Hillbilly Trailer Lights

[G-Man]

Well, I bought an older alum boat, which of course included an older trailer with problematic lights. Trailer lights can be a PIA, eh?

I had to rerun the wiring, and always wanted to try building removeable setup that would never be underwater and maybe last 'forever". Here's my attempt, which so far works like a charm, and gives me that hillbilly look I so enjoy. :rolleyes:

Notes: A hinge in the middle for folding, removable zip ties to attach wiring to trailer (2), and plug in ground cable at front of trailer. Soldered all connections, plenty of No-Ex, home depot tubing and elec tape. ;)

Anyone else try such a thing?
-G

[Pauper Piscator]

I had same problem on my old trailer. Crappy lights.

Mounted two trailer lights on PVC pipe and stuck them in the rod holders on the stern. At the ramp, I pulled em off, coiled the wire and stuck them in the trunk. Never got wet. Never failed.

[BobG]

G-Man,

When I started boat fishing back in the mid-60's, that Hillbilly rig you described used to be the gold standard. For guys like myself who trailered his 18' aluminum boat all over Hell's creation, traditional trailer lights were a disaster. They would rust or burn out in two weeks.
I got pulled over by a cop in Pleasant Bay, Chatham one morning in 1969 or 70 for having burst,rusted out trailer and plate lights. The cop was a nice guy (I figured a fisherman also) and didn't give me a ticket. But, he showed me some boat trailers in Ryder's Cove with exactly the same set-up you have. He told me to get some 2x4's, some new lights, and rig up something just like it, and it will fly with the police all over Cape Cod.
I did, and was never without lights, nor pulled over by the police again. :brow

[SageBoy]

Never thought of it but after seeing it I like it! :brow So much I think I will do my own rig since my lights are not working all that great.

[glassguy]

Just a thought. I believe the trailer license plate has to be attached to the trailer when you leave it. So, if you are throwing that light bar in the back of your truck, after launch, remember to take off the plate and attach it to the trailer.

Bob