How many boat trailer lights do I need on my trailer?

How many boat trailer lights do I need on my trailer? While you must have lights and reflectors that achieve all the above-listed functions, combination lights are commonly used greatly reducing the number of required components. For example, combination lighting units often serve as a brake light, tail light, turn signal, rear reflector, rear side marker lights, and rear side reflectors. Likewise, front side marker lights and front side marker reflectors are commonly grouped together.

LED trailer side marker lights have become the new standard. Their advantages include that they:

• Draw a fraction of the amperage that incandescent lights draw
• Operate at cooler temperatures
• Last longer
• More resistant to shock and vibration
• Typically brighter than incandescent lights
• Illuminate 2/10 of a second faster – which equates to 18′ when traveling at 65 mph
• Some LED’s are offered in voltage operating ranges allowing the lights on the trailer to operate regardless of whether the vehicle is putting out 12v or 24v.

Until fairly recently, the primary drawback of LED boat trailer lights until fairly was that they were expensive – commonly more than double their incandescent counterparts. However, this has changed, and LED light pricing has come down substantially.

Are Submersible Trailer Lights Necessary?

For trailering and launching a boat, submersible trailer lights are necessary for the simple and perhaps obvious reason that the rear of the trailer, including your lights, will be partially underwater.

You may be asking yourself why this is even a discussion point. The trailer lights and trailer light kits you can find at most hardware, home improvement, or farm and fleet type of stores can cause a bit of confusion. It is important to realize that these products are general trailer lights that are not submersible. They are great if you are hauling a utility trailer, a trailer with snowmobiles, or other non-marine applications where submersible lights are not necessary.

For a boat trailer,  non-submersible trailer lights will not be long for the world after one or two boat launches.