Trailmaster: Wesbar Taillight bulb replacement?

[MarkG]

Have a 2001 Trailmaster that needs the Taillight bulb replaced. Took the lens
off and discovered a sealed unit inside the housing. Disassembled the assembly from the trailer hoping I could get to the bulb from the rear.

Was sealed in all directions. The wires were even potted in. Seemed like I would have to break the sealed part in order to actually get to the bulb. How do I replace it?

[Hot Runr Guy]

Those things are a real PITA. There are 2 versions available, the completely sealed one like you've got, and a version that opens to replace the bulb. IMO, they're both junk, so I've replaced my assemblies with LED units. Here's a part of the Wesbar catalog page, with the part #'s.
HRG

[speeddrive1]

You got that right. Every freakin time I take the boat out I have to replace bulbs in the tail lights.

[MarkG]

Hot Runr ,
Those permanent sealed capsules are the ones I have. Looks like I have to replace the whole capsule,which is going to be a PITA. But turns out they are available at most any dealer .Would have been a bit easier if they had at least put a quick disco connector of some sort. I have to say,though that until the bulb itself burned out,the capsule must have been quite effective. This is the 1st taillight issue I have had since I bought the trailer,7 years ago. There is no evidence of water or corrosion entering the lamp assembly. So I guess it will be worth the work to replace.

All THAT being said do you guys have a recommendation on brand /type LED taillight ? Since I am going to the trouble I might as well consider replacing them both with something better.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Mark,
These are the units I used to replace my Wesbar low-profile capsule units. REAL bright.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/331210/377%20710%201881/0/Trailer%20Lighting/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%201881&Ne=0&Ntt=Trailer%20Lighting&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5005&subdeptNum=17&classNum=589

HRG

[MarkG]

Thanks ! Those LEDs seem like the way to go.

[REW]

I have had the wesbar sealed units on my trailer for many years.
They worked very well. I never disconnected wires when I went in the water and had no problems with corrosion or breakage. Over the years, I think that I have had to replace each of the lights once.

I again had some intermittent troubles last spring so I decided to swap them out for a set of LED lights.

The wesbar lights worked fine, but since I often trail behind other vehicles, I found that the much lower current draw of the LED lights, typically gave fewer problems to some of my friends tow vehilce lighting setups.

However, I did have many years of trouble free service from the wesbar lights and have never had a single seal fail on the sealed bulb units.

It is not a big deal to swap out the bulb units. Disconnect the wires, remove one screw, pop out the old unit, drop in the new unit, and reconnect the wires.

Take care
REW

[MarkG]

REW,
Thanks, the Wesbars on my Trailmaster are cabled in with barrel connectors,then stuffed up in the channel. Also the way they are attached,must remove entire taillight assembly to untrap the wires. That's why the big pain. If I am going to all that trouble,might as well replace with LEDs because the amount of work is going to be the same.

Got one suggestion on LED set already,looked pretty good. What brand did you use?

[REW]

I found a good price on a set of trail blazer that I installed.
Good quality, and they work well.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200338570_200338570



Take care
REW

[RFerrell]

Have a 2001 Trailmaster that needs the Taillight bulb replaced. Took the lens
off and discovered a sealed unit inside the housing. Disassembled the assembly from the trailer hoping I could get to the bulb from the rear.

Was sealed in all directions. The wires were even potted in. Seemed like I would have to break the sealed part in order to actually get to the bulb. How do I replace it?
Wesbar trailer light dealer (http://www.trailerpartssupply.com/store/home.php?cat=330). Always in stock and good prices.

I am with Hot Runr guy ... LED is the way to go. They put out a brilliant more vibrant light. They can run a little more, but they run for up to 100,000 hours without having to replace them. plus ... they only use around 700 millionth of an amp.

Rick

[ebijack]

after replacing those dang lights to many times, i ended up taking tin snips, cut a big hole in the inside sealed plastic so i could just replace the bulb. got tired of that problem and like the others..LED
been happy ever since. ran a new harness also.

[Spawnwalker]

I'm having problems with my tailights. I've replaced the left side once about three years ago and it has failed again and the left side has decided to go out also at the same time.:( Trailmaster trailer with westbar lights. How are you guy's liking the LED's? Any problems?

[MarkG]

I never got around to replacing mine with LEDs. I replaced the Westbar capsule for 8 bucks,turned out not even to be the problem, ...had some chafed wires on the trailer connection on the truck. Replaced it and all my problems went away.

[Spawnwalker]

I never got around to replacing mine with LEDs. I replaced the Westbar capsule for 8 bucks,turned out not even to be the problem, ...had some chafed wires on the trailer connection on the truck. Replaced it and all my problems went away.

Where did you buy your westbar capsules? The lowest I found was 12 a piece.

[MarkG]

Where did you buy your westbar capsules? The lowest I found was 12 a piece.

Just lucky to find one at a local auto parts store,as an opened package item.

$12 is about right normally. Seen them cheaper online,but after shipping forget it,, unless buyin other stuff too.

[Rednek_]

I used a bandsaw to cut off the clear lens flush at the base. Replaced both bulbs and used 5 minute epoxy to secure the lens back on and it has remained water tight.

[Spawnwalker]

I used a bandsaw to cut off the clear lens flush at the base. Replaced both bulbs and used 5 minute epoxy to secure the lens back on and it has remained water tight.

Good idea.