Light lenses

[Super_Dave]

My 5th wheel is missing some of the light lenses and others were found to be cracked. I assume that this is from sides flexing? Anyone else experience this?

[deltabravo]

Super_Dave wrote:
My 5th wheel is missing some of the light lenses and others were found to be cracked. I assume that this is from sides flexing? Anyone else experience this?

Sides won't flex and cause a lens to fall off.

I replace all of my marker lights with these sealed LED marker lights which don't have a lens to fall off /fade / discolor.

My last RV had them for 10.5 years and they still were to proper color, not faded like happens on other lights.

[CavemanCharlie]

If you are talking about the side marker lenses and if they are the old style like mine are with incandescence bulbs.

Then you might as well get a couple of spare lenses and carry them with you.

They are cheap and fall off often for no real reason. You can glue them on but, the bulbs fail often too and then you can't change the bulb out. If it's not the bulbs then it is the socket getting weak and not holding the bulb tightly anymore. If it's not the socket getting weak then it's corrosion and a bad ground (they are grounded to the skin of the camper)

Dammed things are always broken in some way or the other. About 2-3 times a year I have to do a check and fiddle with them to keep them working.

[2oldman]

They can also discolor and get brittle from the heat from incandescent bulbs. Thank goodness those are gone. I had one develop a melted spot.

[RAS43]

DrewE wrote:
They can also crack from stuff hitting them (obviously) and from water sneaking in and freezing. Especially the cheap ones seem to be somewhat of a wear item that periodically need replacement.

I very much doubt it's due to the sides flexing; if they flexed that much, you'd be noticing that your RV's structure was made of something like wet noodles.

X2 just cheap lenses. Get some spares and change as needed.

[Lwiddis]

Not from flex IMO. Replace all and seal well.

[DrewE]

They can also crack from stuff hitting them (obviously) and from water sneaking in and freezing. Especially the cheap ones seem to be somewhat of a wear item that periodically need replacement.

I very much doubt it's due to the sides flexing; if they flexed that much, you'd be noticing that your RV's structure was made of something like wet noodles.

[Second_Chance]

If your sides are flexing enough to do this, you have a much bigger problem than lenses for running lights. The plastic in the lenses ages and degrades with exposure to UV light, but a 2018 rib seems a bit new for this to be the case.

Rob

[MFL]

I've had some broken/cracked by hail over the years, but never heard of side flex causing it?? I've towed many miles in the extreme cold of Winter, with enclosed snowmobile trailers, with lots of LED side markers, and 4 large LED brake/tail lights, with no lens issue, often on rutted snow packed roads.

Jerry

[2oldman]

no