Installing LED strip light in enclosed trailer

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pos1

New member
I have a SnowCaps fiberglass lid on my Triton trailer. It currently has a single light mounted to the aluminum frame and doesn't give off enough light. I want to install LED light strips across the top. 2 rows. Easy to splice into the existing wiring. But I don't know how to attach them to the roof. They'll have 3M sticky tape on the back, but I don't think that will hold bouncing down the road when it's -20 outside.

Anybody done this?
 
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skeeter2010

Member
I have LED lighting inside my aluminum truck cap and it has held on for the past 7 years with out any issue hot and cold, you could always use small zip ties to secure it in addition to the tape.
 
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mrbb

Well-known member
make sure you get water proof LED's
and they sell many different types of stick on tabs you can mount and then zip tie too
 
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pos1

New member
Good to know somebody had success with the tape.

Unfortunately, zip ties will not work because the scissor framing that opens the lid only extends about 3' on each side. There is no overhead cross-bracing since its a fiberglass cap and I want overhead lighting. That's precisely the problem.

I've attached a pic. CIMG0895.jpg
 
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mrbb

Well-known member
might have better luck with it being fiberglass, just clean and maybe even lightly sand the area the tape will go on, and stick it on, as fiberglass won't be so up and down on temp changes as aluminum would be!
 
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chunk06

Active member
I had one of those caps. If I remember right its two halves bolted together with a big seam inside? Just drill a couple small holes on the seam and put the lights on that with zip ties.
 
firefighter1

firefighter1

Member
I bought some 3m double face tape for my enclosed trailer. I put it on the aluminum originally with just the glue that came on the back of the strip lights. In extreme cold or hot weather they fell off. This last spring I ordered the 3m tape, i cleaned the glue residue off the aluminum with goo gone and then cleaned again with rubbing alcohol. Put the tape up and then lights onto that and I don’t think they will ever falll again. All summer long I have not had an issue and don’t expect to have one this winter either. I would think it would also stick to the fiberglass just as well, I hope this helps.
 
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pos1

New member
Ok. It's in the back of my pole barn, but will definitely check tomorrow.

Somebody else mentioned 3M outdoor double-sided tale as holding up in all conditions, so that's another option I'll consider.

But if that seam exists I'd much rather zip tie it.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
pos1 said:
Good to know somebody had success with the tape.

Unfortunately, zip ties will not work because the scissor framing that opens the lid only extends about 3' on each side. There is no overhead cross-bracing since its a fiberglass cap and I want overhead lighting. That's precisely the problem.

I've attached a pic. View attachment 57195
Click to expand...

is that thing not bolted together down the center ? if so plenty of room to drill some small holes to put the zip tie through.
otherwise just get a larger led flood light bolt it through the cap with flat top bolts rubber washers and a dab of sealant
also if you prep it very well use the lights with the 3m tape not the china crap it will hold . most of the molding and badges on your cars are on with just that .
if not comfortable with just the tape . run a small bead of silicone down each side of the strip you will not get it off with out some real work and a razor blade then
 
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mezz

mezz

Well-known member
If the seam inside is rough, simply get a palm sander with some medium grit & sand it down. Wipe clean with denatured alcohol or acetone. The 3M tape will stick, & of course as ezra initially suggested, drill holes through the seam & hang with combination of 3M tape & zip ties.-Mezz
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
Double sided 3M VHB tape you can buy it on Amazon it's like 10 bucks a roll and a quarter inch wide which fits on the back of the LED strips nicely. I have a few sets one I put on my two Place trailer and mounted to the aluminum frame rails in the cap they've held great with the zip ties for extra insurance. But honestly original glue on that set of Lights has held fine. Second set of lights is in my truck bed which is covered with a cap and didn't stick it all. I just ordered some more lights for new trailer I picked up and wanted to make sure that the lights stayed put. So I ordered the 3M VHB tape, which is the same grade automotive tape that is used to hold on fender flares, other accessories and even in some cases bond metal together... (See those big trailers that are screwless, that's what's behind the locking seems.) For my new trailer I mounted it along the roof on the outside. It's only been on for a few weeks now but no sign of it pulling off. Even in the areas where the seems are in the aluminum skin...

1- 16 ft long strip will light up your trailer perfectly!
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
Here is a picture of the lights on my new trailer.

Area with no lights on.
IMAG3105.jpg

1 - 15' long LED light set.
IMAG3104.jpg
 
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