New Trailer Project

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CHR15E
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by CHR15E » Wed Oct 19, 2016 4:58 pm

TBH I wasn't sure whether to bother with reversing lights but seeing as I'm starting from scratch I have the choice now rather than regret not fitting them later on.

Fog light(s) are another thing to consider. Regs on trailers have changed a fair bit over the last few years so I'm trying to do the best I can with them in mind.
Chris
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by scoobyh123 » Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:50 pm

I don't think there are any rules about reversing lamps, i think they're optional regardless. However i do know there are rules for fog lights and front marker lights.
Can't remember which way round it is but i think if it's over a certain width it must have at least a pair of front marker lights and if over a certain length it must have at least one rear fog light. It might be the other way round (width = fog, length = markers) but don't think so. If memory serves correctly, it's 6ft wide and 10ft long. Each figure is independent of the other so a 6ft wide trailer needs marker lights even if it's only 4ft long and a 10ft long trailer needs a rear fog light even if it's only 2 ft wide.

Check the figures as i may be a bit out, i'm going from memory a few years back when i was building a trailer that was 7' wide and 11' bed plus the A-frame (ex-caravan chassis) and that needed both front marker lights and rear fog light(s).

Worth double-checking though, especially as the regs have recently changed! :wink: :D
Cheers,
Dave

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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by CHR15E » Wed Oct 19, 2016 11:32 pm

It's all type approval nonsense these days like everything else.

As from October 2012 all newly built 'braked' trailers must have reversing lights from what I've read. God knows why brakes make a difference?

Guessing yours isn't braked? Mine is though I won't be claiming it was built after 2012. ;) The chassis is dated 1998 so that's when it must have been made. :)

Front marker lights need to be fitted on trailers over 1.6M wide.

Rear fog light(s) need to be fitted on trailers over 1.3m wide.
Chris
19 Vauxhall Astra 1.6T SRi Nav Estate
08 Vauxhall Astra 2.0T Design Twintop
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Previously owned 57 800s 2000-2012
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by CHR15E » Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:07 pm

More playing in between rain showers.

Extra set of lights fitted, along with number plate and fogs.

Image

Sidelights at night.

Image

Brake lights.

Image

Quick vid. Only thing I'm not 100% happy with is the number plate lights. I may move them above the plate.

Front markers still to do yet.

Image
Chris
19 Vauxhall Astra 1.6T SRi Nav Estate
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by scoobyh123 » Mon Oct 24, 2016 3:48 pm

Looking good Chris - number plate lights are always a compromise wherever they are though. I'm surprised that with todays technology, nobody has come up with a light (or pair of lights) that fit one above/one under the plate and light it evenly from one end to the other.
Cheers,
Dave

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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by CHR15E » Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:10 pm

I like the idea of being back lit. Guessing plod wouldn't like it though if I modded a plate. :D

They'll do as they are, TBH on my other trailer board the plate lights are so far away from the plate I doubt they're doing anything at all. Never actually checked it to see how good it is.

I've just ordered another set of front markers, going to have 3 sets then. Top middle and bottom.

Keep thinking of putting side markers on, might wait and see what I think of the reflectors once I've finished a few other bits. I don't legally need them but like the idea of it being seen easily.
Chris
19 Vauxhall Astra 1.6T SRi Nav Estate
08 Vauxhall Astra 2.0T Design Twintop
02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4.7 V8 HO

Previously owned 57 800s 2000-2012
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by scoobyh123 » Tue Oct 25, 2016 9:57 pm

If memory serves a standard number plate is 520mm long. I reckon three of these on the bottom, three on the top, all mounted on angle aluminium to shine on the plate would give an effect almost as if back-lit without modding the plate :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-PAIR-WATERP ... SwtnpXjd0c

Like the idea of the triple front markers, are the side markers going to be in three rows, top, middle and bottom as well? :wink: :D

Could always make the centre marker of each row a side repeater for the indicators as well - that should stand out and make it easily seen!
Cheers,
Dave

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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by CHR15E » Wed Oct 26, 2016 5:33 am

I think once I'm closer to finishing everything I might get someone to tow the trailer and I'll follow it to see whether I want/need to swap the plate lights. Might not be a bad thing Mr Plod can't see it that well? :lol: :wink:

I could do that certainly. I think the only other thing in the back of mind is that I don't want to make it something people get fixated on staring at it like they do the 800 trailer. Had so many near misses over the years with people not paying attention. Anything out of the ordinary seems to send people into a trance? :roll:

Not sure if there's a law on having too many lights on a trailer?
Chris
19 Vauxhall Astra 1.6T SRi Nav Estate
08 Vauxhall Astra 2.0T Design Twintop
02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4.7 V8 HO

Previously owned 57 800s 2000-2012
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by scoobyh123 » Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:33 am

The one big drawback of Mr Plod not being able to see the number plate is he might get curious and tug you just to see what's happening. :roll:
By the same token, if you have a pair of 100W front fog lights illuminating the number plate he'll probably pull you because of showing a white light to the rear. :roll:
You have at least the minimum lights for the number plate and it's easy enough to see on the videos which is what i think they worry about most these days. Reckon you've got it right on that score so probably best to leave it "as is". :D

I understand not wanting to make it stand out too much but i think it's already pretty distinctive - same argument applies in reverse, if they are busy watching it they can't argue they didn't see it! Unlike the Astra driver that ran into the back of a double-decker bus which was parked at a bus stop - "I didn't see it!"! :shock: :roll: Also "It shouldn't have stopped there, what was it doing stopping there?" Err, it's a bus mate, this is a bus stop, buses are meant to stop at bus stops - 'nuff said! :lol:

As far as i know, there's no law about having too many lights on a trailer, if there was half the lorry drivers in the world would be in court!
As long as you have the minimum and the other lights comply with Construction & Use regs i'm pretty sure there are no limits except from a wiring point of view - as long as your wiring will cope then you're sorted.
If you're using LEDs then obviously you can fit a lot more than if you use old fashioned bulbs, the only glitch there are the indicators, you may need to fit a ballast resistor to load the flasher relay so it still flashes at the right speed. Had to do this on my coupé when i did the DRL conversion using the front indicators for the DRLs combined with indicators (two sets of different colour LEDs in one bulb, internal circuitry switches the DRL off while the indicator is flashing) as the flash rate went up as if there was a bulb out. More LEDs would have also cured it but i had nowhere to put them. :wink: :D
Cheers,
Dave

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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by CHR15E » Wed Oct 26, 2016 5:13 pm

Fair point, I'm planning to fit the front markers Saturday so I'll see what I think after that.

Wiring wise I should be ok, I use 12S cable instead of 12N cable when I'm doing lighting jobs. I found it worked much better in the Rover trailer that way. Though obviously that runs regular bulbs.

I don't find a problem with flashing speed though with only the first set of lights it wasn't activating the buzzer for the indicators. I guess with the difference from yours is that the car is working at the right speed and so the trailer should too?

Next thing to consider is tyres, I'm pretty sure these are original to the chassis after taking the spare off! So they're circa 18 years old! They still have plenty of tread but are starting to crack on the sidewalls. I'll get some new ones priced locally and then may get my brother to paint the wheels to tidy them up.
Chris
19 Vauxhall Astra 1.6T SRi Nav Estate
08 Vauxhall Astra 2.0T Design Twintop
02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4.7 V8 HO

Previously owned 57 800s 2000-2012
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by scoobyh123 » Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:03 pm

I've not had a trailer on the coupé since doing the DRL/Indicator mod Chris so i can't answer that but that's the theory, yes.

Tyres are yet another reason i was looking to alter my trailer, it's currently on 10" Mini wheels with tyres that i think Noah owned as a boy.
What size are your tyres Chris?
Cheers,
Dave

'02 Honda CR-V SE Executive
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by CHR15E » Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:28 pm

155R13 from memory.

The spare is unused so I could keep that but if it is original I think I'll just bite the bullet and swap all 3.
Chris
19 Vauxhall Astra 1.6T SRi Nav Estate
08 Vauxhall Astra 2.0T Design Twintop
02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4.7 V8 HO

Previously owned 57 800s 2000-2012
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by scoobyh123 » Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:35 pm

They're tricky to get hold of at sensible prices these days as well, my primary reason for wanting to change from the 10" Mini wheels. Something like £50-60 for one 10" tyre and that was a cheapy as well! :shock:
Cheers,
Dave

'02 Honda CR-V SE Executive
'99 Jag S Type 3.0 V6 SE


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'94 827 Sterling saloon
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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by CHR15E » Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:41 pm

I'm expecting £40-50 per tyre.

I'll check at the place down the road in the next few days.
Chris
19 Vauxhall Astra 1.6T SRi Nav Estate
08 Vauxhall Astra 2.0T Design Twintop
02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4.7 V8 HO

Previously owned 57 800s 2000-2012
Relapse of 1 in 2021 Now Sold

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Re: New Trailer Project

Post by scoobyh123 » Wed Oct 26, 2016 7:37 pm

You might find it's cheaper to fit more modern wheels with wider low profiles, that's what i was going to do with mine, fit Astra 4-stud 14" wheels with 165/65/14 tyres on. Slightly larger diameter but no gearing/speedo etc to worry about on a trailer, just the loading height. With cheapies at about £25 each it was a good idea for me.
Cheers,
Dave

'02 Honda CR-V SE Executive
'99 Jag S Type 3.0 V6 SE


Image
'94 827 Sterling saloon
'88 Volvo 760 V6 Estate
'95 827 Coupé LPG gone but not forgotten!

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