Heh, sometimes I forget about them too, but if you're around the back of the trailer at night with the lights on, you'll remember!

Yes. My dealer tapped into the center light on the spoiler to get power for my backup camera.

Has anyone replaced 1 of those 3 high clearance light bulbs? My 2011 RP-175 had 1 of the 3 burn out and I am hesitant to remove the spoiler /re-caulk etc if don't have to. So I set out to find a how to DIY tube and failed. I can barely find a proper name for the bulb but looks like this:

https://www.etrailer.com/p-PE57GR.html - https://www.etrailer.com/p-PE57GR.html

Can I just pull the bulb/grommet out and have enough slack to replace it?  I tried prying it out and it was real tight so I decided to wait and come here for a consult. Thanks.

I am surprised one of these lights would fail, maybe its the wiring. 

I was bummed it failed but only mildly surprised as I seem to be tackling a light issue of some sort every few months. I figured prying the grommet out was the first step since I would have to do that even if I removed the entire spoiler.  I do hope its just a loose wire or short inside there. I do need to re-chaulk that top side of the spoiler it seems.

Thanks for the quick reply and picture - you know a picture is always worth a thousand words!

You have the correct replacement IF that is the issue.  A couple of the marker lights on my fender have done a similar thing.  Fortunately by simply unplugging and replugging it back in the socket the problem solved itself.

In a similar case (2010 171) the individual did as Tulefog did and by simply cleaning the contacts (where it plugs together) the issue was resolved, hopefully yours will as well.  And if not, at least you were able to find the correct replacement on e-trailer.

Thanks for the advice yeah for $10 plus probably $10 shipping lol I am going to make sure I cannot get it back online first before buying a new one that may end up being a different shade of red. I need to measure it but it sure appears to be 3/4". 

I suspect my front/top spoiler seal is breached and water has been getting in there and will caulk.  I have never climbed up on top of my pod but may need to for that job. 

Side note a decent sized dead branch hit my pod while camping during a storm - 10 foot long 2 1/2" at the thickest part - it glanced off the front corner after I had walked by 30 seconds before. Lucky in that it missed me and that it hit the rounded part of the pod. I do need to inspect proper though up high.  Ironically I told my friends I was not fearing the trees in that state park since the trees were clearly maintained regularly. Doh! 

I live backed up to heavy woods and widow makers are for real. I often point to a forest or canopy and say: Every single thing you see there is coming down, by man or by nature.  Make no mistake

Yeah I may rip off the whole damn spoiler and stop messing around. I figure this one bulb being out may make that decision easier for me. I presume it is totally safe to be atop a 10 year old RPod... but if my sagging floor is any indication maybe that is not a wise presumption. Life is full of dangers jeez. 

I have never seen a campsite roped off - you were apart of a safe operation there. Now with demand so high... bah the campers will probably be safe. Probably. 

Thanks for the ladder tip. I have a 6' A frame but have been standing on the spare tire in my receiver/hitch so I can lean on her.  Caulking the front side would be tough with my current gig but I will borrow a ladder if needed. With my weight spread out I do feel confident my roof would hold.  Pretty confident lol. 

I may WD40 my grommet to ease removal. My pry efforts were requiring more force than I was comfortable with.  

Looking at your original picture.  Was that the way it was caulked from the factory or maybe done by a previous owner?  Looking at mine (white spoiler on a 2011) is was a much cleaner finish job than what you show on yours.

Great idea on your part to remove the whole spoiler and see what you have.  I did the same on mine a few years back, fortunately no surprises.  Got nervous hearing  about all the leak issues coming from less than idea work from the factory.  Found nothing that was defunct, actually was quite pleased with the workmanship observed under said spoiler. 

Instead of caulking the spoiler, I would suggest that you use eternabond tape on the front and sides.  Use the "advanced search" feature and there are several posts about eternabond tape and spoilers.  It is much better and easier than caulk

Vann

Turns out I could just pull the bulb outward and the grommet stayed in place. 

I ripped the bandaid err spoiler off.  It wasn't sealed fully so it was easy to remove and there was a lot of debris under there. I couldn't remove the wire caps on my faulty light (lucky it was the last of the 3) so just cut the 4 wires and re-spliced - fail - no light. One of the wires metal was awful dark. I got the multimeter out and sure enough I have 12.2 volts so I am going to replace the light.  

It was all dirty as hell and so I power washed everything and probably will cause a few more issues haha. 

Power was fed from the interior on the far right/passenger side edge under the spoiler, to anyone curious where their power feed may be. I didnt need to get up onto the roof and there was enough slack in the electrical to let the spoiler hang off the side. 

Order placed at etrailer and I have a week to check out eternabond. 

I am not sure if I will go with the tape just yet - but its a proper solution for sure. I suspect I will have another light go out and the tape may be a bit to wrestle with as it seems like a permanent solution - probably last longer than my pod lol. 

The gap on the front of the spoiler seems reasonable to caulk. The wiring/wire caps will be taped up (electrical) and taped up into the spoiler (I love HVAC foil tape) and the backs of the light (and around the grommet) can be covered over with caulk. That leaves the screw holes and the wiring exit as potential breaches which I will probably just take care of with a little plumbers putty - another fav of mine. 

My bigger question is whether I will fully seal the backside... I presume so but may leave a small water drain point or 2. 

actually, most use the eternabond tape on the forward edge and the 2 short sides, leaving the bottom edge  open for drainage.

I cleaned all of the old caulk off with a plastic scraper and mineral spirits.  cleaned it well with more mineral spirits and a plastic scrubber pad. I then applied a short piece on each side.  Last, put one full length piece across the front edge of the spoiler going from outside edge to outside edge of the 2 side tape strips.  roll over it with a roller for good adherence.

should last forever

Vann

Thanks for the info! I have a week to decide my plan.

Can eternabond be fairly easily removed if I lose another clearance light, or maybe just cut with a razor and eternabond over it?

I don't think you will remove eternabond tape without a LOT of effort.

I'm sure you can cut it and recover if necessary.

Vann

Yeah that name sure sounds close to ETERNAL and figured it aint coming off easy.  I envision just a razor cut if I needed to remove and then just slap an identical size piece right on top.