What could be causing this with clearence len's

[Tony T.]

I have a 28ft TT,keep it stored under a 20'x30' covered awning. The rear of trailer is toward the (east) an front faces (west). The rear five clearence light len'es keep busting,breaking,or cracking what ever you want to call it. All the rest are in perfect condition. When we were purchasing the trailer new I noticed three were busted then,dealership replaced. There are no tree limbs around to slap the back. I have not hit any limbs while backing. Noticed here a few months ago three were busted, trailer not moved an then couple weeks ago noticed other two busted. No wild kido's running around with BB guns. If it's the sun looks like the front amber one's would be broken since they face the west (more sun exposure). Do you think that there's enough condensation in the lens that the morning sun could be heating up inside causing enough pressure to bust them (just a theroy). It's a mystery to me.

 

[GerryDrake]

Broken lenses

If you are absolutely sure it isn't some kids, when you replace them next time, take a very small drill, like a 1/16" or even smaller, and in one of them drill a small hole in a lower corner, angling it back such that you have the best chance of avoiding rain. You might even want to drill a small vent hole through the back of it instead. Something that will allow the expansion to vent. If that one breaks, find those kids...

 

[Tony T.]

If you are absolutely sure it isn't some kids, when you replace them next time, take a very small drill, like a 1/16" or even smaller, and in one of them drill a small hole in a lower corner, angling it back such that you have the best chance of avoiding rain. You might even want to drill a small vent hole through the back of it instead. Something that will allow the expansion to vent. If that one breaks, find those kids...

Pretty sure it's not kids, if it were they are pretty good shots, no other indications of any dents or holes in the aluminum material at all. Back of trailer is on a 1 acre lot about 200 yards from a road. I'll try to drill the small hole on the new ones, an try that, I have some real small bits that would work ok I think. That's the only thing I believe it could be is the sun heating up the condensation an causing pressure. Never had this to happen on the other three trailers I use to own.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Are they mounted on a flat surface or are the backing plates bowed and causing them to stress fracture?

 

[Tony T.]

Are they mounted on a flat surface or are the backing plates bowed and causing them to stress fracture?

Prairie Dog, They are not flush or recess mounted, they have a backing plate I have not actually stood on a ladder at eye level with the lights to see if there is a bowing problem (lately), but from ground level all looks the same as the others on the trailer that's not affected. Each one does have a bead of clear silicone on top of each light or backing plate. The ones at front of trailer are fine,never been replaced,an they receive the west sun in the evening when it would be the hottest. I will check on the bowing affect though. I'll be checking things out more throughly tomorrow being the weekend.



Thanks for Reply's



Tony

 

[EricBu12]

Get rid of those POS Lights. I bought some 15 LED Lights that use the same mounting hole and are sealed and won't burn out.



Also, I don't know what kind of reg. Tail lights you have but I bought the LED Insert for my Desert fox trailer and they work great!

here is the site www.ledtrailerlights.com/cm/index.htm



Here are a few pics. go to the site and look at the photogallery, there are alot with good angles to show.

 

[Tony T.]

It's a quest for fire, now

Eric, those are some nice looking led's, I do like them, Maybe here some day will go to something like that, but all the lights are working fine on the rear even though len's are busted. That's the mystery to me, I'm going to figure out why there breaking. I think the next set I will try Gerry's idea of drilling a vent hole an see what happens. If they still break after that I may go ahead an invest in some good LED's.





Thanks for the Reply



Tony

 

[Ramtough]

If you find the kids that are breaking your clearance lights with BB guns without denting your trailer, I want them on my shooting team. I'll pay for the lights.

 

[GFritsch]

I would lay odds that it is a poor match between the lens and the mounting surface. When the lens is tightened it puts a tension on the lens that eventually causes a crack. This would explain why there were broken ones from the dealer. I would try leaving the screws on the loose side, or modifying the camper or lens.

 

[Tony T.]

I would lay odds that it is a poor match between the lens and the mounting surface. When the lens is tightened it puts a tension on the lens that eventually causes a crack. This would explain why there were broken ones from the dealer. I would try leaving the screws on the loose side, or modifying the camper or lens.

GFritsch: These are the snap-on type lens (top five across the back of trailer), no screws what so ever. The bottom two tail lights are perfect condition, still look new, no cracks what so ever, trailer is four years old an all, but the five rear clearence on the rear look as if I just bought them an installed yesterday. All are factory lens no after market.



Ramtough: If I catch them I want be mad I'll get them to teach me to shoot that good also, heck I'll quit my job an start touring the country, LOL.