LED lights under the trailer

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Aggravated Owner, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. Aggravated Owner

    Aggravated Owner Light Load Member

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    So, this evening I'm driving down I-20 here in Shreveport and saw a beautiful Pete pulling a 48 foot Mac step deck (empty). This driver had his rig lit up with dark blue lights in certain places and plenty of chicken lights that you could see from the moon, probably. No doubt this driver/company has mucho pride in their equipment, However, regarding his trailer, there was a beautifully lit underside on his step deck that broadcast a dark blue light on the interstate. Personally, I thought it was sorta cool looking, but my question is, is this illegal? I've seen plenty of tractor's tricked to the 9's on lights of all colors, but I thought trailers were off limits and frowned upon with the DOT.

    Last time I saw something like this was a Nascar Hauler that had red under lights beneath his featherlight trailer.

    Any info?
     
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  3. glockwise

    glockwise Light Load Member

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    Technically, you can only run red and amber (and headlights of course). People have been running blue dots in the cat walk for decades. I think the DOT is more forgiving than they used to be with regards for lights. But your mileage may vary depending on mood.
     
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  4. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I think technically they cannot face forwards/rearward/to the side. However, facing down to the ground is another thing and you still see the glare, which technically is legal.
     
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  5. DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    I know in florida, when I had street glow neons under my ford explorer I spoke with a state trooper about it.

    He told me on my explorer any color other than blue or red was OK. You can have blue or red but only if your vehicle is stopped and the ignition is off (car show).

    I asked him about big rigs since I too have seen blue lights lighting up the cat walk. He told me he doesn't bother truckers as long as the lights cannot be seen directly from behind or forward. For instance you're not allowed to have front facing red lights, only amber or headlights. As far as under lighting goes, he told me he doesn't care with big trucks as long as they're not flashing or strobing since he feels people should have enough sense to know something as big as an 18 wheeler isn't an emergency vehicle.

    So yes, I believe most dot officers won't bother you about it, legal or not.
     
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  6. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    I had my air cleaners glowing with green lights inside. TN coop made me cut all the wires to them. Only homeland security can have green.
     
  7. Aggravated Owner

    Aggravated Owner Light Load Member

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    Wow. I sure didn't know that. But, if your lights weren't flashing in a manner that resembled any type of an emergency vehicle, that just seemed over the top. I mean, its in the air cleaner for goodness sake.
    Was he/she at least nice about it?
     
  8. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    Wow smokey bear. Expecting motorists to have shall we say "common" sense.
     
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  9. BiggG74

    BiggG74 Bobtail Member

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    I had green ones in Washington got a ticket 125 dollars. DOT told me only volunteer fire department can run green. You could only see them from the side. What an A-Hole!!! Asked Oregon DOT they told me as long as they weren't flashing they were fine. But he did say it depends on the officer though.
     
  10. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    No, he was a dick!
     
  11. SGTSmokdU

    SGTSmokdU Light Load Member

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    Super coop on 65 around 3rd shift?
     
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