License Plate Light and Mount

[dmcgaugh]

Chalk this one up in the unnecessary upgrades category, but the chintzy license plate light and mount on modern Airstreams has always bothered me.

I looked into swapping out for a vintage reproduction mount and while I like the all stainless steel construction, I wasn’t crazy about the mounting on it either.

So, I ended up with a separate light and plate mount that I’m pretty happy with. The mount holes for the light line up almost exactly with the original (after some very minor slotting of the holes on the new light). I used some 1/8” foam as a mounting gasket. The plate mount is actually meant to be for a BMW (so uses metric plate mount screws), but is very simple and pretty well made with a 4-hole mount for the plate.

If anyone is interested, here’s the parts list:

HEAVY DUTY LICENSE PLATE 6 LED LIGHT BOAT TRAILER RV TRUCK ATV - CHROME - QTY 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L45WK3C..._N0uADbT2PRZ06

JoyTutus Fits BMW Rear License Plate Bracket Frame Mount Tag Holder for 1 to 6 Series https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C7YZ6SK..._n1uADb1C75KS2

Tokept Polish White Stainless Steel License Plate Frame with 4 Holes(Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IF0Y2MS..._61uADbQTC7MA8

[DougFelts]

Very nice! I have wondered how long it will be until the cheap plastic light and mount break on my 2019 FC 26RB every time I was it... might have to add this to the work list.

[Rich W]

My license plate holder is steel and it's rusting. So is the inside of the chrome light bulb holder. Maybe plastic is better? At least it could be made of aluminum, maybe?
My owner's manual says my AS is wired for a backup camera but it must not be at the license plate light, there's only one wire. Maybe somewhere else.

[dmcgaugh]

Originally Posted by richw46

My license plate holder is steel and it's rusting. So is the inside of the chrome light bulb holder. Maybe plastic is better? At least it could be made of aluminum, maybe?
My owner's manual says my AS is wired for a backup camera but it must not be at the license plate light, there's only one wire. Maybe somewhere else.

I think the prewire for the backup camera is behind the center (upper) clearance light.

The chrome plated plastic definitely will not rust. The light I bought from amazon actually comes as a 2-pack anyway, so I figure I’ll always have a spare too.

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by dmcgaugh

I think the prewire for the backup camera is behind the center (upper) clearance light.

The chrome plated plastic definitely will not rust. The light I bought from amazon actually comes as a 2-pack anyway, so I figure I’ll always have a spare too.

I was thinking that the center marker light might have a second wire. I'll check up there when I clean those up.


My license light is integrated with the license plate holder. I think I can salvage the chrome light holder but the plate holder is rusting pretty bad. Looks like it was enameled but it's rusting from underneath the enamel. It comes as an integrated unit. Vintage Trailer has it for $33.

[batman]

Very Nice!
I got mine from VTS and it is chromed and rusting nicely. lol
Time for an upgrade.

-Dennis

[Rich W]

I ordered a replacement from LED4RV. They have 2, which I didn't realize until after it shipped. One is slightly more expensive, $3. It is sprayed with an acrylic clear paint from Airstream to help the light last longer. I don't know if that's the chrome, painted holder or both. My painted holder is pretty rusty and this appears to be an exact replacement.

http://led4rv.com/catalog/index.php?...saocf3rudomli1
Yankee License Holder by Signal-Stat 435W SKU537

http://led4rv.com/catalog/index.php?...saocf3rudomli1
Yankee License Holder by Signal-Stat Enhanced 435WE SKU538