Over the past couple of years LED lights have improved greatly. They are higher quality, brighter and (most importantly) CHEAPER (unless you are shopping for LED lights at Camping World). There are also a wide variety of LED bulb types and styles that were not available as little as two years ago.
Marketing for LED lights (including bulbs) has improved as well. Most listings now offer a color temperature choice, usually "Warm White" or "Cool White", often with photos depicting the color difference (many will actually list the Color Temperature**).
There are two good sources for buying your LEDs online: Amazon and Banggood.com. While most of your Amazon purchases will ship from the United States many will be shipped directly from China, so be careful and watch your delivery dates. Conversely, most of your Banggood purchases will be shipped direct from China, usually in 20 to 45 days. If you are not in a rush the prices from Banggood are hard to beat.
We are currently in the process of upgrading all of our LED lights to the "Warm White" variety. I am actually going to build custom fixtures based on some very nifty LED bulbs I found on Banggood.
So, if you haven't upgraded to LED lights, Now is a great time to upgrade !!!!!
** Note: Bulbs are rated based on a "Color Temperature" chart, (see Below) the lower the temperature the yellower the color of light produced, the higher the number the Whiter/Bluer the light becomes, For Example:
A normal incandescent bulb has a yellowish color and a Color Temperature of ~ 2,700k
A "Warm White" LED still has a yellowish glow with a Color Temperature of ~ 3,000k
A Fluorescent light bulb in an office has a "Bluish" hue and a Color Temperature around 4,000k
Many "Cool White" LED bulbs have a "Bluish/Whitish" color with a Color Temperature of ~ 5,000k
In your travels have you found anything to work better with the tail lights? I know that many companies have produced 1157 LED bulbs but from other reviews I have read it doesn't seem to make the older style Bargman 92 tail light appear much brighter. I suspect its because that style of light, unlike most cars, has no reflective material inside and the bulb is running lengthwise in the mount. Perhaps some type of flat panel LED?
We have a new trailer on order and wish there was another option.
If you are buying a new trailer, I would imagine that there is an LED option. I would defiantly upgrade to an LED tail light ( I'd even add the optional second pair of tail lights [LED of course]).
If you can't get an upgrade to LED taillights, I'd try to buy the Bargmen LED lights and get the Mfg to install them for you.
The lights on my trailer never were bright enough for me, so I wound up replacing the entire tail light with a New LED tail light from Bargman (Very Bright).
By-the-way, if you get an additional pair of taillights I would suggest you add a "quick flash" module (you may need a pair) to the additional pair of lights. The quick flash quickly flashes the second pair of LED brake lights for 4 - 5 seconds before going to solid red. This is my attempt to get the driver of the car behind me to LOOK-UP and PAY ATTENTION !!!!
Here is a link to the Bargman lighting Catalog...
http://www.bargman.com/support/catalogs/HorizonGlobal-2017-K-Vehicle-Illumination.pdf
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Thanks never knew about the brake flash module. Did a quick Google search and came up with several.
I should hear from Scamp HQ around March for final build instructions before they start on our trailer (that's what I had been told to expect) I will ask to see if they would honor any options in that regard.
Yes, in our initial order (back in October) I opted for the second set of tail lights.
Good ideas all! Thanks
I do this routinely when I see that the traffic ahead is coming to a stop or seriously slowing down. I move my foot down and up a couple of times. It is really simple.
-Paul
2004 Scamp 19 Deluxe,
2021 Tacoma, Double Cab, 6 cyl. 4WD
Colorado
Yes, tapping the brakes will work, however, sometimes you won't have time to flash your brake lights because you need to step on the brakes hard.
One benefit of using the brake flasher is that if you have two sets of brake lights (or even a third brake light) is that when your emergency flashers are on, the set of lights with the flashers on them are constantly "quick flashing" while the other set of lights are flashing normally.
From the rear you get this neat Strobe Effect that makes your camper look like a police car pulled to the side of the road.
You can't draw too much attention to your rig whenever you are sitting on the side of the highway.
A lot of new cars are installing the quick flashers on the third brake lights to attract the attention of Texters everywhere !!!!
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
I agree, if I really need to brake hard, I skip the "flashing". I try to avoid those situations by leaving a lot of room in front of me. Making ourselves more visible is always good in the Age of Distraction. I actually feel more comfortable towing the Scamp, because my rig is more noticeable than the truck or car alone.
That Bargman catalog is quite interesting - almost overwhelming in how much stuff they have to offer.
-Paul
2004 Scamp 19 Deluxe,
2021 Tacoma, Double Cab, 6 cyl. 4WD
Colorado
Thank you so much for all the information, particularly the chart. I just ordered a 13ft scamp last week and it will be available in September. I want to change out the lights to LED and am wondering if you see a difference for reading when you are choosing the cool or the warm types? I imagine at times I will be reading for enjoyment but also working (reading and grading students' papers). I'm blind in one eye so I don't want to strain my eye but I do want LED lights.
Hoping your adventures are wonderful,
Sue
2017 13' Bunk Bed/Big Bed
Subaru Outback 2011
Hi Sue,
I'm not blind in one eye, but I *do* have issues, mostly age-related. I think the first thing to look for in shopping for LED (or any other) lighting is the lumens. Maybe you can figure out how many lumens works for you, in your Scamp, if for instance you're using incandescent right now. Then go for at least that number of lumens in your replacement bulbs.
As far as color temperature goes, I find about 3000 to be good, at night, when I'm trying to do close hand-work on embroidery. 2700 is pretty yellow. As long as I'm looking at ink on paper, 2700 is all right, if there are enough lumens. If I'm trying to do white-on-white embroidery, it's a different story! 3000-3200 gives real clarity, which so necessary for that fine sort of work, where precision, needle stab after needle stab, is critical. But if I get up to around 3500, that's getting to be a bit harsh. Your Mileage May Vary. Only you can really know, through experience, what's the most comfortable for you in balancing both color temperature and lumens. But I'd say, start with lumens and work from there. Just my 2¢.
Joan
Joan,
Thank you so much for talking about this way. Trying to understand this issue in a "how does it function" way has been difficult, but seeing your explanation with the needlework, I understand much better. I don't get my Scamp till September (it's now an 8 month wait--this will let me be all the happier when I get it!) but I am storing away all of this so I can make it the best I can for using energy wisely.
Hoping your adventures are wonderful,
Sue
2017 13' Bunk Bed/Big Bed
Subaru Outback 2011
Sue, I also ordered a Scamp 8 days ago. I was told that reading lights are LED, stock. I have yet to get a second call and will ask about a second set of tail lights.
Sept seems like a long time now. Are you picking your Scamp up? We are, from Calif.
Mark
Thanks for making us feel so welcome.
If you have a choice, Please buy, "Made in America"
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