I realize this subject has been brought up countless times on this forum and I have read most of them. I understand this issue appears to be widespread across all brands, so why am I choosing to bring it up here? Because I own a Fleetwood and I am working with them on this issue.
I would like to start by addressing those who will say just upgrade to HID lights, they are awesome. Well, number one that doesn't solve what I consider to be a safety issue of inadequate light as delivered on my MH and two, HID lights are illegal unless they are OEM. This is a quote from one of the leading HID conversion kit sellers on the web:
Are these bulbs Legal for highway use?
Everything we sell is not legal for use in the U.S. and they exceed the D.O.T.'s regulations for brightness and are labeled for "off road / show car use only." However, I have never witnessed the authorities remove a bulb to check for a D.O.T. sticker, have you? These laws are changing as many people feel it is unfair if you wish to save thirty thousand dollars and buy a car not made in Europe why should you have to live with crappy lights? Almost all cars made in the United States do not have optional HID lamps. Is this fair?
You have to dig really deep in their web site to find this information, and I love their justification for selling kits they know are being used illegally.
I have researched minimum low beam distances and high beam distances by state and while there are some differences they are close in requirements. The minimum for low beam is 150-200 feet. High beams 450-500 feet. This appears to be in direct correlation with stopping distances of cars on dry pavement traveling at 55 mph.
Here is a simple chart that shows stopping distance at 55 mph. It does not consider reaction time distance. Reaction time distance at 55 mph is 60 feet, so you have to add the 60 feet to get total stopping distance.
I am choosing to use the bus as it is probably the closest to my MH in size and weight. With a stopping distance of 230 feet and reaction time distance of 60 feet, total stopping distance is 290 feet or more easily put 90 feet further than low beam lights are required to illuminate. To not overdrive your lights you would have to drive around 45 mph, assuming your lights properly illuminate to the minimum required distance.
I have read the Daniel Stern stuff, but it does not apply as my voltages and headlight alignment all checked out as good. Voltage at bulb 13.2, grounded properly, and proper alignment.
Here are my lights at night on low beam.
On high beam
My 2013 F-150 with halogen headlights
As you can see, my truck gives good illumination using halogen lamps. So why are my MH lights so poor? It appears by reading on IRV2 that my headlights are from a Jeep that is over 10 years old technology.
When I notified Fleetwood of my concerns I was told they had only received one other complaint about the lights. How many on here have what they consider inadequate lights? I know it's more than 1. It appears most people just modify their lights with aftermarket bulbs or illegal conversion kits. I wonder how many would be satisfied if their new coach came with tube TV's? My guess is most would laugh at the old technology and demand better/newer technology. So why not demand the same with a safety item?
My plan is to call my contact at Fleetwood and show him my side by side pictures. Fleetwood has been awesome working with and at a minimum I am hoping they acknowledge they should be putting better lights on their products. If not mine, at least on their new products.
Sorry this was so long.
Brian
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum
I wonder if a retailer such as M4 might be of some help since they specialize in RV LED bulb replacement?
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