What’s the Law?

What’s the law in Minnesota regarding those running lights on boat trailers? Specifically, the red lights that run along the rear of the trailer. (Between the tail-lights) And the Yellow lights that run along the sides?

I have a couple that are blown out and did not plan on fixing them. (One Red, One Yellow) A friend of mine stated that they are required. I can’t find the regulation anywhere!

On my last trailer those yellow side lights were simply “Spliced” into the main wire going back to the tail-light. This was the area of the wire that eventually failed after only one season of use. When I re-wired the trailer, I did not include the side lights. I plan to do the same on this trailer if it is not illegal.

The trailer is under a 17’ 10” boat… so roughly 18-19 foot trailer.

Jon J.

I’ve riden a lot with the Local PD and never heard of anyone ever getting pulled over becouse a clearance light wasn’t working. But the tail lights and brake lights are required for your appication. You must have the brake and tail markers working.
Also another tip:
If you are rewiring the trailer anyway run a ground wire to all your lights instead of relying on the trailer metal as the ground. You will have less problems with the lights.

My cousin the the Frame guy said, when we were admiring all the fancily lit up big rigs traveling across the interstate one night, “that if any of those lights weren’t working that a crabby highway patrolman could ticket them for every light not working” but I have not seen or heard of it personally. Would be interesting to know for why,what and how come, especially if it’s not a safety issue?
If it can be found Jon J. or somebody else on this board will know how to find it.
Any truckers scanning the board???

I would say for the sake of not gettig pulled over or being hasseled, or even chancing a ticket. a light bulb or a new running light is cheaper than a ticket or the loss of precious time of getting to the lake. it is your call, if it was me, i hate when lights don’t work, including running lights.

thanks

shane

Quote:

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I would say for the sake of not gettig pulled over or being hasseled, or even chancing a ticket. a light bulb or a new running light is cheaper than a ticket or the loss of precious time of getting to the lake. it is your call, if it was me, i hate when lights don’t work, including running lights.

thanks

shane

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Here’s the deal…..

If the lights are not required by LAW, I will remove them completly off the trailer! One less thing to worry about or go haywire on me!

I have Wesbar tail-lights that are completly sealed from the water. My experiance with these lights has been great. I have never had to replace a burnt out bulb. …Never! (I have run them on my current and last trailer for a total of 4+ years) The running lights are not sealed and blow out. They look great when they work, but I don’t really care about looks on a trailer that get’s a ton of use.

I really need to know what the Law states.

Thanks in advance,

Jon J.

the only light that have to work on the trailer are your directionanl indicators, break, and hazzard. so pretty much the ones that you have sealed up. if they aren’t broken, then don’t worry about it.

shane

Jon,

The laws no doubt vary depending on which state you’re traveling in, not the state you’re from.

I can appreciate “the fewer the number of lights, the fewer the problems” but I always unplug my trailer lights before launching – sealed lights or not, and avoid the risk of having a short because of a nicked wire, etc. by doing so.

With so many bad drivers on the road I want ALL of the lights working on my trailer – it can’t hurt!

Good luck.

Dan

Jon-

To the best of my knowledge, they are not required. Only working taillights, and brake and turn signals. Two of the three of mine don’t work, and I have had it “on the list” to remove them for some time now. I think that rather than fix them, becuase really, what purpose do they serve(???), it’s best to take them off. Of course, you’re talking to a guy who currently has no fenders on his trailer….
Greg

I believe that the law in most states requires all trailers that are more than 80″ wide carry red identification lamps in the rear. You can check your states dmv website for the exact wording.

Gator Hunter

Jon,

I am not sure about the lights in between the tail lights, but I remember reading that trailers longer than “X” must have the yellow side lights.

Ok guys, I finally got the answer! After much searching on the web, several calls to the Dept of Vehicle Services (DMV)and Dept of Transportation (DOT) no help there…. I went right to the source of a possible ticket! I called the Minnesota Highway Patrol. Here is the LAW.

All trailers wider than 80 inches as measured at the wheel base must have marker lights. There must be a minumum of 3 in the rear (Red) and at least one Yellow on each side.

Is this something I can get pulled over and ticketed for? “You Bet!”

Guess I’ll be fixing a few broken lights tonight…..

Jon J.

I knew you could research an answer for this J.
Youdaman!

Great! . I guess I will be, too.