lost a trailer plate

[kickingfrog]

I lost my boat trailer plate on a terrible private road. Picked up a new one but I'm trying to think on a better way to attached it to the trailer now. The plate mount that I had has the licence plate below the break/signal light and is going to come off again if I don't do something different.

 

Is there any reason I can't just mount it to the back frame of the trailer with zip ties or wire?

[AKRISONER]

I lost my boat trailer plate on a terrible private road. Picked up a new one but I'm trying to think on a better way to attached it to the trailer now. The plate mount that I had has the licence plate below the break/signal light and is going to come off again if I don't do something different.

 

Is there any reason I can't just mount it to the back frame of the trailer with zip ties or wire?

 

simple answer...no not at all...if the plate is displayed prominently it does not matter how you attach it to the vehicle. (restricting safety concerns)

 

As a guy into the modified car scene for years many of us mounted our front license plates in interesting ways...it is never an issue until the police cannot see it.

 

You can definitely zip tie it onto the trailer.

[dave524]

I think it has to have a light on it.

[Woodsman]

Yes a trailer plate must be lighted at night.

[Smokercrafty]

Hang it from a few links of chain directly under the taillight.

[misfish]

Rob, bolt it to the frame.Run a wire to it with a small light. It,s easy to do and legal. As stated, it must be lit up.

[kickingfrog]

I get the light thing, just like a rear plate on vehicles but it's not lit now. The only "light" is the red tail light and we know that that doesn't light spit.

 

The light on plates is a dated law that serves no purpose now but to write someone up for it.

 

Currently replacing a plate ($35) is far cheaper than a ticket so back it goes.

[DRIFTER_016]

I get the light thing, just like a rear plate on vehicles but it's not lit now. The only "light" is the red tail light and we know that that doesn't light spit.

 

The light on plates is a dated law that serves no purpose now but to write someone up for it.

 

Currently replacing a plate ($35) is far cheaper than a ticket so back it goes.

 

Yep, my trailer doesn't have a light on the plate either.

Came that way from factory.

Never had an issue with the cops over it.

I need to move mine as it's getting beat up and could easily suffer the same fate as the OP's.

 

My first boat I used a flat bed trailer to haul it around.

It was hard to see the plate so I hung it on a chain around the OB so the cops could see it.

Got pulled over and they said it needs to be on the trailer and that it didn't matter if they couldn't see it.

[Sinker]

I bolted mine to the trailer frame between the lights. No issues. Been that way for many years, and even been pulled over with it there with no questions asked.

 

S.

[b_cdot]

ive used zip ties for years, no problems yet

[John Bacon]

My trailer actually does have a light for the plate. It is on the bottom of the frame; I didn't even know it was there until a few minutes ago. Some of the other trailers probably have them to.

[dave524]

A lot of plates sit right under the tail light assembly and a clear lens on the bottom allows the tail light bulb to illuminate the plate as well.

[cheaptackle]

Use gear clamps - allows the plate to swing if it contacts an obstacle just like zip ties would, but are much stronger. Almost all my boat trailers (amongst others) have had that highly tecknickel redneck modification.

 

Michael

[chris.brock]

 

I'm pretty sure legally all that is required on a trailer is one red light (lamp),

 

No signals, break lights, reflectors or plate lights are required in the Highway Traffic Act. They make the trailer manufacturers put that stuff on though.

[dave524]

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section5.4.5.shtml

[Dabluz]

Wow....only 1 red light in Ontario. Here in Quebec, trailers must have 2 red running lights with brake lights and signal lights.

[OhioFisherman]

I lost my boat trailer plate on a terrible private road. Picked up a new one but I'm trying to think on a better way to attached it to the trailer now. The plate mount that I had has the licence plate below the break/signal light and is going to come off again if I don't do something different.

 

Is there any reason I can't just mount it to the back frame of the trailer with zip ties or wire?

Did the plate break off or did the screws-bolts vibrate loose? I always used 1/4 - 20 stainless bolts with nylock fasteners on mine, never lost a plate or bolt. You can drill a couple of extra holes in the plate and use cable ties for added protection?

[Brettiop]

Wow....only 1 red light in Ontario. Here in Quebec, trailers must have 2 red running lights with brake lights and signal lights.

Yea that seems strange to me?

 

We really arent required to have signal lights on a trailer?

 

My right tail light is out and i was going to re-wire the whole trailer, but do i even need to legally? Doesn't make sense to me

[Loonietoon]

Wow....only 1 red light in Ontario. Here in Quebec, trailers must have 2 red running lights with brake lights and signal lights.

If your trailer is less than 30" wide you are allowed only 1 red tail light plus 2 reflectors either side.... over 30" 2 red tail brake lights and signal lights ... your signal lights do not need to be red.. can be amber for your signals only .... you need to dig deeper into the laws....

Edited August 11, 2016 by Loonietoon

[Brettiop]

If your trailer is less than 30" wide you are allowed only 1 red tail light plus 2 reflectors either side.... over 30" 2 red tail brake lights and signal lights ... your signal lights do not need to be red.. can be amber for your signals only .... you need to dig deeper into the laws....

I'de like to be shown where this is written, i cant find it

[Ralph Field]

One of my tail lights had a clear section that illuminated the licence plate.

[Loonietoon]

I'de like to be shown where this is written, i cant find it

If you go into www.etrailer.com/faq-trailerlighting-info-and-regulations.aspx you will find it. I have been in transportation Safety for over 10 yrs and also a driver for 40yrs and if you think about it... every trailer on the road is required by law to have 2 stop,signal and brake lights and trailers over 80" are required to have marker lights

Edited August 11, 2016 by Loonietoon

[Brettiop]

If you go into www.etrailer.com/faq-trailerlighting-info-and-regulations.aspx you will find it. I have been in transportation Safety for over 10 yrs and also a driver for 40yrs and if you think about it... every trailer on the road is required by law to have 2 stop,signal and brake lights and trailers over 80" are required to have marker lights

Thanks

[Loonietoon]

Think about it... if you came upon a trailer with only 1 light and you could not see the vehicle pulling the trailer... how would you know if said vehicle was turning right or left if you could not see the the lights on towing vehicle something to think about when it comes to LOGIC

[Brettiop]

Think about it... if you came upon a trailer with only 1 light and you could not see the vehicle pulling the trailer... how would you know if said vehicle was turning right or left if you could not see the the lights on towing vehicle something to think about when it comes to LOGIC

 

 

That's exactly why i asked....because another site linked said otherwise. Didn't believe it to be true but i wanted to see the writing that proved it wrong.

 

The link you provided didn't work, but it did direct me to a site that seems to have some nice light kits i am going to order now.