I could not believe what I found!!

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I finally received my led replacement bulbs for my running lights. So today
was a nice day here in Florida, no snow, no minus temps. It was a good day to put in my new LEDS.

First off I replaced the three light bulbs on each side of my beloved ROCKY 5Th wheel. Then I set out to replace the five rear red running light bulbs.

Here is where I discovered water had been in each and all five red lights on the rear. There was indications of the lights had been full all the way up to the top of three of the lights. The other two, only half way full up to the bulb socket. I guess the water could not go any higher for it was (water) draining into the rear wall through the light socket!!!!!!!! I hope not?

I cleaned all the rusty residue, replaced screws with new ones.

I drilled 1/16" hole in the bottom of the red lens in the center of the lens.
I also drilled a 1/16" hole in the light frame in the center bottom.

Caution, do not drill too close to the edge of the red lens for it will cause the lens to crack.

After replacing the lens, I applied silicone caulk to the top of the lens groove.

I will keep a close eye on the rear lights from now on for water leakage.

It is advisable to check your rear red running lights for water or signs of water has been in the lights,


Good LUCK!

[TURBS]

Was there not silicone around light bases to begin with?

[DAISY BOYKIN]

Turbs, the only caulking or silicone that was on the lights was on the white base where they were attached to the rear wall.

The water got inside the lights where the top of the wall rolls down from the roof. The water drains down from the roof over the roll down to the white base of the lights. At this point the water makes its way into the light fixture where the red lens snaps to the white base.

Maybe some of the later towables has a flat rear wall to accommodate the arched newer roof. Mine is a Rockwood 2011 fifth wheel.

[SaskCampers]

Something I will be checking as soon as it gets a little warmer outside. I can see that being an issue for many units regardless of brand.

Thanks for the heads up.

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN

I finally received my led replacement bulbs for my running lights. So today
was a nice day here in Florida, no snow, no minus temps. It was a good day to put in my new LEDS.

First off I replaced the three light bulbs on each side of my beloved ROCKY 5Th wheel. Then I set out to replace the five rear red running light bulbs.

Here is where I discovered water had been in each and all five red lights on the rear. There was indications of the lights had been full all the way up to the top of three of the lights. The other two, only half way full up to the bulb socket. I guess the water could not go any higher for it was (water) draining into the rear wall through the light socket!!!!!!!! I hope not?

I cleaned all the rusty residue, replaced screws with new ones.

I drilled 1/16" hole in the bottom of the red lens in the center of the lens.
I also drilled a 1/16" hole in the light frame in the center bottom.

Caution, do not drill too close to the edge of the red lens for it will cause the lens to crack.

After replacing the lens, I applied silicone caulk to the top of the lens groove.

I will keep a close eye on the rear lights from now on for water leakage.

It is advisable to check your rear red running lights for water or signs of water has been in the lights,


Good LUCK!

Water can mess up lights, huh? You just reminded me to drill holes in the bottom of all my lens covers. I drill 1/8" hole with a sharp bit and let the weight of the drill do the pushing. It seems strange that water can come in through at the top and not drain out the bottom as fast. I have seen this in the past and keep forgetting to take care of it. Also, in the case of those of us with outside mounted batteries in plastic boxes, I have experienced water can come in through top vent holes and with no drain holes in the bottom of the box, fill the box with water. I store my TT under an RV carport, so this doesn't happen, but I will be sure that can't happen either, since I will be hosting soon and it will be outside alot.

[bakken]

I prefer to melt holes in plastic, rather than drill. Much less chance of cracking. I just heat up a nail close to red hot, of whatever size hole I need. Quick, easy, and never have a crack.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I broke one of my red lens by drilling a 1/8" hole too close to the edge. I tried three places before I found a replacement lens. WalMart does not have the right size, Auto zone does not have them, They can be found at Northern Tools for the exact whole light for $3.99.

I also replaced my tail lights with LED SUBMERSIBLE boat trailer lights. I also replaced the red lens screws with Stainless Screws.

The led lights appear to be 10X brighter than the original. I can really tell the difference when I apply my turn signal to change lanes as the traffic behind me seems to notice the brighter light, they are super bright!!!!!!!

[F.R.O.G.]

Sid, too bad you didn't have them before that idiot decided to park inside you trailer!

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I don't think waterproof, no waterproof, 1000 lights would have made any
difference when the Expedition hit me!

Take a look and see what you think? Oh, he missed one of the lights! WOW, can't believe one light survived.

Believe it or not, a 1996 ford Expedition will fit inside a 26' Flagstaff, well almost.

No, he was not texting!

[YoungKopernik]

I pulled my light covers off and did find moister in the rear running lights, just a couple drops but something I'll have to watch.

[Indymule]

Melting the hole!

That's a good idea I would not have thought of.
Makes sense, I guess that's why I wouldn't think of it.

I'll give it a try!

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN

I don't think waterproof, no waterproof, 1000 lights would have made any
difference when the Expedition hit me!

Take a look and see what you think? Oh, he missed one of the lights! WOW, can't believe one light survived.

Believe it or not, a 1996 ford Expedition will fit inside a 26' Flagstaff, well almost.

No, he was not texting!

Lucy.... I'm home!
Looks like it time for a few upgrades, starting with a very heavy and large back bumper!

Oh... about the drain holes... I popped off the lenses (which we know can be cracked while drilling) one at a time and instead of drilling the lense, I drilled from the inside out, on both bottom corners of each lens. The white plastic base is not prone to cracking like the lens. You just have to be careful to not let the drill hit the trailers skin... lean the drill motor as vertical as possible and drill slowly. I didn't have a trace of water, only dust. The battery box already had drain holes from the factory... I think the brand is NOCO... yea! and American Company in Indiana! Buy American when you can!

Melting the holes is a good idea. I think I read this in Mechanic Illustrated several years back, but had forgotten it. The wonderful thing about getting old is you meet new friends every day!

[kz08h5]

I check one of my rear clearance lights late last summer because it wasn't working. I could not believe my eyes. The lenses just snap in place. There is nothing to keep moisture out. There was enough corrosion make all the rear clearance lights intermitent. To make matters worse, I didn't get one of the lense covers snapped back on correctly and it came off in transit. So now the To Do list is changing all the clearance light fixtures to sealed fixtures.

[5wJoe]

DAISY BOYKIN: So I am going to ask a stupid question: Why replace working running lights with LED, when the power consumption occurs while the trailer is connected to the TV? I understand interior lights, but do not get the exterior light replacement.
Joe

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by 5wJoe

So I am going to ask a stupid question: Why replace working running lights with LED,

LED replacements are typically much brighter.

[KyDan]

My clearance lights have a sort of O-ring around the white base that is
supposed to help seal the snap/push on red/amber cover.
Upon close inspection I discovered that they actually have a built in drain
notch on one side.
Guess what??
Apparently the morons who installed mine paid absolutely no attention
to this drain detail. About half of mine are mounted with the drain notch
UP and the rest with the notch facing Down

Since the notch is part of the base which is nicely caulked and screwed to
my trailer, turning the offending marker lights over would be a real PIA.
I've just left them as is for now. So far they have not filled up with
water but now that you mention it, I have a small leak in my rear bathroom
window. There are 3 marker lights above it. I better go check-- I bet that's
where the water is getting in and not the window itself.

[jriddering]

I was getting the bulb number on my running lights this weekend and when I took off one of the covers, it was dirty and you could tell water had been in it. I will check all my lights now.
Thanks for the heads up

[OL Creeker]

Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN

I finally received my led replacement bulbs for my running lights. So today
was a nice day here in Florida, no snow, no minus temps. It was a good day to put in my new LEDS.

First off I replaced the three light bulbs on each side of my beloved ROCKY 5Th wheel. Then I set out to replace the five rear red running light bulbs.

Here is where I discovered water had been in each and all five red lights on the rear. There was indications of the lights had been full all the way up to the top of three of the lights. The other two, only half way full up to the bulb socket. I guess the water could not go any higher for it was (water) draining into the rear wall through the light socket!!!!!!!! I hope not?

I cleaned all the rusty residue, replaced screws with new ones.

I drilled 1/16" hole in the bottom of the red lens in the center of the lens.
I also drilled a 1/16" hole in the light frame in the center bottom.

Caution, do not drill too close to the edge of the red lens for it will cause the lens to crack.

After replacing the lens, I applied silicone caulk to the top of the lens groove.

I will keep a close eye on the rear lights from now on for water leakage.

It is advisable to check your rear red running lights for water or signs of water has been in the lights,


Good LUCK!

I replaced mine a few months ago. Makes for a safer trip knowing my signals are more visible. To say nothing of the brake lights!

[MikeInColo]

...was a nice day here in Florida, no snow, no minus temps.

I'm sorry but I couldn't get past the "no snow, no minus temps" remark.

We are talking Florida, right? Does it snow in some parts of Florida?

[QuietTimes]

Hi Sid - there was a thread the other day about riding in TT's while being pulled. Perhaps you can post those pictures there for those who thought it might be okay. Hope you fared well with insurance. I can't imagine what that felt like in the TV. Glad you were okay.