tail lights

[Deano56]

I'm getting near to painting around the bottom of my MH and would like to update my tail lights as they are looking dull and faded. I have two wrap around red marker lights on each corner, then in from them is a red lens with a clear center for the back up light (hasn't worked), then below that is a red lens that is the the brake/turn light. Can the wrap around corner light be change to amber? I just thought it would make it look a little more modern, I bought amber lenses for what I thought was the turn signals only, but was the brake light also.

[mnoeltne]

The wrap around is to give you a side marker light for the rear of the vehicle, as well as the normal rear tail lights. In most states the rear side markers have to be red, while front is amber. This could of course be different in your state, but is true in general.

[railroadbob]

I really can't speak to other states but in California, TAIL lights must be red. All others, including brake lights, may be amber/yellow. I would think that a legal light system in one state would be acceptable in all states. I have seen many imported cars with amber/yellow brake lights.

[Deano56]

kaydeejay wrote:

Deano56 wrote:
If you will notice it says the front can be other than red, the rear is as previous stated and that's red. Its a federal law

Not the way I read it - check the text I highlighted (Bold).

yes you are correct, except the stop light or other signal device, which may be red, amber, that a new on on me

[kaydeejay]

Deano56 wrote:
If you will notice it says the front can be other than red, the rear is as previous stated and that's red. Its a federal law

Not the way I read it - check the text I highlighted (Bold).

[Deano56]

If you will notice it says the front can be other than red, the rear is as previous stated and that's red. Its a federal law

[kaydeejay]

chuckftboy wrote:
I just had the discussion with a good friend who is an antique auto buff. Here in Florida it is actually legal to use amber for brake lights. I think you may want to check the traffic laws for your state though. If legal in your state, other states will honor that when you travel.

To my surprise, he's right. here's the Florida reg.

"316.224 Color of clearance lamps, identification lamps, side marker lamps, backup lamps, reflectors, and deceleration lights.—
........snip..........
(3) All lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle shall display or reflect a red color, except the stop light or other signal device, which may be red, amber, or yellow, and except that the light illuminating the license plate shall be white and the light emitted by a backup lamp shall be white or amber.".........................................

Now wouldn't that be confusing if you came up behind a vehicle with two amber brake lights showing. You'd think the 4-ways were stuck!

[Deano56]

enblethen wrote:
Rear marker clearance lights are to be red.
Brake lights are required by federal requirements to be red.
Turn signals can be amber on the rear of a rig.
Your description of the lights sound like Bargmans.

yes they are Bargmans, if I could separate the brake from the turn signal I would use the amber for the turns only but I'm not that smart with electrical.

[enblethen]

Rear marker clearance lights are to be red.
Brake lights are required by federal requirements to be red.
Turn signals can be amber on the rear of a rig.
Your description of the lights sound like Bargmans.

[chuckftboy]

I just had the discussion with a good friend who is an antique auto buff. Here in Florida it is actually legal to use amber for brake lights. I think you may want to check the traffic laws for your state though. If legal in your state, other states will honor that when you travel.