kris1002
New Member
Posts: 24
Likes: 6
Currently Offline
|
Post by kris1002 on May 4, 2014 6:12:43 GMT -8
Can anyone tell me why the front reflectors are orange ?
|
|
pirateslife
Active Member
Posts: 426
Likes: 137
1969 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by pirateslife on May 4, 2014 6:21:58 GMT -8
Orange or amber? If Amber it's standard
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on May 4, 2014 6:46:18 GMT -8
Red tail, clearance lights and reflectors are required on the rear of a vehicle/trailer. Amber is required on the front of a vehicle/trailer. This allows people to recognize which way the vehicle is traveling. The five - two setup that you see today became law in 1968 on vehicles above a certain size. You may not realize it but even automobiles are required to have rear facing reflectors but most are incorporated into the tail light lens. This is not a state law but a federal transportation manufacturing requirement. The five - two setup I mentioned above is five on the front with three of those near the center and one toward each side then one on each side near the corner, same on rear. Hope this helps.
|
|
pirateslife
Active Member
Posts: 426
Likes: 137
1969 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by pirateslife on May 4, 2014 15:21:10 GMT -8
Just curious, when I was putting mine back on, the side reflectors were all amber. I was thinking the rear side was supposed to be red myself. After looking at pics online, everyone of my gen had front and rear ambers?
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on May 4, 2014 15:30:19 GMT -8
Prior to 1968 I don't think there was a standard, after 68 they should be red to my knowledge.
|
|
wiartonwillie
Active Member
Posts: 108
Likes: 20
1953 McGuinness Silver Duke
Currently Offline
|
Post by wiartonwillie on May 4, 2014 16:15:12 GMT -8
My upper front side marker lights are green, the rears are red.
|
|
racerx
Member
Posts: 28
1968 Golden Falcon
Currently Offline
|
Post by racerx on May 4, 2014 16:16:30 GMT -8
The PO of my trailer replaced all the marker light covers. The three top ones on the front are amber but he put red covers on the front side marker lights. Easy and cheap fix though.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on May 4, 2014 19:31:45 GMT -8
My trailer only had rear marker lights on the side and they were amber, or something faded to a yellow. They could have just faded to that color from red, I suppose, but I thought it was strange. I have the correct modern replacements.
|
|
John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 575
Currently Offline
|
Post by John Palmer on May 4, 2014 19:43:31 GMT -8
Just remember that marker lights work only "when they are lit", and reflectors work "when the trailer is just sitting still un-lit". You need both.
I also like to use a piece of the semi trailer reflective tape under the rear of the trailer. It can be easily seem from behind on the highway, but does not take away from the vintage look of the trailer up close.
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on May 5, 2014 4:54:40 GMT -8
My trailer only had rear marker lights on the side and they were amber, or something faded to a yellow. They could have just faded to that color from red, I suppose, but I thought it was strange. I have the correct modern replacements. SusieQ I believe your trailer was made prior to 1968 so it had no requirements. The random use of clearance lights was what lead up to the mfgs. standard in 1968. The use of red and amber is a spill over from marine use of lights to tell which direction a ship is going by identifying port and starboard.
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on May 5, 2014 5:09:33 GMT -8
Just remember that marker lights work only "when they are lit", and reflectors work "when the trailer is just sitting still un-lit". You need both. I also like to use a piece of the semi trailer reflective tape under the rear of the trailer. It can be easily seem from behind on the highway, but does not take away from the vintage look of the trailer up close. I agree with john completely on the reflectors. You can not have to much reflective surface on your trailer when towing at night. Many of these old trailers tail lights don't show up at a distance like the modern tail lights we are used to. Picture this you are towing down the interstate at 50 or 60 mph on a dark rainy night and here comes a tired and sleepy semi driver at 80 mph. Now do you want him to see you when he is a quarter mile behind you or 50 feet when it is to late to turn? You can add modern high intensity reflective tape to your trailer in spots that people won't notice when parked but will be very plainly seen at night. The tape can be purchased in many places such as Tractor Supply at a reasonable cost. You may have noticed it on semi trucks as John said or on school buses and fire trucks, it makes a difference. The life you save could be your own.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on May 5, 2014 5:10:51 GMT -8
Bill that's interesting that you say it's a spill over from marine use. I don't really know what color was on the street side because it was completely gone. Maybe it was different. I have seen other Compacts with original amber on back. The evolution is interesting. Same is true with auto lights. They are dead give aways for dating them, even in modern times.
|
|