Trailer Light Kits vs Light Boards - what suits your build?

Trailer manufacturers get asked this a lot: should a trailer be built with a permanent tail-light kit, or a removable light board? Both are valid, but they solve different problems.
 

When a tail-light kit is the right choice

A tail-light kit is the go-to for new builds and long-term setups. You mount the lights permanently, run the loom once, and the trailer leaves your yard ready for years of work.

For manufacturers, the advantages are straightforward:

• Consistency across builds
• More secure mounting than a board
• Cleaner wiring runs
• Fewer 'loose plug / weak earth' problems later

If you're producing light commercial trailers, plant trailers, or general flat-decks, a sealed LED kit is a solid default.
 

When a light board makes sense

Light boards shine in temporary or flexible situations:

• hire fleets
• quick repairs
• trailers with variable loads that might obscure fixed lights
• customers who want a removable solution

They're also useful as a stop-gap if a customer damages a pair of tail lights and needs a fast WOF-safe fix.

But for new builds, boards are rarely the cleanest or most durable solution.
 

Boat trailers - the tie breaker

Boat trailers change the equation. Because immersion is part of normal use, a sealed LED tail-light kit is typically the better long-term answer. You can mount lights properly, protect wiring, and reduce the chance of board connectors corroding after repeated launches.

If your workshop builds lots of boat trailers heading into NZ summer, choose the most sealed option you can.
 

Bottom line for manufacturers

• New builds: use a sealed LED tail-light kit.
• Temporary/flexible setups: use a light board.
• Boat trailers: favour kits with higher sealing.

See tail light kits and light boards