Why Can Optronics Magnetic Tow Lights Only be Used with Vehicles Under 80 Inches

Question:

what is the reason for restricting the width of the towed veh to 80.

asked by: Gary Q

Expert Reply:

There are certain lighting requirements for vehicles or trailers that are over 80 inches wide that magnetic lights such as # TLL21RK cannot provide. You would need front and rear clearance lamps that are mounted at a 45 degree angle (PC rated). So if the back of the vehicle was a square for example, the light would be at the corner pointed half way between the side and the rear of the vehicle. They need to be placed as high as possible.

You also need rear identification lamps (3) centered horizontally 6 to 12 inches apart facing rearward and at the top.

If the vehicle is more than 80 inches wide and weighs 10,000 pounds or more there are additional lights needed: rear upper body markings, bumper bar marking, rear lower body markings, and side markings.

If the tow vehicle already has its own lights then presumably it is up to code and you would not need to add additional lights. There are lighting kits you can use to power the vehicles lights. I would just need to know the vehicle. If it is a 2011 Ford Edge, then you will not have to worry about it because the vehicle is 76 inches wide.

expert reply by: Michael H