L.E.D. (Light-emitting diode) tail lights are becoming more popular and can be seen now on many trucks, cars and on several RV makes. They are bright, and in many cases, far more so than the standard automotive bulb type. But the most noticeable thing about them is their speed to light. Unlike the standard automotive light bulb that requires about 200 milliseconds to reach full brightness, the L.E.D. is fully lit in about one half of a millisecond. Now you may think it would be difficult to actually see the speed difference, but it is not. In fact it is quite noticeable.
So, is that why one would want to go to L.E.D. tail lights, the speed to illuminate? No, there are other advantages, but the speed may offer a minimal margin of safety when considering brake light applications during panic stops. Now let’s take a look at what advantages are offered by going to L.E.D. tail lights.
- Low Power Draw – L.E.D. lamps typically consume about one third of the electrical power required by a similar standard automotive bulb.
- Bright Light – The L.E.D. lamps are generally brighter than their comparable match to a standard twelve volt bulb.
- Faster Illumination – L.E.D. lamps illuminate about seven times quicker than a standard twelve volt automotive light bulb.
- Longer Life – L.E.D. lamps for tail light applications are capable of operating in the range of about 80,000 hours. This totally eliminates the chances of ever having a failed light while on the road and the need ever to replace a bulb for probably the life of your RV.
So, how can you add L.E.D. tail lights to your existing rig? Well, you can not just buy the L.E.D. bulbs and install them into your current tail light assemblies. While the power sockets may be correct, the problem is the light head size. It will not pass through the hole in the fixture that the bulb goes through. Unlike the way tail light assemblies used to be that were made with a removable lens, today’s units are all one piece. This requires installing a new bulb by unplugging the old one from the light assembly and reinserting the new back into the hole.
Well, here is the answer. You must replace the entire light assembly with a unit designed for L.E.D. lamps only. Okay, you may be thinking, “But the ones that came with my RV are the only ones available from the manufacturer.” Yes, that is correct, however, the RV maker did not have those light assemblies custom built for their rigs. They are automotive tail light packages from a particular vehicle model and year. Some are from General Motors vehicles, Ford, Honda, etc. No RV manufacturer designs custom tail lights for their product. Given the low quantity it makes no financial sense.
The picture on the left shows a 2007/08/09 Newmar Essex or King Aire tail light assemble. These are 2006/7/8 GM Chevrolet Trail Blazer tail lights. Below is the light assembly in an ’08 Trail Blazer. In this assembly on the Newmar they use two sets with the second set being inverted and placed beneath the others. So, where did the tail lights come from on your rig? If you don’t know, get looking. Just watch cars and light trucks and check out there tail lights when you are on the road. Your units are out there somewhere. Watch out, they may be installed vertical instead of horizontally like your units.
This opens a new market source, custom auto parts. There are many custom tail light suppliers, all of which offer various custom assemblies including L.E.D. equipped units. These new units are generally sold by the pair and are also available in custom designs and colors. Standard bulb type or L.E.D. are both available. Custom colors, smoked lenses, clear lenses, chrome accents and more.
These all can be user installed. Simply removing the existing assembly and reinstalling the new should take very little time or effort. While the outer design may appear somewhat different, the back side profile is made identical to the O.E.M. design and will fit as flush as the old ones.
Well, it is not exactly “Pimping your ride,” but it can help you personalize your RV, whether it is a trailer, 5th wheel, or a motorized unit. Some of the assemblies available can make quite a statement. Check some out on the following website.
http://www.usfreeads.com/catalogs/155877/c2514s4855/led-tail-lights.html P.S. I should mention that you may have to replace your flasher unit. The standard thermal type may need to be replaced with an LED compatable. In some case a standard heavy duty flasher may work fine so check it out.
Just Pimping Your Ride – Lug_Nut – Peter Mercer
Chastity
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with helpful information to work on. You’ve performed an impressive process and our entire group will probably be grateful to you.
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led strips
LEDs are great which give us many clolor options. I purchased led strip lights as my headlights and tail lights. I intalled amber for turn sign light and cool white as headlights.
Frederick Olsen
I’m looking for the BARGMAN LED RV Horizontal Taillight. BARGMAN ITEM # 47-84-540. It has the white frame/surround base. Should it be available, I would consider a purchase of two (2). Is this item available from you? Regards, Fred.
Lug_Nut
Ron Baran, Great point and well explained. Thank you for your super input.
Ron Baran
The impact of lighting faster is huge ! At 60 MPH you are travelling at 88 feet per second. At a time/distance saving of .2 seconds you have stopped your vehicle in 17.6 feet less distance. Think about how many accidents would not have happened if you had 17 feet of extra space
Lug_Nut
Tige Herndon, Interesting comments, however there are many LED lamps available, some brighter than others. The comment on LED’s not using the reflector is quite correct, but the right unit is brighter than the standard bulbs using the reflector. If you have followed a vehicle, like a semi, that has a good set of LED tail lights you know what I’m talking about. Thanks for presenting the link and for your input.
Tige Herndon
Here’s a 2nd opinion.
I considered LEDs several years ago but decided not to make the change after reading the following:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/138484-thinking-about-using-leds.html
Have things changed?
Lug_Nut
Hackercraft, The additional lights will make it stand out. This will certainly help those behind particularly when driving into the sun on a late afternoon. Often brake lights don’t show real well in that case. Thanks for sharing that with us and for your great input.
Hackercraft
I too am a retired truck driver and have replaced the lights on my Challenger fifth with Led’s and am in the process of replacing all of them plus adding a turn signal in the middle of the trailer. I am also adding a second turn/ brake signal at the top of the trailer just below the outside top marker lite. Over the years I have noticed how much these top signals stand out as they are out of the normal sight pattern and a blinking led lite 13′ in the air gets noticed.
Lug_Nut
pete freestone, The price it cost you to change is extremely good. I have seen similar issues regarding over heated lenses. Well, at least that won’t happen again with LED’s. Thanks for your input on this topic.
pete freestone
just replaced my inferior bargman tail lights with their new l.e.d. replacement at $25 a pop and a needed 8, chingow!!! would have choosen a different brand but due to design of my 93 crown royal sig. i had no choice…original lenses and housings distorted due to the heat from the tail light filament of the recommended 1157 bulb… when i complained to them they said it was from the heat of the az. sun….since i spend my summers out of the state i say bbbbbbbbbbbssssssssssss..just another mfg. charging big bucks for an inferior product….
Lug_Nut
ben Weatherl, Thanks for the link and your input.
Lug_Nut
Gerald Wagner, That is very interesting. I was not aware of this issue. Perhaps there may be another answer rather than switching back. Thank you for the very interesting post.
ben Weatherl
Texmood.com has all the plug n play LED upgrade marker lights for your toybox. Bargman etc.
Gerald Wagner
Yes LED lights are brighter, light up quicker and use less power than incadesant bulbs on vehicles but there is one safety concern for the northern states and Canada that is worth consideration.
Led bulbs run very cool and in the winter time will not melt the snow that accumulates on them when driving, therfore causing a potential safety problem. School buses and heavy trucks here in Canada are removing or considering the removal of LED’s for this reason. May be worth considering.
Lug_Nut
Gene, Thanks, I’m glad you found the topic of interest. Thanks for the great input.
Lug_Nut
Janaia Donaldson, Perhaps an article I did last year might help. Link here.
http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/innovative-rv-lighting-are-led-lights-worth-the-money/
Thanks for your interest and input.
Gene
LUG_NUT , Great article. I have just finish researching my rig for a Led upgrade. My back light are made by Bargman and they have an LED upgrade, My side and front turn signal are made by Grote. These two light Newmar had them made for them and are no longer available from them or Grote. My unit is a 99 so some Rv manuafactory did have lights made just for them. Winnbeago was another one that I ran across that has a lot of light made just for them. But like you said , do your research and it will pay off.
Janaia Donaldson
Folks, we’re wanting to replace the INTERIOR lights with LEDs so there’s less power draw, esp. when dry-docking. Any suggestions?
And as a bonus, we’re looking for a portable device that has enough LED lights that we can use for lighting guests to tape videos — something with a more focused narrow but bright light. We have used a compact fluorescent in a spotlight housing with a silver reflector, which we clamp in place). Thanks!
Lug_Nut
Kyle, In time I also believe they will be standard on pretty well all vehicles. Thanks for the input.
Kyle
Great tip on the manufacturer for the light housing. I am seeing a lot more of toy haulers going this route ( using LED’s ). I think the whole market will eventually go this way.
Lug_Nut
mark, Thanks for the link. I guess they have will-fit LED’s to replace the standard tail light bulbs. Thank you for sharing that with us and for your input.
mark
go to http://www.superbrightled.com they have all the sizes you need for cars trucks and rvs
Lug_Nut
Ray B, Glad you found the topic of interest. Nice work on matching the washer tank. As you have already found, many components are in fact standard automotive available parts. Thank you for your input on this topic.
Ray B
Great article. I plan on finding out whose taillight assembly I have on my ’06 Born Free and, if possible, making the switch to LEDs. I had to replace the windshield washer bottle on my ’85 Southwind and found out that it was OEM on ’76 Cadillacs.
Lug_Nut
G Shea, Have you identified where the tail light assembly originated? You could replace the entire assemblies or, as suggested by Mort, just the bulb itself. That is if you really want to go LED in them also. Thank you for your participation and input on this topic.
G Shea
Question for Lug Nut…I have a 2002 Nomad travel trailer. What would be best for the rear lights on it? The clearance lights and porch night lights were easy to find and work great. I was always burning out porch lights, but not now. G Shea
Lug_Nut
Billk, Great tip. I was aware of determine the year on an assembly, but not the make. I will have to look at that. Thank you for the tip and your valued input.
Lug_Nut
Alpenliter, It certainly sounds like you feel that they are worth the money, and apparently for good reason. I fully agree with the extra safety of have extra bright stop lights, not to mention the light up speed. The brightness is a great help particularly if driving into a setting sun as the tail lights tend to seem washed out. Thank you for sharing your experience on using LED tail lights and your valued input.
Billk
If you look closely on your tail light lens you will find a code number and manufacture. google the number and manufacture and you will find what model it came from. I have an AllegroBus and it has Ford Ranger tail lights.
Alpenliter
I spent about $250 upgrading my taillights on our Alpenlite. These new LEDs will blister your retinas if you’re following too close! Today, I think they paid for themselves. Had to do a panic stop and the folks behind me all stopped in time. Was it the lights? Maybe. I like to think so.
Lug_Nut
Art, Also the Great American Chrome Shop sell some awesomely bright standard round assemblies that many tractor trailers use. Check them out on the web. Thanks for your input.
Art
I pull a trailer that for all piratical purposes blocks my Coach lights. I have considered swapping out the standard trailer lights with LED units. The trailer lights are the fairly common oval shaped units, which can be removed easily and replaced with LEDs, at about $35 each, and are available at most automotive type stores.
Art
Lug_Nut
Mort, Great point, but many are too small and can result in “not-so bright” operation. But, certainly, you are right, some will work. Part of the custom application though may be to change the non-lite look, smoked, black, clear, etc. Thanks though for the great tip and your excellent input.
Mort
UPDATE!!!!!
There are many manufacturers of LED bulbs that will fit your present lights without replacing the whole unit at a fraction of the cost. Just Google LED taillights. Mort
Lug_Nut
William, It is great to hear from a person that drove professionally. Your opinion is very interesting and obviously important. Thank you for your comment and input.
Lug_Nut
Gerald Strickland, I appreciate your position on this, however, there are people that have had tail light issues. Water entering the assembly has been common on some designs. But, apart from that, many people would probably pay $250/300 to add them, and that’s just for personalizing, let alone the other benefits. Thank you for sharing your valuable opinion on this topic and for your input.
William
As a retired over the road driver I can tell you I was ecstatic to see the LED light come out on the Big Rigs. I can tell you the industry would not have put them on there fleet if it were a fad. I respect the other comments but for safty there should never be a cost issue. The trick to staying out of an accident whether your pulling 80K Lbs on a Low Boy or a small camp trailer is to #1 Be seen by other drivers and then the speed and other issues. I feel anything you can do for safty is worth it as did the trucking industry.
Gerald Strickland
L.E.D. lamps are great but not worth the price of replacing the entire taillight assembly (in my opinion). This is my 4th motor home and I have never had to replace a tail light bulb. Once I thought a bulb had burned out but it was simply a bad ground. On the other hand, I have had to replace interior bulbs, porch light and security light bulbs.