|
Yes, you all are right about the DOT rules... the rear and rear corners must be red, the sides and front must be amber or clear with an amber bulb (not red).
I added a red running light at the rear side corners of my Monty but it only has the running light - I did not add a light (nor the wiring) that also supported the blinker or brake. These rear cornering lights are so far at the back corners that I was able to tap into the tail lights wire on either side. I figured that was all I would need. Adding wiring for the blinker/brake would have been nice, but more work than I wanted to do.
I think you can have the blinker function at the wheel areas (after figuring a way to run the wire and you'll need a converter to separate the brake/blinker in order to isolate the blinker function. But I believe location is too far forward to be a red lamp so I don't think you will also be able to have the brake function since it will not be red.
Maybe someone knows the legal distance from the rear of the coach to locate a red light. If I find it I will add it to the post. This will have to meet all states (and Canada or Mexico if you are adventurous enough) laws.
On edit:
After a quick search on the internet I found this little bit of information in a DOT guideline from September 2008:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 571
[Docket No. NHTSA-2008-0154]
" Reflex reflectors: one red on each side as far to the
rear as practicable, one amber on each side as far to the front as
practicable (SAE A)
Side marker lights, one red on each side as far to the
rear as practicable, one amber on each side as far to the front as
practicable (SAE P)"
No mention about lights in the middle of a trailer. I'll keep looking.
On 2nd edit:
Another search and I couldn't find a DOT guideline but here's the one for California on side marker lights for a trailer.
Reference: VEHICLE CODE SECTION 24950-24953
24950. Whenever any motor vehicle is towing a trailer coach or a
camp trailer the combination of vehicles shall be equipped with a
lamp-type turn signal system.
... then a little farther down
24953. (a) Any turn signal system used to give a signal of
intention to turn right or left shall project a flashing white or
amber light visible to the front and a flashing red or amber light
visible to the rear.
(b) Side-mounted turn signal lamps projecting a flashing amber
light to either side may be used to supplement the front and rear
turn signals. Side-mounted turn signal lamps mounted to the rear of
the center of the vehicle may project a flashing red light no part of
which shall be visible from the front.
(c) In addition to any required turn signal lamps, any vehicle may
be equipped with supplemental rear turn signal lamps mounted to the
rear of the rearmost portion of the driver's seat in its rearmost
position.
(d) In addition to any required or authorized turn signal lamps,
any vehicle may be equipped with supplemental rear turn signal lamps
that are mounted on, or are an integral portion of, the outside
rearview mirrors, so long as the lamps flash simultaneously with the
rear turn signal lamps, the light emitted from the lamps is projected
only to the rear of the vehicle and is not visible to the driver
under normal operating conditions, except for a visual indicator
designed to allow monitoring of lamp operation, and the lamps do not
project a glaring light.
Note: This infers that only the rearmost side lights can be red the center must be amber.
I hope this helps!!!
|