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?

[Bumpyroad]

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

[Bigfootchevy]

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

[billyray50]

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...

[deltabravo]

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.

[billyray50]

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

[sljkansas]

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.

[Jaxom]

Personally, I prefer a better lit rig. I usually add conspicuity ( DOT ) tape to be better seen. Obviously you can go overboard, but that's not what we're talking about here.

Is this too much? Not to my mind.

[Bumpyroad]

billyray50 wrote:
On second thought just going to fix the two lights. Will look better when driving without camper at night or rainy dark days.

I give, why do you care what the oncoming people see? I doubt that they will flip a high speed U turn and fuss at you for ugly lights. 🙂
bumpy

[AnEv942]

If its its DRW over 80" required. If SRW, I don't know why manf. (or owners) put them on SRWs regardless of capacities, not required width wise. As to LED cab lights, a lot of the aftermarket cab lights are junk-in particular one popular brand. Condensation inside causeing failures-they leak between base an lense. They dont dim, they quit. Std bulb you can change, led fails you replace fixture. But they look cool. No more or less likely to leak into cab-thats all in installation.

I wouldnt add cab lights unless truck requires them or your removing from camper. I ended up putting a switch on our cab lights (and 3rd brake) to turn off when camper on (camper has ID lights)otherwise on our std cab the length of overhang is a very large orange glow.

[dadwolf2]

I can't think of any advantages on the truck cab. I can't imagine why they would be required on a 3500/1 ton series SRW truck. The truck is no higher, wider, longer than a 2500 series truck.

[mlts22]

I wonder about replacing them with LEDs, just so that you don't have to worry about burned out bulbs in the future. as LED bulbs tend to fail by going dim, not out.

[billyray50]

On second thought just going to fix the two lights. Will look better when driving without camper at night or rainy dark days.

[billyray50]

5 minutes ago I was looking at mine at noticed that the two outers are out and considering replacing them with LED but think i will leave it alone.

[Bumpyroad]

unless they are legally required without the camper, why bother with them?
bumpy

[Super_Dave]

There are no advantages IMO. If they are already on your truck they are likely there because they are required when your truck is not carrying a camper. My camper sits high enough that I've had no clearance issues.