Replaced Tail lights Axis

[Ubugarrity]

Got tired or replacing bulbs because the lights leaked. (Like every other part on a Thor) Found these on Amazon (Partsam 2Pcs Rectangle LED Trailer Camper RV Triple Tail Lights Stop Turn Tail Backup Reverse Lights Taillights Vertical and Horizontal Mount - Red and White) Lined up with old screw holes. Wiring is pretty easy to figure out. Broke two screws holding the old ones on, one came out with vice grip, the other I had to grind flat and drill. Both bottom center holes have no wood behind them for the screw to catch so I wedged a piece of plastic in the gap. They are just a mm smaller than the stock one so you have to clean around the area really well before installing them.

 

[16ACE27]

Yep, standard LED upgrade/replacement. Most people also waterproof the cavity when in there. FlexSeal or similar.

 

[Ubugarrity]

Anyone find a LED replacement for front amber lights?

 

[16ACE27]

Anyone find a LED replacement for front amber lights?

Pretty easy on the jungle site.

 

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

I have initiated a sealant task for everything i touch on the RV. I just re-installed LHS license plate light. When i took off the tail light, i seal the entire area by brushing on Flex Seal and then a small bead of silicone sealant around the entire light edge and gasket. Then a little bead on top of the light when installed to divert the water more. Its time consuming, but no more leaks and the wood stays fresh and new looking.

 

[Dave Randolph]

Got tired or replacing bulbs because the lights leaked. (Like every other part on a Thor) Found these on Amazon (Partsam 2Pcs Rectangle LED Trailer Camper RV Triple Tail Lights Stop Turn Tail Backup Reverse Lights Taillights Vertical and Horizontal Mount - Red and White) Lined up with old screw holes. Wiring is pretty easy to figure out. Broke two screws holding the old ones on, one came out with vice grip, the other I had to grind flat and drill. Both bottom center holes have no wood behind them for the screw to catch so I wedged a piece of plastic in the gap. They are just a mm smaller than the stock one so you have to clean around the area really well before installing them.

I just got these & went over to storage to install them and was like, damn, how do I figure out this wiring mess. I found several comments on Amazon where I bought them, but they were all slightly different.

Your pics just saved me a bunch of time and frustration!

Was the wiring on the passenger side the same? One comment on Amazon said it was slightly different

 

[Ubugarrity]

I just got these & went over to storage to install them and was like, damn, how do I figure out this wiring mess. I found several comments on Amazon where I bought them, but they were all slightly different.

Your pics just saved me a bunch of time and frustration!

Was the wiring on the passenger side the same? One comment on Amazon said it was slightly different

I believe it was the same. Pictures on here have saved me more than once.

 

[Dave Randolph]

I installed new taillights and license plate holder light today.
Thanks to the pics abpve that show the correct wiring

Next up -A Furrion S Vision system (7" screen and 3 cameras) should be here tomorrow, and on Friday, a new Double DIN head unit will be here just in time for our first long trip in it to Spring Hills, Florida over the week of Christmas.

Tomorrow, I'm taking it in to a shop to check out the front-end alignment and get an opinion on improving the ride and handling a bit

 

[Ubugarrity]

I installed new taillights and license plate holder light today.
Thanks to the pics abpve that show the correct wiring

Next up -A Furrion S Vision system (7" screen and 3 cameras) should be here tomorrow, and on Friday, a new Double DIN head unit will be here just in time for our first long trip in it to Spring Hills, Florida over the week of Christmas.

Tomorrow, I'm taking it in to a shop to check out the front-end alignment and get an opinion on improving the ride and handling a bit

Regarding the alignment, caster caster caster. I believe you want at least 4 degrees on left, or as much as possible and then a little more on the right. Research it, there is a bunch of discussions on other forums and YouTube videos. Made all the difference in the world. They need to change the bushings to adjust camber and caster and most places won't do it. Good luck.

 

[Dave Randolph]

The place I'm taking it to works on big trucks, semis etc.

Im trying to get an overall assessment of the ride and handling and options for improving
There a LOT of opinions here in what to do

I also think it needs a lube job. It sat virtually unused in Grand Junction, Co for 2 years. They don't get super cold or much snow. It's high desert. Hot days. Cool nights in the summer, very dry and dusty

 

[The Rookie]

Regarding the alignment, caster caster caster. I believe you want at least 4 degrees on left, or as much as possible and then a little more on the right. Research it, there is a bunch of discussions on other forums and YouTube videos. Made all the difference in the world. They need to change the bushings to adjust camber and caster and most places won't do it. Good luck.

Are these caster settings for F53 chassis of any year?

How much is “a little more in the right”?

 

[Dave Randolph]

Regarding the alignment, caster caster caster. I believe you want at least 4 degrees on left, or as much as possible and then a little more on the right. Research it, there is a bunch of discussions on other forums and YouTube videos. Made all the difference in the world. They need to change the bushings to adjust camber and caster and most places won't do it. Good luck.

They adjusted the camber not the caster. Yes, it was more on the left than the right. They used camber bushings. There was some feathering on the right front tire

They also said there is some wear in the i-bean bushings and it wil run $700 to repair but they also said it isn't that bad

 

[blw2]

Another tweak to consider for those of you working on your similar lights...

I was one of the early ones posting here with a serious rot problem. My entire rear wall was replaced under warranty.

Anyway, that was a long while ago now. fast forward a few years and I did this LED replacement.

Fast forward a few more years...maybe year or two ago now, I spotted moisture condensing in one of my LED fixtures. I ordered a replacement set of fixtures, and in the mean time I removed and inspected them. Thankfully it wasn't the butyl tape leaking but the fixture itself...so my plywood was safe. Seems to have leaked through a microcrack at one of the screws...or maybe in the manufacturing seam. Nothing obvious anyway.

I drilled a small weep hole or two into the back side of the light fixture, careful to make the holes inside the wall cavity so that the perimeter seal would keep water out. Let the fixture dry out a day or two before resealing it with butyl tape. This was meant to be a temporary move while I waited for my new fixtures and time to actually swap them out.

The other thing I did while I had it open was to drill a larger hole (maybe 1-inch or so) through the back of the cavity (or front from the perspective of the RV. My thought was to let that cavity have a fighting chance to breathe if the butyl ever does leak. I thought it would open into the RV's interior, also giving me a way to inspect without pulling the fixture off. I was wrong. There's actually a dead space between the wall and the interior of the RV. Anyway, the dead space seems to be sheltered enough and dry so I let it be.

I never did swap out the fixtures and still have the replacements that I ordered. I check the fixtures pretty much everytime I check on the camper and do a walk around...As of yesterday when I last looked, the fixture still shows no sign of moisture in it and the lights still work.