Trailer Lighting boards - Page 2

Downhilldai · 04 November 2009, 22:03

Maybe you should get a bright orange boat that stands out well.

I also think you're spending too much time looking in your rear view mirror at people 30+ feet behind you.

Anyway, back to the matter in hand:
Technically, the trailer board should be fixed to the trailer, not the load, so fixing it to the A-frame, could get you locked away in jail with no internet and no wife to play with.

JSP · 04 November 2009, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Maybe you should get a bright orange boat that stands out well.

I also think you're spending too much time looking in your rear view mirror at people 30+ feet behind you.

Anyway, back to the matter in hand:
Technically, the trailer board should be fixed to the trailer, not the load, so fixing it to the A-frame, could get you locked away in jail with no internet and no wife to play with.

That sounds really good!

What are the laws on having two sets of indicators and brake lights?

Downhilldai · 04 November 2009, 22:12

If they're fitted, then they have to work.

My mate's old mini 1275 GT

failed its MOT back in the '80s, because his high mounted brake lights (on the parcel shelf) weren't in the same horizontal or vertical plane as the original brake lights. Don't know if that remains a legal requirement - not even sure if it was valid at the time.

Never used that MOT station again

JSP · 04 November 2009, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

If they're fitted, then they have to work.

My mate's old mini 1275 GT

failed its MOT back in the '80s, because his high mounted brake lights (on the parcel shelf) weren't in the same horizontal or vertical plane as the original brake lights. Don't know if that remains a legal requirement - not even sure if it was valid at the time.

Never used that MOT station again

Oh great little car, went like a bishop on a porn set and you could throw it round corners like it was on rails!
It's easy enough to divert some wires to an extra set. Just be more of a pain to take unplug.
I got pulled once because I had a brake light out and I was expecting a ticket. But the copper said it wasn't illegal as I had two working brake lights, the high level brake light and one fo the mains. Just wanted to advice me and have a quick nosey around the car.

Worth looking into I think. Cheers DHD, again!!

9D280 · 05 November 2009, 10:49

On the hiogh level brake light theme.... as mentioned above I'm using a Bulgin Bucanner to top up the boat battery, and the thought occuured to me if I'm breaking into the trailer loom to charge the battery, (Euro lead to an IP rated box at the console where there will be a wire to the socket on the boat & a 7N for the lighting board) I also have some spare cores between console & A- frame, so fitting a High level Brake light will be a dawdle.

Ligthing board still on the trailer (therefore still legal & at legal heights etc) - What would the story be if I put a high level centre brake lamp on the A- frame? I guess it's still legal as the board itself is within the rules, the high level lamp being an "optional safety feature".

How likely an automotive light would be to survive up there is another discussion entirely......

nik · 05 November 2009, 11:14

I have been mulling over the correct position of the number plate, and I think the answer is here

The registration mark of the vehicle shall be fixed and displayed on both the front and the back of the vehicle, so that in normal daylight the letters and figures are easily legible from every part of the 'relevant area', the diagonal of the square governing the 'relevant area' being 75 feet.

For the purposes of this regulation, the expression 'relevant area' in relation to a registration mark on a vehicle means the area contained in a square described on the ground, either in front of or behind the vehicle, where one corner of the square is below the middle of the registration mark and the diagonal of the square from that corner is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, but excluding any part of the square within 10 feet of the vehicle - see diagram.

tonymac · 06 November 2009, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

I have been mulling over the correct position of the number plate, and I think the answer is here

The registration mark of the vehicle shall be fixed and displayed on both the front and the back of the vehicle, so that in normal daylight the letters and figures are easily legible from every part of the 'relevant area', the diagonal of the square governing the 'relevant area' being 75 feet.

For the purposes of this regulation, the expression 'relevant area' in relation to a registration mark on a vehicle means the area contained in a square described on the ground, either in front of or behind the vehicle, where one corner of the square is below the middle of the registration mark and the diagonal of the square from that corner is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, but excluding any part of the square within 10 feet of the vehicle - see diagram.

What happens if your number plate is off-centre as on a Mitzy Shogun?

wavelength · 06 November 2009, 20:55

it is of course an interpretation or precis of the regs-need to see the statutory instrument for the definitive text with all its and/ors and commas. Personally not got much of an issue with ready made boards as long as the inside of the lights are wd40'd and the screws that hold the lenses on are greased to stop the heads rusting away. Towsure do metal cages to screw over the lenses to protect from knocks and bangs. I put a white light on the front side of it connected thru the board to offside rear light so I can see its still there and others can see it coming under the black boat. Toying with the idea of fitting another set of red lights connected to opposite side sidelights so that if a wire fails then there is still one red light on that side of the board. And yes it does seem a good idea to have a second high level board for those long dark motorway trips, been going to do it for years-just never got a roundtuit!

JSP · 07 November 2009, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

it is of course an interpretation or precis of the regs-need to see the statutory instrument for the definitive text with all its and/ors and commas. Personally not got much of an issue with ready made boards as long as the inside of the lights are wd40'd and the screws that hold the lenses on are greased to stop the heads rusting away. Towsure do metal cages to screw over the lenses to protect from knocks and bangs. I put a white light on the front side of it connected thru the board to offside rear light so I can see its still there and others can see it coming under the black boat. Toying with the idea of fitting another set of red lights connected to opposite side sidelights so that if a wire fails then there is still one red light on that side of the board. And yes it does seem a good idea to have a second high level board for those long dark motorway trips, been going to do it for years-just never got a roundtuit!

Some good ideas there Dave thanks. I like the white light idea!