Cobra trailer tail lights replacement?

[John Bojack J4]

Looking to replace the factory/European style tail lights.

Although attractive (??) I think they can be confusing for USA drivers following behind it.

Any suggestions for improvement and/or making them more USA "friendly"? And also wiring them for USA vehicles.


I have seen several trailers with round L.E.D. replacement tail lights. Source?

All suggestions and advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

J4

[uncl...@ix.netcom.com]

Go to etrailer.com
Many options
UH

[Doug]

Here... https://www.superbrightleds.com/search/led-products/STFR-R24/

Get the right angle plug too... https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/plugs-connectors-sockets/right-angle-3-pin-plug-for-trailer-lights-and-truck-lights/569/

They also have replacements for the side marker lights.

D

[Luke Szczepaniak]

I've used these in both my current and previous cobra trailer.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/submersible-led-trailer-light-kit/A-p8006317e

The retailer is Canadian but you should be able to find an equivalent in
the US. The face plate is a direct fit for the existing cobra cutouts.
The rear portion (plastic box) has to be trimmed if the top of your
trailer has cuffs that hold the wingtip, if you have an ASG-29 type wing
with the handles you probably don't need to modify anything.

Luke

[Michael Opitz]

John,

All I do (for a US 4 wire conversion) is swap spade connectors
(at the bulbs themselves) between the the Euro amber turn
signal and the red brake light. Just unscrew the lens cover, swap
the 2 spade connectors, put the lens cover back on. The amber
light is then not used, so drivers in the USA won't be confused.

RO

[Mitch Deutsch]

J4, Harbor Freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-submersible-led-stop-turn-trailer-tail-light-93263.html

Very bright. I have had these for 5 years at least and absolutely no issues. DL and 22 also have them.

You may need to enlarge the hole in the back of the trailer, other than that it is an easy swap.

[herbk...@gmail.com]

Thanks Mike, the last thing we need is more confused American drivers.

[John Bojack J4]

I cringe every time i am in busy traffic with my glider trailer and have to brake hard. There's some kind of optical illusion our long skinny trailers seem to have that makes drivers tailgate too closely.
Personally, i know of 3 guys who've had collisions on the road this way.

J4

[bumper]

I installed LED tail lights on and a 3rd brake light at the top of the fin in 2003.

I've had better luck buying on Amazon and eBay than Harbor Freight - last trailer lights from them, 3 years ago, started dying within the first year. At least on Amazon you can read the reviews.

Being from CA (years ago) I was always terrified that some uninsured and otherwise irresponsible person would torpedo my trailer from behind - adding a bright 3rd brake light surely helps.

For the 3rd brake light I used a simple 12 volt relay for the "logic". Left brake light operates the relay coil, right brake light provides power the normally open relay contact, contact powers 3rd brake light.

When both brake lights are on - 3rd light is on.
When either turn signal is on - 3rd brake light is off.

When either turn signal is on and the brakes are applied, the 3 rd brake light comes on and flashes in sync with the turn signal . . . a little strange, but it works.

When installing a 3rd brake light at the top of a cobra trailer (at least the aluminum top version, and probably all) you'll need to make a wedge or spacer so the LED is angled either level or a bit declinated. Otherwise due to the angle of the rear trailer fin, and the relatively narrow LED beam angle, the brake light won't appear all that bright.


I suggested the fin LED light to Spindleburger, along with switching to LED lighting, back a dozen years ago - - he mumbled something about lighting rules in EU.

bumper

[Michael Opitz]

Herb,

For those that aren't familiar, converting a Euro system to a USA 4
wire system will normally result in the amber turn signal light being
used for both turn and brake signals. The red Euro "brake" light
normally gets bypassed in the wiring deal, so for me, the easiest
solution has been to swap spade connectors between the two. This
results in the red brake light sharing duties as a turn signal, which
is what drivers in the USA are accustomed to seeing. FWIW, the
police also like seeing red brake lights a lot better than amber or
yellow ones..

I have a Euro adaptor "pig tail" wiring connector which allows me to
plug the pig tail into my car, go to the port, swap bulb spade
connectors (in 5 minutes), hook up the trailer and drive away in as
little as 40 minutes total time spent at the port (including customs
& everything). Then, when we are home, we can redo the trailer
wiring connectors at our liesure (as opposed to doing it at the dock
in the rain or snow...) I have used this system in picking up ~10
gliders from the port now, and it works pretty well for me....

RO

[JS]

"USA friendly"?
Does that mean going back to the 1960s-style 4-wire scheme with one brake light if you're using the turn signals?
When changing to LEDs, it's easy to maintain the amber turn and red brake lights, and even add features like white reversing light. Personally completed the mod on three Cobra trailers in the USA.
Try looking here:
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=trailer+lights&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=LED+trailer+lights&_sacat=0
Any USA glider trailer going to Benalla will need proper lighting. 4-wire and red turn signals are illegal.
Jim

[2G]

Here is a module that will convert US wiring to European:

http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Curt/C56196.html

If you just want to add a third stop light ignore the turn signals.

Tom

[OHM Ω]

I have been updating my Cobra trailer with LED lights. See http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations#trailer for more details.

I agree that;

1) LED lights are absolutely the way to go. Last forever. Brighter. No corrosion issues. My side light fixtures were replaced as a unit with LED fixtures that cover the outline of the old fixture. The tail light fixture BULBS were replaced with LED bulbs. Most/all of the bulbs in the tail light fixture can be replaced with 1156's. https://www.superbrightleds.com is a good source.

2) A HEP (high eye point) light on the tail fin is advantageous. I used a motorcycle turn signal and brake light fixture and wired it into a barrier strip that I installed so that I have access to all the wiring (versus the Cobra terminal block). Instead of a relay (well done!) I used two hefty diodes and when the brakes are on, every LED in the fixture is lit!

>--+-------------------> HEP Left Light
|
+----|>|-----+
+------> HEP Brake Light
+----|>|-----+
|
>--+-------------------> HEP Right Light

Best of luck. OHM

[OHM Ω]

Has anyone come up with a wiring diagram, or found an adapter, to go from an original Cobra 7 way round connector (round pins at the trailer end) to a US automotive 7 way round connector (flat blades at the truck end)? OHM

[nospa...@efbe.prima.de]

Am 26.11.2016 um 21:34 schrieb OHM Ω:
> Has anyone come up with a wiring diagram, or found an adapter, to go from an original Cobra 7 way round connector (round pins at the trailer end) to a US automotive 7 way round connector (flat blades at the truck end)? OHM
>

From the cobra website:
http://www.cobratrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/7u13-pin_engl.pdf
http://www.cobratrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/trailer_wiring_US.pdf
CU
Frank

[OHM Ω]

I further updated my trailer wiring presentation today. Please let me know of any comments/questions/gaffes! Thanks, OHM

[Michael Opitz]

John,

You might add 2G's suggestion of this converter on the flat 4
to Euro 7 configuration. It allows you to use your flat 4 car
connection to get the separate Cobra stop and turn signals
without changing any wiring inside the tail lamps. I am inserting
one of these onto my (flat 4 to Euro 7) pigtail so that picking up a
new glider at the port will be strictly "plug & play".

>Here is a module that will convert US wiring to European:

http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Curt/C56196.html

RO

[SF]

I switched to led tail lights after being reared ended on I-85. I added a third led brake light up on the fin that was made for an ambulance. Etrailer.com had the module that makes the third brake light come on only when braking, and I got a module from a motorcycle shop that strobes it three times before staying on. It's quite a light show back there. Dont know if it will repell boarders or mesremise them on the way in. But I feel better about it.

[bumper]

On Monday, November 28, 2016 at 10:01:18 AM UTC-8, SF wrote:
> I switched to led tail lights after being reared ended on I-85. I added a third led brake light up on the fin that was made for an ambulance. Etrailer.com had the module that makes the third brake light come on only when braking, and I got a module from a motorcycle shop that strobes it three times before staying on. It's quite a light show back there. Dont know if it will repell boarders or mesremise them on the way in. But I feel better about it.

It will, no doubt, attract the inebriated like a both to a flame! :c)

[greeneg...@yahoo.com]

One suggestion I have is to add reflective tape to the back of the trailer.

I think the narrow width of the trailers including the spacing between tail lights might make the trailer appear farther away than it is.

I think the more reflective material makes it appear brighter, which subconsciously may make it appear closer, so they will stay further back. It helps the trailer be seen quicker too.
Also the wiring does not fail or come unplugged and even works when just parked.
I have pieces of the reflective tape along the back, one white piece up the vertical fin, then pieces on the fenders, and the sides of the trailer.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Lights/Optronics/RE418T.html

Chris

[eagle...@yahoo.com]

J4, I agree with Mitch! If you have a Harbor Freight near you... Best deal on the planet. (Bright LED) sealed units. That is my 2000 euros worth.