Replace tail light fixture?

[KarenH]

Here I am in Wichita, and din't the left tail light fail The RV dealer wonders about replacing the entire unit (can't get the new bulb into the old fixture, as it's rusted and misshapen).
My little 13' Boler, 1975 model, is getting a workout on this trip from ottawa to Albuquerque and back.
Any sources in Wichita or nearby to replace the unit?? Or, ideas about how to jury-rig a turn signal light?
(I've already thought of drawing a sign on the back of the trailer - TAIL LIGHT DOESN'T WORK - but that might attract police.)
Thanks
Karen H

[Pam Garlow]

You could buy a set of the light sets that are put onto cars that you are towing - you can pick them up at Auto parts stores and a lot of hardwares. The set includes two tailights (which have magnets on the bottom to stick to the car) and a long pigtail to bring forward and plug into your vehicle. You could put them on your trailer bumper

[Roy in TO]

A local garage, auto parts store or trailer shop should have the socket that can be replaced. It looks like this:
eBay.com.sg: 1157 P21/4W 2057 7528 Light Bulb Socket BAY15d Clip (item 220416824704 end time Oct 10, 2010 09:05:38 SGT)

[KarenH]

Roy, you are such a big help! As soon as the nearby auto parts store open, I'll be there.
THANKS!

[mcbrew]

Karen, this won't do you any good now, but I always put a thin layer of dielectric grease on the base of the bulbs... this helps to keep them from corroding and sticking in the socket. Also, when possible, avoid the bulbs with a brass base... use the ones with silver colored bases (plated brass). These have less of a tendency to corrode.

Dielectric grease is the same stuff that is recommended to put in the trailer light connector between your trailer and tow vehicle... so you might already have some.

[KarenH]

Thanks to all for your advice / comment.
The RV dealer pirated a socket from a new tail light assembly, screwed it into the base of the light, and, IT WORKED.
He called 6 places in Wichita trying to find the piece that Roy recommended, but none carried them. Had I had more time I would have ordered one from e-bay but time being of the essence, the dealer's improvisation would do.
Turn signal works like a charm, and I tooled on down the road to Tucumcari today,signalling frequently, just because I could

[Roy in TO]

Glad to hear it Karen. Any RV dealer that would do that to help a fellow FGRV member is worthy of recommondation in these forums.

[KarenH]

Thanks to all who helped on my problem, including Roy.

And, a special thank you to Flint Hills RV, just off Kellogg St. in Andover, Kansas, a suburb of Wichita.
Darrell, head technician, and his staff worked overtime to figure out a solution to the problem of replacing a corroded tail light socket in my 1975 Boler; made many phone calls to find the correct part; and in the end improvised a solution that we were all happy with.
Thanks to Flint Hills RV!! http://www.flinthillsrv.com/

Originally Posted by Roy in TO

Glad to hear it Karen. Any RV dealer that would do that to help a fellow FGRV member is worthy of recommondation in these forums.