Northwest Fishing Reports

I have a question regarding my trailer lights. I have an EZ-loader single axel basic trailer. In about 18 months I've had 2 bulbs go bad. First off, is that kind of quick? I use it in salt and fresh water equal time. I do spray things down with a hose when I come out of the salt, (for what that is worth)

I took apart the tailight assembly, and the silver metal plate that has the 1157 bulb seated in it, and also has a very different looking bulb which seems to look permanently mounted, and smaller. This whole metal plate is really corroded after just 18 months. Don't they make a unit for this stuff that is stainless? Malybe West Marine here in Seattle? The 1157 bulb was so corroded that I never could get it out, and finally just removed the whole thing from the wiring harness.

So is that much corrosion normal in that amount of time? Of course the plastic assembly isn't water tight.
How often do you guys have to re-do this stuff?

Thanks

Are you using a sealed unit for the trailer lights? It seems to me that two bulbs in 18 months is a few too many. I know that you can get sealed lights that are submergable, but with that comes a larger than normal pricetag. Not too much larger, but it also comes with confidence in knowing that probably will not have to deal with replacing so many bulbs.

No they're definetley not sealed. I was hoping I could upgrade to something. Maybe that is the problem with "EZ-loader"...... sometimes EZ price tag brings Cheezy parts.

If'n it was me I'd goober the connections up something awful with dielectic grease. I think that would stop the corrosion.

I had the same problem with my sealed trailer lights and switched to LED trailer lights and no problem now.

Pull your trailer light plug outta the back of your car when you back the trailer in the water...You don't wanna back in with your lights on...

Hose off your trailer as much as possible when you use it salt....

[quote="Sam Kafelafish"]Pull your trailer light plug outta the back of your car when you back the trailer in the water...You don't wanna back in with your lights on...



I do this ...... someone had told me about that ahwile back.... of course there was a few times when I didn't in the beginning. What is that about anyway? Some kind of physics reaction or something?

I assume just running the lights under water isn't a great idea...I haven't had a problem yet and I do it every time....

Submersible trailer lights are usually only good for about a seasons worth of fishing. Waterproof trailer lights may last a two or three seasons. LED trailer lights should last up to five years.

Easy Limits wrote:Submersible trailer lights are usually only good for about a seasons worth of fishing. Waterproof trailer lights may last a two or three seasons. LED trailer lights should last up to five years.

Thanks Easy Limits, I'm on those things.

Sam Kafelafish wrote:I assume just running the lights under water isn't a great idea...I haven't had a problem yet and I do it every time....

That is funny. We have been having an epic battle with our trailer like that EZ loader over the last couple months. We kept blowing fuses in the car and lights on the trailer. We rewired the plug entirely twice. The exact problem was backing the trailer in while the lights were running. So, there is a little thing called a converter box next to the plug. At Beaver Lake, we really have to get the car in deep to launch our boat. Every time got water into the box, the little computer in the box got fried. Now we unplug the thing as we back it in and it works fine.

Just switch to LED's its more reliable and cost effective over the long haul. Initially it seems spendy, but you will not be dealing with lighting issues for a long while.

I bought my EZ-Loader trailer new with my Hewescraft in 2001 and have used it in the salt water and sometimes lakes every year since the purchase. I have done nothing except wash my boat after every use and rinse the trailer off with fresh water the best I can before putting it away in my garage. To this day I have not had a bulb go out or anything go wrong with my trailer. So, I believe your trailer lights may not have been sealed when it was made at the factory. That's my guess anyway.