trailer light kits

Staff, Courtesy of Linkitom

Trailers are a fantastic way to haul big and heavy equipment, even if most of us are still trying to ace backing one out of the driveway. However, before you can even think about starting your tow vehicle, certain requirements need to be met. The most obvious and important factor being that your trailer has to have the proper lights and reflectors installed. This is paramount to maintain visibility to other road users and, most importantly, let them know when you’re slowing down or changing lanes.

What To Consider

Unlike many other aftermarket products in the automotive industry, trailer lights are painfully simple. The biggest differentiators between models involve light technology, waterproofing, mounting systems, and trailer compatibility.

Light Technology

Although LED lights are widely used essentially everywhere, any car buff knows that incandescent bulbs are still alive and well in the automotive industry. Incandescent kits are cheaper than LED options, but the additional cost comes with increased durability and longevity. LED bulbs are often easier to seal from moisture with conformal coatings, too.

Waterproofing

Basic kits use incandescent bulbs shrouded in a water-resistant light pod with a gasket. These cheaper kits aren’t meant to be submerged; the gasket is mostly implemented to keep moisture out. Mid-range kits still use incandescent lights but employ the bell jar principle to keep water away. Without getting into a detailed physics lesson, this is what allows you to submerge an upside-down drinking glass without the water filling up the entire cup. Meanwhile, the cream of the crop kits have LED bulbs that are permanently sealed and waterproof. Water-resistant lights will be perfectly fine for routine towing jobs where you might experience wet weather, but definitely choose a fully waterproof kit if you plan on hauling, launching, and docking any watercraft.

Mounting Systems and Compatibility

Equally important are the mounting systems included for the light pods. Be sure to look for brackets that offer plenty of adjustability. It’s not uncommon that trailers are bent in all sorts of different directions, leading to attachment holes that aren’t perfectly aligned. Thankfully the majority of kits on this list will give you more adjustability than you’ll likely need.

Last comes trailer compatibility, which is more universal than you’d think but still important to consider. Check whether your trailer is over or under 80 inches wide. If it is wider, Department of Transportation regulations require you to run clearance lights.

How We Selected

I’ve been obsessed with all things automotive from a young age and have spent years covering the automotive industry. To find the best trailer light kits, I took a deep dive into review sites, including Best Reviews and Etrailer, as well as Amazon customer feedback to get a feel for which sets are worth your dollar. I compared models based on their light technology, waterproofing, mounting hardware and compatibility, as well as cost and features, such as the inclusion of a wiring loom or license plate holder. Keep reading to find which one suits your needs best.

Best Overall

Blazer International C7280

Blazer International
amazon.com

$46.32

Key Specs

  • Light Type: LED
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Compatibility: Over 80 in.

This kit from Blazer offers up everything you would ever want from a light kit. Not only does it run LED bulbs, but the light pods are also sonically sealed to keep moisture out. Should any of the seals fail, Blazer also went the extra mile and coated all of the electronics in a water-resistant epoxy. Beyond the lights, this kit includes everything you need to get going: a wiring harness, license plate bracket, mounting hardware, and instructions. With its universal compatibility and sub-$50 price tag, it’s tough to compete with this set.

  • Excellent waterproofing
  • Kit includes everything you need
  • Cheap license plate holder
  • Somewhat pricey

Best Value

MaxxHaul 70094

MaxxHaul
amazon.com

$15.99

Key Specs

  • Light Type: Incandescent
  • Waterproof: No
  • Compatibility: Under 80 in.

Despite lacking some of the features found in nicer kits, this collection from MaxxHaul is great for beginners or anyone who won’t tow and launch watercraft. Although the included incandescent lamps might not last as long as the LEDs in some of the other kits, they’re much cheaper to replace. Plus, you can easily take apart the light pods with four screws to swap bulbs if they go haywire. Although MaxxHaul lists the kit as being compatible with trailers under 80 inches wide, it still includes the necessary clearance lights that meet DOT restrictions.

CZC Auto
amazon.com

$25.99

Key Specs

  • Light Type: LED
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Compatibility: Over 80 in.

Although these lights from CZC Auto don’t come with a wiring loom, customers had high praise for them. Many buyers noted the super-easy installation onto their existing wiring infrastructure, along with the lights’ reliability. One review mentioned completely submerging them once a week in salt and fresh water with no corrosion issues. For under $30, it’s hard to top the value you get with these lights.

  • Reliable—even when submerged for long periods of time
  • Easy to install

Best LED Upgrade

Partsam ‎Under 80-Inch Marine Square LED

Partsam
amazon.com

$17.59

Key Specs

  • Light Type: LED
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Compatibility: Under 80 in.

If you’re looking to upgrade from incandescent bulbs to LEDs, these lights from Partsam are for you. Partsam is a well-trusted brand with previous experience building lighting systems for big rigs, cars, and trucks. This kit is also the top-rated pick on Amazon. Aside from the accolades, the lights themselves are built to last with LED bulbs and IP68 waterproofing. Just note these lights don’t come with a wiring loom, so you’ll need to supply your own.

Maximum Visibility

Linkitom LED Submersible Trailer Tail Light Kit

Linkitom
amazon.com

$38.99

Key Specs

  • Light Type: LED
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Compatibility: Under 80 in.

It’s no surprise that it’s hard to stand out from the crowd when it comes to selling trailer lights. That’s why this kit from Linkitom includes a unique halo light pattern for a unique look, along with a wiring harness that’s 25 feet long—the longest on the list. It’s also the only kit listed that includes additional reflectors to further increase visibility. Hundreds of Amazon reviews also mentioned the kit was easy to install.

  • Unique light pattern
  • Lengthy 25-foot wiring harness

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By ev3v4hn