Replacing tail light

Wire nuts are not the best choice for a location that bounces about.

Chad/Jen wrote:
I am replacing the whole tail light on my camper because the license plate holder broke off of it. I have it taken off and have the wires ready to go back on but seem to not be able to crimp the wire nuts enough to make the wires stay put. I got the wire nuts at Lowe’s and it looked like they were the same ones I took off, but maybe not. Any suggestions?.

How about butt splice connectors?

Most likely wrong size of wire nuts. What color are they?
Crimps filled with electrical grease by installer would save some connection issues.
Any properly sized crimps will work.
Filling of properly sized wire nuts that do not have metal in them with electrical grease will also work.

Just be aware the TAIL LIGHTS fixtures are required to be DOT TYPE APPROVED.

These are safety lights and need to be approved by DOT and be sure they have the DOT ID NUMBERS stamped into the lens...

If the tail light is not DOT TYPE APPROVED then it may become an issue during SAFETY INSPECTION time...

We ran into this all the time back in my early JEEP DAYS when we all changed out safety lights alot from running off-road and getting them damaged...

Roy Ken

Thanks all. Got it figured out.

Next question - how much of the silicone do I need to get off from around where the light was before reattaching the new light fixture and sealing it again?

Hopefully it is not normal silicone! If it is get it all off!
Use geotex type sealant.
Tailight should come with gasket!

enblethen wrote:
Hopefully it is not normal silicone! If it is get it all off!
Use geotex type sealant.
Tailight should come with gasket!

What’s geotex sealant? The tape type stuff?

It is a sealant. May not spelled correctly, Geoflex(?) Geocel
Used as sealant on RVs. It is similar to the Dicor non-leveling lap sealant.
I use the expensive Dicor products.

It is best not to seal all the way across the bottom. If water does get in, opening on the bottom will allow it to drain out.

This does seem like complicating a simple problem. Twist wire nuts, add sealant and vinyl black tape. Or, crimp connectors and sealant.

I usually prefer twisting the wires, soldering, then taping over the connection.

The TT wiring makes use of insulation displacing connectors.

As suggested; take old connectors in when buying new to get replacements.