What Causes Water To Enter a Boat Trailer Tail Light

Question:

The description says these lights are submersible and sealed to keep water out. Both lights on my boat trailer are filled with water. One stopped working. I’m sure the other one will soon follow. One light is less than one year old and the other is three years old. Are these lights covered by a warranty? Water intrusion should not happen. Zoom in on the attached pictures. You can see the water line on both lights. Please make this right.

asked by: Derrick H

Expert Reply:

In regards to trailer tail lights, a common mistake that people make is not unplugging them prior to launching the trailer. The reason that this is important has to do with not only the mixing of electricity and water but also the rapid cooling. If you are using your lights down the boat ramp you'll be heating up the bulbs and housing. When the trailer is dunked under water this rapidly cooling can cause the housing to suck in water. Granted, this is more of an issue with incandescent than LED. If the seal was damaged or housing was cracked that is another reason for water entering the light.

The ONE LED Trailer Tail Lights part # STL0067RPG and part # STL0066RBG do have a lifetime warranty but only for the LED's. They are submersible but again, rapid cooling or damage to the housing can cause the housing to suck in water which is not covered under warranty.

expert reply by: Conner L