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LED rear lights for trailers? Don’t forget the triangle reflector!
- Updated:
- By: Lars Nuwenhof
Contents
The short answer
Trailers and semi-trailers require two red triangle reflectors at the rear. These make the trailer visible when headlights shine on it, even if its own lighting is switched off. UN R48 applies to their positioning and visibility. The reflectors can be fitted separately or integrated into the LED rear light, provided they comply with the approval and fitting regulations. See also the range of TRALERT® LED rear lights for trailers.
Are triangle reflectors compulsory on a trailer?
Yes. A trailer must have two red triangular reflectors at the rear, with the apex pointing upwards. This requirement stems from UN R48 and is therefore similar in many countries. The triangular rear reflector is for trailers; motor vehicles must be fitted with non-triangular reflectors. National regulations regarding use, inspection and older trailers may vary, so please check the relevant regulations for the country in which you are driving.
Why are triangle reflectors compulsory?
A trailer has no engine of its own and relies on the towing vehicle for its lighting. A reflector reflects light without requiring power, so the trailer remains visible if the lights fail or the trailer is unlit.
A triangle reflector is not a warning triangle. The reflector is permanently fitted to the trailer. The warning triangle is a separate triangle that you place on the road in the event of a breakdown.
Where must triangle reflectors be fitted in accordance with UN R48?
Section 6.15 of UN R48 applies to the mounting of triangle reflectors on a trailer. The key requirements are:
- two red triangle reflectors, pointing upwards and facing rearwards;
- the outermost point of the reflective surface must be no more than 400 mm from the outer edge of the vehicle;
- the inner edges must be at least 600 mm apart; for vehicles less than 1,300 mm wide, the minimum distance is 400 mm;
- The height must be between 250 and 900 mm above the ground. If the reflector is grouped with the rear lights, the maximum height may be 1,200 mm, or up to 1,500 mm if the shape of the bodywork makes any other arrangement impossible.
These are the specifications for type approval. For final mounting, the amendment series of UN R48 under which the vehicle was approved applies. National approval requirements may differ, for example regarding the permitted distance from the outer edge. For other lighting on the trailer, please refer to the mounting instructions for trailer lighting.
What approval must a triangle reflector have?
A triangle reflector must be approved in accordance with UN R3 or UN R150, Class IIIA or IIIB. You can recognise this by the E-mark on the reflector. A red triangular component without approval is not compliant. You can find further background information in our explanation of ECE regulations.
Apart from the trailer LED rear lights, what other reflectors must be fitted to a trailer?
As well as LED rear lights and triangle reflectors, trailers often require other reflectors to comply with traffic regulations. The requirements vary by vehicle category and country. The most common reflectors are:
- White retro-reflectors. These are normally fitted to the front of a trailer and indicate its width. This is particularly important for other road users at night and in poor visibility conditions.
- Amber (orange) retro-reflectors. These are normally fitted to the sides and indicate the outline of the vehicle, particularly in the case of a tall or long trailer. They are often incorporated into LED marker lights, hence their rectangular or round shape.
The mounting height varies depending on the type of reflector. For the triangular reflector reflector, the height must be between 250 and 900 mm above the ground (see above). For the other ambers, UN R48 sets its own requirements. Our ambers are available in red, amber and white.
LED rear lights for the trailer with reflector built-in triangle reflector – is this also an option?
Yes, that’s possible. You’ll increasingly see LED rear lights for trailers with an integrated triangular reflector. In that case, you don’t need to fit a separate red triangle reflector, provided the integrated reflector itself is approved (UN R3 or UN R150) and is positioned correctly in accordance with the requirements above. A triangular shape without approval does not count as a reflector. The new VC-3000 serie , for example, are supplied with both rectangular and triangular reflector .
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Left | LED neon rear lights | dynamic indicators | 12-24v | 200cm cable | VC-2001
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SKU:
VC-2001
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LED rear lights left | 12-24v | 6-functions 100cm cable | VC-4501
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SKU:
VC-4501
Choice of single function or multifunctional rear lights
The choice between single-function rear lights and multifunctional rear lights for trailers is a matter of preference. Many trailer manufacturers opt for multifunctional rear lights due to the limited space on the rear bumper. This also saves costs, as no separate retroreflector is required next to the lighting. However, some trailer manufacturers still opt for single-function rear lights for aesthetic reasons. Take a look at the most common shapes of LED rear lights.
You can find LED rear lights for the trailer with a triangle reflector at TRALERT®
TRALERT® supplies rear lights for trailers and reflectors for unbraked and braked trailers, tandem-axle trailers and trailers. Please contact our specialists for assistance in selecting LED lighting and cabling.
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Author
Lars Nuwenhof
Lars is a lighting specialist at TRALERT® and responsible for the dealer portal. He writes about LED technology and helps customers with digital links and smart lighting solutions.
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