Restore 7" Pancake Brake/running lights ?

[SimplyLesa]

I understand it is easier to just go out and buy a set of plug and play multi-function lights and have them installed. ...but this is MY camper and I love the big round multi function lights on my 1983 Scamp. ..so I just spent $25 in parts to fix up the lights. Someone please tell me I'm not crazy. (The guy at NAPA had me feeling really bad about fixing what I have)

Any tips or tricks I should know about?

[Rick Mooyman]

The old style lights are not very bright and are hard to see. The new LED lights are very bright and can be seen by the drivers behind you. I would also advise adding a high mount brake light to your camper as well as it seems the most drivers now a days don't see the regular brake lights and seem to be plowing into the back of trailers. I have heard of 2 trailers in the last week the were written off because they got rear ended. The first did have bikes on the back that covered the lights so no one could have seen that one stopping to start with.

Just my opinion.

Originally Posted by SimplyLesa

I understand it is easier to just go out and buy a set of plug and play multi-function lights and have them installed. ...but this is MY camper and I love the big round multi function lights on my 1983 Scamp. ..so I just spent $25 in parts to fix up the lights. Someone please tell me I'm not crazy. (The guy at NAPA had me feeling really bad about fixing what I have)

Any tips or tricks I should know about?

[mszabo]

10-4 on not being able to see them.
Them old lights are maintenance hogs, your fixing them on every trip.
Do yourself a favor and order a set of 7" round LED's from Chuck.
You won't be sorry and they look better than what you have now.
just my $.02

[SimplyLesa]

Chuck?

Sent from my SCH-S968C using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[mszabo]

Lesa, I'm sorry he is a vendor on this site.
I'm trying to find a link to his lights.
Someone will help shortly.

[mszabo]

Tail Lights LED 7 inch diameter Trailer Lights

[SimplyLesa]

Ok. Thanks now my current ones have a license plate holder attached. ..what do you do with that?

[sarahspins]

If it's like mine, the plate bracket just fits under the light and mounts with the same screws... Replacing the light on top isn't an issue

[SimplyLesa]

Thanks Sarah. Mine is riveted onto the aluminium plate that holds all the light sockets.

[mszabo]

License Plate Holder and Light

[SimplyLesa]

Does anyone know how to get Chuck to respond. I've been waiting since the 11th to hear from him about ordering.

[Joe MacDonald]

If you get adventurous Google tail lights repair and replacement, and bulbs. You,don’t be Amazed at what products are available. You will probably be able to come up with a combination that will give you LED lighting with your old covers keeping the original look you like. I spent about $40. And replaced all my sockets, and added led bulbs. Others here have found many other great ways to keep the original look but get the brightness of LED lighting

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by SimplyLesa

I just spent $25 in parts to fix up the lights. Someone please tell me I'm not crazy.

You're not crazy. I bought a set of (non-LED) 7" round tail light fixtures for my Compact Jr. You can always use LED bulbs in the older fixtures.

[SimplyLesa]

Well I may not be crazy but I got screwed. I couldn't find side mounted sockets so I stopped by a shop in town. They restore and make street racers. (Rolling my eyes) I explained that I had about $30 for this project. My red reflectors were cracked and new LEDs from Chuck are around $60. The shop owner told me no problem. ..then took a week to cut up the backing plate and rig up some wierd LED thing and had the nerve to charge me $80...OMGOSH - really. He argued when I told him that I could not afford that so he kept my lights....
Darn people. No wonder I have trust issues. ....anyway.
Because the VintageRV parts website had replacements but in the end would have been $130 including the license plate bracket....I ordered new ones from Chuck that should be here on Monday.
Darn disappointing - but a good safe solution that still fits my budget. (I will update other posts about silicone and leaks soon)

[SimplyLesa]

Update:
Btw I have sold my Scamp although the LED taillights that I got from Chuck we ere fantastic. Bright enough for today's tailgating drivers.
The new owner mentioned that they were a big part of their decision to buy my particular scamp