Oversize LED strobe lights wiring between tractor and trailer

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by SophiaWYO, Oct 2, 2021.

  1. SophiaWYO

    SophiaWYO Light Load Member

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    Nov 22, 2020
    Wyoming
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    Good day everyone, I've been running more and more oversize loads lately and recently purchased some LED strobe lights for the rear of my stepdeck trailer. I'm looking for ideas/input about wiring in a switch or something. I've been debating adding a 4 pin smaller pigtail to the front of my trailer but have hesitated because I'm not 100% keen on drilling a sizeable mounting hole in the front plate. I've seen a lot of waterproof 12v switches but finding a suitable location out of the elements is key. Maybe add a high quality plastic box I can open and close and attach it somewhere?
    Any ideas would be helpful.

    Thanks in advance

    Sophia
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Why not just tap into the junction box for tail light power and then wire a weatherproof switch in series with the strobes. You'd have to have the tail lights on any time you need the strobes on though. Be a bit simpler than running a seperate harness down the trailer and adding in additional wiring in the truck.
     
    Caterpillar Cowboy Thanks this.
  4. Caterpillar Cowboy

    Caterpillar Cowboy Heavy Load Member

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    Grab hot power off somewhere in your running lights, they're supposed to be on with your headlights most any oversized permit's I've been involved with, fuse holder, or like @AModelCat said a weatherproof switch but yeah that gets your party lights working in short order.
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  5. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Most trailer mfg wire them off the tag light.
     
    JolliRoger and blairandgretchen Thank this.
  6. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Trailers that are wired will have a round plug in the back.

    You make up your own lights with a plug to plug in.

    I bought and made up 2 magnetic yellows and a red for each side of the trailer. From harbor freight. And wired it up. With the reds being unpluggable. For long loads.

    I just simply had to set out the lights and plug em in the back.

    I had it setup to be rollable. Like rolling up an extension cord.
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  7. PoleCrusher

    PoleCrusher Road Train Member

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    I just installed two amber strobes on the rear of our trailer. Spliced into constant power from the center taillight, ground to chassis. On/off and momentary toggle switches installed in the trailer side box.
     
    clausland Thanks this.
  8. SophiaWYO

    SophiaWYO Light Load Member

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    Nov 22, 2020
    Wyoming
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    Thanks for the ideas guys. I wound up installing 2 TRUX strobes at the edge of my trailer, there was already a hole there (possibly anticipating this) and I took power from a marker light since I run with my lights on when doing OD loads.
    There were 36 different patterns to choose from!! My girlfriends husband helped me, the poor guy, he was very patient as he toggled through the various pattern settings. I tried not being a "typical chick" but he did wind up having to scroll through at least 3X because I couldn't make up my mind!!
    Turned out really nice. Put a waterproof toggle switch at the rear of the trailer and I'm pleased with how everything turned out.
     
    PoleCrusher Thanks this.
  9. Charlie Best

    Charlie Best Light Load Member

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    Jul 8, 2019
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    Keep us posted on how this turns out in the future, curious to see how it holds up.
     
  10. SophiaWYO

    SophiaWYO Light Load Member

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    Nov 22, 2020
    Wyoming
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    Sure thing. My girlfriends husband is a truck mechanic, he watched over me as I wired everything up so I'm confident this will last at least 1 load
     
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