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10-05-2013, 06:53 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Michael J
Trailer: U-Haul VT
Indiana
Posts: 505
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UHaul tail lights
I have been in contact with a tail light manufacturer who can reproduce the Tail light lens. It will not say UHaul on it. I am looking to judge the amount of interest there might be before investing in the tooling necessaryto produce the product. For 100 pieces it looks like the costwill be in the $75 range per lens after I factor in Customs duties shipping and tooling. 200 pieces will get about a $10 break on the total. Obviously the more I buy the cheaper the individual cost. Unfortunately there are only a limited number of these critter floating around so I think I am limited to 100-200. If I get enough interest It may be worthwhile or if someone else wants to partner I am open to that option.
Michael J.
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10-05-2013, 08:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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Will they be available in solid red ??
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10-05-2013, 09:29 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,711
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Wow, this sounds like a huge financial investment to me. I don't think there are 100 U-haul owners on the forums between here and at the UHaulForum. I wish you well, I truly do.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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10-06-2013, 11:28 AM
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#4
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Moderator
Trailer: U-Haul 1985
Posts: 3,436
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Mike, thanks for checking into this. Would be nice to have a supplier for these babies. I'd like a pair of standard (red/amber) taillights, but at this price, I want to make sure its a reputable fabricator with quality products. Have you checked out other work that they do?
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10-06-2013, 11:57 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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If anyone happened to watch an episode of American Restoration on the History Channel where they were restoring some old motor scooter, they needed to make a new tail light lens. They used the old one to make a mold, poured in some liquid plastic (don't know where that came from or how) and next thing you know they had a nice new lens. I'm sure it's not as simple as they made it look. Seems to me a solid red lens would be easier to make.
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10-07-2013, 04:10 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Patti
Trailer: 1984 UHaul CT13
Colorado
Posts: 451
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Michael, I would be interested in red/amber set. That would be great "Bling" for my girl.
Donna, I know we come and go, but over the past two years I have listed 129 owners and I did not go back further than that. That's a good percentage if only about 2200 were made.
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10-07-2013, 04:45 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: U-Haul 16 ft Vacationer
Posts: 1,549
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We have been waiting for the previous poster who has been experimenting with making lenses. No word for several months now. His price per set was about the same ($150 for two). I would like a set from your source if you think it is a well built lens. Either red/amber or all red is fine with us, but red/amber is preferred. Would you like us to send you the money pre-manufacture?
By the way, if I read this correctly, you need 50 orders to make the 100 units, right?
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10-07-2013, 05:43 PM
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#8
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Member
Trailer: 84 U-Haul CT
Posts: 85
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Michael,
I'd be interested in a set...red/amber or solid red. I won't be picky about it. I'm afraid to take mine off for fear that they will fall apart. I only hope that I don't blow a bulb. I did buy some of the metal ones, but will only use as a last resort. Too ugly!
Marty D
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10-07-2013, 06:24 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Michael J
Trailer: U-Haul VT
Indiana
Posts: 505
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mary and bob
Will they be available in solid red ??
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Not unless I can sell a hundred of them, figured the original would be more popular
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
Wow, this sounds like a huge financial investment to me. I don't think there are 100 U-haul owners on the forums between here and at the UHaulForum. I wish you well, I truly do.
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Yep
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam Garlow
Mike, thanks for checking into this. Would be nice to have a supplier for these babies. I'd like a pair of standard (red/amber) taillights, but at this price, I want to make sure its a reputable fabricator with quality products. Have you checked out other work that they do?
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seem to be a big outfit Manufacturers Automotive Lights | Exporters Automotive Lights | Automotive Lighting Equipments India | Two Wheeler Lights India| Led Auto Lights
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin A
We have been waiting for the previous poster who has been experimenting with making lenses. No word for several months now. His price per set was about the same ($150 for two). I would like a set from your source if you think it is a well built lens. Either red/amber or all red is fine with us, but red/amber is preferred. Would you like us to send you the money pre-manufacture?Not ready to pull the trigger just yet
By the way, if I read this correctly, you need 50 orders to make the 100 units, right?
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not necessarly some may want only 1
There is one other option. Take a look at the old Sprinter Taillights on American Pickers. The problem is the curvature of the lens and the $50 for a used one. size is within a quarter of an inch both ways and you have to cut it apart heat it to bend and then drill the holes but it looks possible. I think I will also have to have a gasket rehab also to be viable.
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10-08-2013, 01:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Vanessa
Trailer: UHaul
California
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mmeyer
I have been in contact with a tail light manufacturer who can reproduce the Tail light lens. It will not say UHaul on it. I am looking to judge the amount of interest there might be before investing in the tooling necessaryto produce the product. For 100 pieces it looks like the costwill be in the $75 range per lens after I factor in Customs duties shipping and tooling. 200 pieces will get about a $10 break on the total. Obviously the more I buy the cheaper the individual cost. Unfortunately there are only a limited number of these critter floating around so I think I am limited to 100-200. If I get enough interest It may be worthwhile or if someone else wants to partner I am open to that option.
Michael J.
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Michael, I'm interested in purchasing a set if they're a true reproduction of the original lens. I also want the rubber gasket if they can mfg those.
Thanks for looking into this!
__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-Vanessa
....no matter where you go, there you are!
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10-13-2013, 02:24 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Name: Bill and Sue
Trailer: CT 13 U-Haul
Montana
Posts: 6
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Michael, I have a CT 13, and I would be very interested. Yours, Bill and Sue
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10-15-2013, 05:23 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Michael J
Trailer: U-Haul VT
Indiana
Posts: 505
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Attached is a photo of the tail lens made by one of the members here. Higginra purchased and installed it. I think it looks pretty good. As such I have decided not to pursue the effort of importing reproduction lenses. I will explore the gasket modification repair as it appears to be a more viable option.
Michael J.
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10-15-2013, 05:37 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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I must have missed that one, what exactly did he do to make that lens.
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10-15-2013, 05:40 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: 16 ft U-Haul VT
Posts: 2,867
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My cousin spoke with 3D printer users who said that 3D printers can manufacture a copy of the taillight.
CindyL
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10-15-2013, 05:44 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Michael J
Trailer: U-Haul VT
Indiana
Posts: 505
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mary and bob
I must have missed that one, what exactly did he do to make that lens.
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poured plastic resin/ The seem to be somewhat thicker but look just fine. my only issue would be exposure to UV light.
i am going to try the Sprinter tail light option first
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