Rear light
The rear light on a trailer or semi-trailer is a safety-critical component that must comply with European homologation regulations at all times. Any lighting unit installed on a European trailer must meet the requirements set out in ECE R7 and ECE R48. These regulations define not only which lighting functions must be present, but also precise mounting positions, visibility angles, luminous intensity and colour for each individual function. For professional trailer builders, bodybuilders and truck workshops, compliance with these standards is mandatory for both new builds and replacement installations.
ECE R7 covers the technical requirements for non-triangular retro-reflectors and for position lamps, including the rear position light. It sets minimum luminous flux values and maximum limits for light distribution. ECE R48 governs the installation of lighting equipment on vehicles, including trailers and semi-trailers, specifying which functions are compulsory, at what height and position they must be mounted, and how the electrical connection must be realised. For a semi-trailer, this means that the rear light assembly typically takes the form of a combination lamp integrating multiple functions: stop light, position light, direction indicator, fog lamp and, where applicable, reversing light, all within a single ECE-approved housing.
Within the dekoff.com range, Hella rear lights for 24V systems represent a well-established choice for professional applications on heavy vehicles. Hella maintains a comprehensive ECE-certified product range developed specifically for the European trailer market. The construction of these lamp assemblies, in both conventional and LED versions, is matched to the electrical specifications of 24V vehicle systems that are standard on trucks and semi-trailers in international road transport. A Hella rear light 24V therefore integrates directly into the electrical installation of a semi-trailer without modifications to voltage or wiring.
LED tail lights for semi-trailers are increasingly specified in professional applications for sound technical reasons. An LED light source draws significantly less current than an incandescent unit, reducing the electrical load on the towing vehicle. Furthermore, the service life of LED components is considerably longer, reducing the frequency of unscheduled replacements in service. For trailer builders and bodybuilders delivering vehicles with extended warranty periods, this is a technically relevant consideration. However, an LED tail light for a trailer must meet the same ECE R7 and ECE R48 requirements as a conventional lamp, including correct light colour, beam angle and stop lamp activation response time.
The combination lamp for trucks and semi-trailers integrates multiple homologation-required functions into a single unit. This simplifies installation and reduces the number of individual connection points in the vehicle wiring. When selecting a combination lamp, it is important to verify which functions are incorporated and whether the left or right designation corresponds to the required mounting position. Many assemblies are asymmetric in design due to the specific optics of the direction indicator or the legally prescribed colour of the rear fog lamp on the left-hand side.
Replacement lenses for existing rear light units deserve separate attention. When the outer lens of a lamp unit is damaged, it is technically and legally necessary for the replacement lens to match the exact specifications of the original unit. An incorrect lens can adversely affect light distribution and may place the vehicle outside its ECE homologation. Correct fitment of left- and right-hand versions is therefore not a minor detail but a regulatory requirement.
In the daily practice of a truck workshop or trailer manufacturer, this means that rear lighting must be managed with care. Whether replacing a damaged unit on a semi-trailer in the workshop, building a new refrigerated trailer or flatbed, or carrying out periodic inspections of a vehicle fleet, every rear light fitted to a trailer or semi-trailer must demonstrably comply with ECE R7 and ECE R48. Dekoff.com supplies only ECE-homologated units for the European market, giving trailer builders, semi-trailer specialists and transport companies with their own workshop access to technically correct and legally compliant lighting components for every application in the truck and trailer sector.