Semi Truck Trailer Turn Signal Lights

When you're pulling a trailer, you want to be certain sure that other drivers can clearly see it and know what your intentions are. To ensure that, your trailer turn signal lights must be in working condition and bright enough to be seen both in fine and bad weather. They are crucial for your safety, reducing the risk of road accidents, and especially, rear-end collisions. Trailer turn signal lights duplicate your vehicle's turn signal lights, providing the same functionality and principle of operation. When you move the turn signal lever on your steering column, you engage not only your vehicle's lights, but also the matching ones on your trailer.

Regardless of the type of your trailer, its turn signal lights must comply with the US government's requirements for trailers. This set of regulations defines how many lights your trailer must have and where they should be located. Their quantity and placement also depend on the length and width of the trailer, and its type. However, no matter what trailer you have, its rear turn signal lights must be located on the same height above the ground, usually from 15" to 83", and at the same distance from the trailer's vertical center line, while being as far apart as possible.

As a general rule, trailers come equipped with all necessary lights from the factory. Turn signal lights are no exception. If you purchase a new trailer, you can rest assured that it has the right turn signal lights already installed. If one of them fails to operate, most likely you'll be able to find a replacement and will not have to purchase a new set. Replacement turn signal lights are installed the same way as your original assemblies, so no modification to the wiring as well as no new brackets and mounting hardware will be needed to have the job done.

If your original equipment turn signal lights are not bright enough to be seen in sunny weather or you're not pleased with their look, you may replace them with aftermarket assemblies. The majority of aftermarket turn signal lights require no or several minor modifications to install, but come with brighter bulbs and have a more stylish design. While most factory trailer turn signal lights utilize standard halogen bulbs which are not very bright and get dimmer over time, many aftermarket lights come with LED bulbs, which are extremely bright and serve twice or three times longer than their halogen counterparts.

Trailer turn signal lights can either be integrated into tail lights or come as stand-alone assemblies. If you have separate turn signal lights, you can replace or upgrade them without having to do the same to other rear lights. In case they are integrated turn signal lights, you'll need to purchase a set of tail lights to have your turn signal lights upgraded. You can also equip your turn signal lights with brighter bulbs if you're pleased with the look of your assemblies and your only goal is better visibility. This option will work for both stand-alone and integrated turn signal lights.