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

[JW2]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having roof clearance lights on the truck cab in reference to carrying a cab over camper? Anyone have clearance problems with the truck cab lights when carrying a cab over camper? Any problems with leaks? Any other thoughts?

[Carb_Cleaner]

I ordered them with my F250 a year ago, just because I could and I like 'em. After seeing a pic of my new truck, a friend singled out the cab lights, describing them as "oozing with testosterone".
We get an orange glow reflected off the bottom of the cab-over bed, onto the dash and into the cab area, somewhat. I haven't found it annoying, but I do remember taking note of the glow while driving our first night.

[flht_db]

Yep they look cool!! Have had 3 super duty's (2 F250s and the current F350 dually) all have had them. Even cooler with smoked plastic and amber lights!! 🙂

[rottidawg]

X3
Yep cool.
I think mine are pretty.

[Bumpyroad]

work2fish wrote:
I have them only because there is a lot of blank, dark space between the two clearance lights on my camper:



🙂

Truth be told, I was concerned about the clearing them with the camper but even with a north/south bed it was not a problem. I happen to have a sunroof as well and so the camper on top makes it easier to tell when I have a bulb burned out. lol

I just checked my TT and I have two lights, one each corner on the front like your RV. nothing in between on TT or TV.
bumpy

[work2fish]

I have them only because there is a lot of blank, dark space between the two clearance lights on my camper:



🙂

Truth be told, I was concerned about the clearing them with the camper but even with a north/south bed it was not a problem. I happen to have a sunroof as well and so the camper on top makes it easier to tell when I have a bulb burned out. lol

[billyray50]

mkirsch wrote:
Isn't there ONE person reading this that has them because they think they look cool?

The legal requirement is 80" wide for sure. I have also heard that 10,001lb GVWR and above needs to have them somewhere. That would put most SRW 3500s made in the last 5 years or so are in that category.

I think they look cool. My next DD truck is going to have them, I think.

Two sets is even better.

X2 My truck did not have them when bought new off the Lot. I had them installed though because they do look COOL!! Next truck will have them for sure!

[Butch50]

mkirsch wrote:
Isn't there ONE person reading this that has them because they think they look cool?

The legal requirement is 80" wide for sure. I have also heard that 10,001lb GVWR and above needs to have them somewhere. That would put most SRW 3500s made in the last 5 years or so are in that category.

I think they look cool. My next DD truck is going to have them, I think.

Two sets is even better.

My 2011 F350 11,200# GVWR truck I used to have did not require them but it was an option on it.

[mkirsch]

Isn't there ONE person reading this that has them because they think they look cool?

The legal requirement is 80" wide for sure. I have also heard that 10,001lb GVWR and above needs to have them somewhere. That would put most SRW 3500s made in the last 5 years or so are in that category.

I think they look cool. My next DD truck is going to have them, I think.

Two sets is even better.

[Bumpyroad]

nipster wrote:
They are legally required, and come factory on all Dually's. They are optional on SRW vehicles. I see a lot of 4x4 SRW trucks around here get them

You will notice also the Ford F150 Raptor has them on the grille too because it's wide enough to require it

I "assume" that is because they exceed that 80 inch? width? one source said they were required on vehicles over 2032 mm wide. 🙂
bumpy

[nipster]

They are legally required, and come factory on all Dually's. They are optional on SRW vehicles. I see a lot of 4x4 SRW trucks around here get them

You will notice also the Ford F150 Raptor has them on the grille too because it's wide enough to require it

[joeshmoe]

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

[deltabravo]

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.

[Bumpyroad]

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

[AnEv942]

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.