Trailer Light Bulb Replacement

[eyeman_1]

I have a burnt out bulb in my waterproof tail lights on a Trailmaster Trailer. When I open up the light, I find that there is a clear plastic cover over the bulb and socket within the light itself.

For the life of me, I can not figure out how to remove the clear plastic cover w/o destrying the thing, and it seems that this should be a simple thing. Obviously, I'm missing something that is obvious and need to know the trick to removing this cover, w/o destrying it. I'd appreciate any suggestions anyone can offer, as I'd rather be patient and do this the right way.

Thanks.

[josholson]

The clear plastic cover is held in by four screws on my trailer. There is also a gasket along the base of the cover, to help create a tight seal. Once the screws are pulled you may need to gently pry it off.

Check for screws, they might be small.

[Hot Runr Guy]

I wonder if you have the Wesbar sealed-capsule design? If so, look at this page: http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Acce...pm-Wesbar.aspx
the one on top is the sealed, non-serviceable version, the 3rd one down is designed to allow you to replace the inside bulbs.
HRG

[Nimstug]

Originally Posted by Hot Runr Guy

I wonder if you have the Wesbar sealed-capsule design? If so, look at this page: http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Acce...pm-Wesbar.aspx
the one on top is the sealed, non-serviceable version, the 3rd one down is designed to allow you to replace the inside bulbs.
HRG

That is the correct answer. I have a Trailmaster and you replace the whole unit. It's about $15. In theory, the sealed capsule is supposed to keep the water out.

Nimstug

....in theory.

[MarkG]

You can find those capsules at most any marine dealership. Pain in the butt to replace. Will have to splice it back into the trailer wiring.

[gdi]

Do yourself a favor get LEDS put them on and forget them. I replaced 2 capsuls a year on the same set up you have. Wesbar even sent me the replacments.


gdi

[Crappie Kid]

It definately sounds like a Wesbar sealed unit. which is quite common. I have a Trailmaster trailer and have only had to replaced one in 10 years. I never unplug my harness when launching. I see no reason to go LED yet. Next time I lose a bulb maybe then.

[MarkG]

Originally Posted by Crappie Kid

It definately sounds like a Wesbar sealed unit. which is quite common. I have a Trailmaster trailer and have only had to replaced one in 10 years. I never unplug my harness when launching. I see no reason to go LED yet. Next time I lose a bulb maybe then.

Same here,,only one capsule failure in the first 8 years I have owned this trailer,also a Trailmaster. Was going to replace with LEDs until I saw the price. Then decided 8 years was a good track record.

[bvs]

I launch and or retrieve in the dark really often and always leave the lights hooked up. I had both sealed units on my trailer burn out in the first 3 months. After the second burned out I replaced both with LED fixtures from wally world for about the same price (about $20 I think) as the incandescent fixtures from the trailer shop. This is one of the best purchases I ever made. A year later all the led's still shine bright and there isn't a single once of moisture inside either light.

[REW]

The wesbar sealed lights work very very well. You can typically go years without ever having to replace a bulb assembly.

If you do have to replace it, pop out the one screw, undo the wires, pop in the new assembly, resplice the wires and you are good to go.

Over the years, I had changed out a couple of assemblies.
When it came time to change out the next assembly, I followed the advice of others on the board and took all of the lights off the trailer and replaced them with LED style lighting assemblies.

One of the big issues, was the fact, that I have been having my boat pulled by quite a few other friends tow vehicles. Sometimes the wiring on some of these vehicles is a bit subpar. As a result, the much lower current draw of the led light bulbs, allows for good lighting even with marginal grounds that would completely blank out normal bulb style lighting.

REW