Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Green99 on August 04, 2013, 03:20:55 pm

Title: Replacing marker lights
Post by: Green99 on August 04, 2013, 03:20:55 pm
Ordered and received some new marker lights, gaskets and bulbs.  Just curious if those having been down this road recommend using any type of sealer.  I am of the opinion that the gasket is there to seal the light, but I have seen people add sealer as well.  I prefer not to use sealer if the gasket will take care of any water issues.  Has anyone changed the markers and needed to add sealer?
Jerry
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: kenhat on August 04, 2013, 07:48:40 pm
@Jerry FOT puts sealer on the screws to seal the holes if they penetrate the fiberglass on the coach. That's what I would do.

see ya
ken
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: drcscruggs on August 04, 2013, 08:27:27 pm
I would probably recommend also sealing the screws and I would probably use a little dab of silicone. 
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on August 04, 2013, 08:35:36 pm
I would probably recommend also sealing the screws and I would probably use a little dab of silicone. 

Exactly

P
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: propman on August 05, 2013, 12:16:19 am
Jerry,
"marker lights" are they the rectangular ones on the top back? I need to change my Lenses and i was not able to find exact; found one that kind off works from autozone ( had to replace one right away) so temporarily changed that one but I need to change few more, they are not looking good.
Would you please tell me what kind and where did you get them.
Thank you,
AL
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: Don Hay on August 05, 2013, 01:17:33 am
Al,

Ordinarily, marker lights are the side mounted turn signals close to the front (about 4'-5' back from headlights).
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: Green99 on August 05, 2013, 07:29:54 am
All,
Sorry, I meant clearance lights.
Al,
I found the exact lights @ FOT.  light gasket sockets and bulbs were less than $5 ea.
Jerry
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: Green99 on August 05, 2013, 07:31:31 am
Oh, I had heard they were no longer available, but FOT had plenty.
Jerry
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: John S on August 05, 2013, 08:59:48 am
I replaced mine with LED.  It was 271 bucks for all of them. For the rear you need you tell them that you want the angled lens. 
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: Green99 on August 05, 2013, 10:10:12 am
John,
I really like the looks of the LEDs, maybe next go around I will invest in the upgrade.
Jerry
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: JohnFitz on August 05, 2013, 10:38:09 am
I just replaced all of mine with LED's.  I don't have the flush style that many of the newer coaches have.  I had broken lenses and figured the rest of them were getting brittle too so replacement was the best option.  At $5 each it was an easy choice.  Used silicone to seal around screws and wire hole.
There were several criteria to make sure they would be direct replacements for old ones:
- overall size 4"x2"
- hole center to center of 3"
- wires come out of the center of light (in order to align with the existing wire hole in coach)
Found these:
Red: 1 Red camper Trailer RV Light 3 LED 2 x 4 Surface Mount CLEARANCE Marker | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-RED-Camper-Trailer-RV-Light-3-LED-2-x-4-surface-mount-Clearance-marker-/290943325625?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43bd92d5b9&vxp=mtr)
Amber: Amber LED 4" Truck Trailer RV CLEARANCE Marker Lights 3 LED Optronics | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amber-LED-4-Truck-Trailer-RV-Clearance-Marker-Lights-3-LED-Optronics-/290954328584?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43be3aba08&vxp=mtr)
They look good and are plenty bright.  I bought a couple extra since buying identical replacements might be hard later and LEDS can burn out.  It appears as though these only have a resister to regulate current but they are designed for vehicles so maybe the burning out won't be an issue.
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: Dave Head on August 05, 2013, 10:56:11 am
I think I paid about 9-10 bucks each for the front/back. Clear lens, amber/red LEDs. Bought them for a store in the NW via Amazon. Same type as Tim F. He got his in Nac.
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on August 05, 2013, 03:34:37 pm
Jerry, I replaced all my marker and clearance lights with LED's.  No need for sealer as LED's are sealed anyway, BUT where wires pass thru Fibreglass it would be a good idea to use a sealer.
Gary B
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: propman on August 05, 2013, 08:09:15 pm
Thank you all. Maybe i should go with LED's They look good.
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: PatC on August 06, 2013, 12:01:46 pm
Jerry, I replaced all my marker and clearance lights with LED's.  No need for sealer as LED's are sealed anyway, BUT where wires pass thru Fibreglass it would be a good idea to use a sealer.
Gary B
X2 did the same.  Used Grote SuperNova 47252 (red) and 47253 (yellow).  Found mine on Ebay - cheaper than any parts store.  Check this ebay store: Grote Lighting, Chrome Stuff items in OTT'S FRICTION SUPPLY store on eBay! (http://stores.ebay.com/OTTS-FRICTION-SUPPLY?_trksid=p2047675.l2563) .  I see Amazon has them too. 

(https://www.foreforums.com/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F11OSEWLB5NL.jpg&hash=c3014f7d43b090f9c33b6bbcdae567d6" rel="cached" data-hash="c3014f7d43b090f9c33b6bbcdae567d6" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11OSEWLB5NL.jpg)
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=media;in=1570;thumb (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=media;in=1570;thumb)
(http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action-media;sa=media;in=1570;thumb)
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: fouroureye on August 06, 2013, 04:31:28 pm
Pat - are these surface mount?  I went to site and I couldn't tell.
They would work great for my 88 Villa!
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: JohnFitz on August 06, 2013, 05:27:39 pm
Pat - are these surface mount?  I went to site and I couldn't tell.
They would work great for my 88 Villa!
John/Cheryl,
One thing I noticed on my coach is the two outer lights on the back are on the curvature of the cap.  Those two lights have a little gap underneath.  Using a longer light like Pat used (6" verses 4") will make the gap worse.  I noticed on Pat's rear cap that they appear to be moved towards the center where the surface is flat compared to mine.  I don't know if he moved them or Foretravel installed that way on later coaches (Pat's being a '94).  I would guess your coach is like mine and something you should check.  I don't know if the lights themselves can be forced to the curvature with the mounting screws without breaking or stripping out the screws.  I know the ones I used couldn't because the lens cap wouldn't say on - I had to balance the gap on either side and make sure there was sufficient sealer on the screws.
Assuming your existing marker lights are like mine, you will have to drill a 1-1/4" hole in the center where the wires come out and new screw holes since the spacing goes from 3" to 4" in order to use the ones Pat did.  It can be amazing how complicated something so simple like marker lights can get.
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: PatC on August 07, 2013, 10:54:30 am
John/Cheryl,
One thing I noticed on my coach is the two outer lights on the back are on the curvature of the cap.  Those two lights have a little gap underneath.  Using a longer light like Pat used (6" verses 4") will make the gap worse.  I noticed on Pat's rear cap that they appear to be moved towards the center where the surface is flat compared to mine.  I don't know if he moved them or Foretravel installed that way on later coaches (Pat's being a '94).  I would guess your coach is like mine and something you should check.  I don't know if the lights themselves can be forced to the curvature with the mounting screws without breaking or stripping out the screws.  I know the ones I used couldn't because the lens cap wouldn't say on - I had to balance the gap on either side and make sure there was sufficient sealer on the screws.
Assuming your existing marker lights are like mine, you will have to drill a 1-1/4" hole in the center where the wires come out and new screw holes since the spacing goes from 3" to 4" in order to use the ones Pat did.  It can be amazing how complicated something so simple like marker lights can get.
John is right on.  My '94 was already set up with 1-1/4" center hole at each light and 4" screw spacing.  I used some body putty to fill the small gaps on the outer lights.  You can't barely tell.  I thought all the older Foretravels had the 4" hole spacing.  Hard to find lights with that gap that look good.
Title: Re: Replacing marker lights
Post by: fouroureye on August 07, 2013, 12:14:34 pm
Thanks ! :D

Appreciate the info - they look good and since there flat, they will work Great on a 88 Villa!