Cab clearance lights – pros and cons when carrying a camper.

Bumpyroad wrote:

As far as Joe Cowboy putting them across his truck cab to look cool, if you look closer you'll probably see led lights under the tailgate, chrome naked lady mudflaps, diamond plate running boards, etc etc.

Looks good to me. LoL

Bumpyroad wrote:
I'll ask the same question that comes up frequently when other issues are discussed. is there any body here that has been stopped and ticketed for not having such clearance lights when operating in a normal RV fashion?
bumpy

Not that I've ever heard of, and I'd be really surprised if an RVer did get stopped.

One thing I've noticed is that some RV manufacturers don't follow the FMVSS 108 specs, which indicate that center ID marker lights are required over 80". The manufacturers leave them off.

I'll ask the same question that comes up frequently when other issues are discussed. is there any body here that has been stopped and ticketed for not having such clearance lights when operating in a normal RV fashion?
bumpy

I assume its the association with 'commercial' and 'weights' due to the fact that most are over 80" where you see ID lights. However the Federal and state codes specifically dealing with ID lighting requirements are addressing 'widths' and nothing to do with commercial or weight capacities and apply to all vehicles 80"+. Ie boat trailers, DRW pickup trucks, campers etc.

AS to the OPs question only pro I can see if the truck otherwise didn't require ID lights is they would not need to also be on camper (though may still need clearance lights). Does give more visibility but couldn't say any safer.
Cons, reflections off the nose, and loss of clearance if space an issue. Drilling holes in a perfectly good roof.

tried a quick web search and couldn't come up with anything other than wider than 80 inches. one answer to the question was:

"There are five lights across the roof above the windshield. The two outside lights are called "clearance lights" because they show the outside dimensions, both vertical and horizontal, of the vehicle. The three lights in the middle are called "identification" or "i.d." lights because they indicate the vehicle is at least 80 inches wide.

Normally these lights are on vehicles that are used for commercial purposes and may be pulling trailers, such as construction companies, towing companies, things like that where the lights are required by law.

As far as Joe Cowboy putting them across his truck cab to look cool, if you look closer you'll probably see led lights under the tailgate, chrome naked lady mudflaps, diamond plate running boards, etc etc.

I'm sure you see where this is going. "
bumpy

I believe the cab lights are legally required for dually trucks, as well as lights on a dually rear fenders.

My opinion is they do very little to help when the truck camper is on the truck.

Paul

Yeah i really never noticed them at night either but then again i rather be settled somewhere before it gets dark. Who wants to drive at night...

They reflect off the cabover, which then reflects off the hood of my truck, but it's not bad enough to be annoying. I barely see the good reflection.

Hey Bumpy, just cause i have them there already. Might as well .. It is only 2 little bulbs..lol

I believe the cab lights and the 3 marker lights in the rear are DOT required for trucks over a certain weight and/or commercial trucks. Also the lights on a dually rear fenders.