Interesting thought...

[Tony]

Not really a thought but more of something that I haven't thought of in the past. It popped up on another forum last night and started me scratching my head.

How many are running Cab/Chassis trucks? Have you looked at your tail lights?
It was pointed out that the stock location of the C/C lights are too far inboard. Meaning this...

The stock location of the tail-light package installed from the factory is blocked by the trailer. In light traffic, how many time would that 4-wheeler next to you(at or slightly behind your drives) ignored your turn-signal. Not that they don't ignore you anyway... but that they simply didn't see your turn signal flashing since the trailer was blocking the view.

Think I'm going to figure out a simple extension for this issue. I really don't want to move the lights to the end of my mudflap brackets since they really get moving going down the road. But maybe an extension arm from the frame to bring them out. I'm not the type of person to invest heavily into parts like light bars just due to their cost. But maybe I'll just fab them up.

Just a thought... DOT doesn't require that they be moved. They still fit within required lighting regs, but I personally have thought that they should be farther out just for appearance sake. But this was a whole new thought after being pointed out that a 4-wheeler would miss the flashing if they were ahead of the trailer lighting.

Not that a 4-wheeler would move anyway... but at least you could say that you definitely had your turn signal on before running him off the shoulder anyway :D

[Buster]

Tony, you make a good point, but If you look at the rear of a factory big rig, the tail lights are in the same location as our Dodges. When fab'ing a bracket to extend them out, remember they are incandesant lights and fragile to vibration. You might want to concider LED's as a replacement.

[Tony]

You are absolutely correct in that regard.

As this is simply a thought, I figure I will elaborate on the differences.

On a larger class-8 truck, you will also see indicators visible from the sides of their trucks(on the tractor). Which we obviously do not have. I'm not saying that the 4-wheeler will repsect it and get out of the way, but it helps. Their size helps alot more than the light does when he starts taking his lane ;)

As far as the outboard extension, that is correct as well. But you will notice that all full fender trucks are typically running lightbars as well as center panels. In our case, either one will vibrate to no end. Even lightbars and lighted mudflap holders that are packaged come with LED's. But in my case in particular, the roads near me... the LED's would probably pop out of the holes anyway. My incandescent bulbs get replaced more frequently than most drivers' underwear. The toll roads are especially ferocious here... so normal bulbs don't survive long and I find myself replacing with rough service bulbs if and when I run across them. But I have been on the lookout for LED socketted replacements for the OEM bulb... I'm too cheap to buy replacement lamp assemblies. I prefer function over style... and most are made for function but priced for style. ;)

[ccoop769]

I bought the $50 dollar LED Taillights from walmart. Got over 150,000 miles logged with no burnouts

[Tony]

I bought the $50 dollar LED Taillights from walmart. Got over 150,000 miles logged with no burnouts

Yeah, I noticed those :)

[ra57.2008]

Tony I've run across the LED replacements on e-bay. the company was out of cal. I'll see if i can find it again and post it for you.

[Hoofbeats]

Tony, you make a good point, but If you look at the rear of a factory big rig, the tail lights are in the same location as our Dodges. When fab'ing a bracket to extend them out, remember they are incandesant lights and fragile to vibration. You might want to concider LED's as a replacement.

Half the time the right side one on a Freightliner doesn't work anyway.Most European trucks have full lights over their mudflaps.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa68/HoofBeats_78/4x4%20Van/Iraq/SANY0084.jpg

[ColoradoRVHauler]

Run a couple leads back from the front turn signals and run some small super brite leds off of the miror. Since doing this people give me better way when needing to change lanes.

Carey