are still incand. and mostly do not work. I will replace them with led when time allows.

Miafun1 · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 9:24 am Post subject: Led trailer lights

I replaced a side marker light with LED and it didn't work long at all. Water intrusion made quick work of the circuit board.

I plan to try them again though after reading pro's from the posts here.

thataway · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 10:38 am Post subject:

I have mixed LED and incandescent with no problems--both working. I have also often rebuilt the socket for the incandescents--despite the "upside down glass" in many tail lights, the water gets into the bulb socket and corrosion occurs. On the other hand some of the LED containers crack and water gets into their circuit boards…

I prefer the LED.

RobMcClain · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 10:44 am Post subject:

I really appreciate the feedback - thanks to all. Sounds like I am good mixing fixture types. Now I just need to get to the store and do the work. Can't tow till I do...

Miafun1 · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:13 am Post subject: Led trailer lights

Applying dielectric grease to the bulb bases and sockets really go a long way to making the connection last a long time. The payoff is well worth the effort.

AK Angler · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:27 am Post subject:

Be sure to get fixtures that are waterproof. Some are, some aren't.

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:52 am Post subject:

I find it rather odd that folks say that you shouldn't run LEDs and incandesent lights together. However, it doesn't matter if you do as the electricity doesn't care one way or another. My side marker lights are old school lights and the ones on the tail are LEDs - no troubles at all with any of it.

localboy · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 5:16 pm Post subject: