Red Ford Super Duty towing trailer with clearance lights prominently shown on roof

Why do some pickup trucks have lights on their roofs?

Colorado’s Western Slope is an area that, by nature, is primed for adventure enthusiasts and thrill seekers. The prospects of hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and many other outdoor activities are often too good to pass up, which is why you’ve probably seen many a heavy-duty truck pass you by on the highway on the way to the fun. You might have also noticed those yellow lights that accent said trucks’ roofs. But why is that? Why do some pickup trucks have lights on their roofs? The answer is both interesting and quite amazing, so come on in with our Carville’s Auto Mart team and check it out today!

Purpose of clearance lights on large pickup trucks

Many larger trucks of the half-ton to full-ton variety, such as the Ford Super Duty or GMC Sierra, have wider wheelbases than are generally found on the road. They’ll usually also sit higher than many of their pickup counterparts, and due to Department of Transportation regulations, most of these trucks are required to have “clearance” lights that sit on top of them. These amber-colored lights have a major use to help you out as you drive.

White Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD model plowing snow with clearance lights visible on roof

Silver Ram 3500 truck hauling camper with clearance lights visible on roof

The first purpose of clearance lights is to alert drivers to a larger truck’s presence on the road. Since they have a much wider stance than most other vehicles, it’s crucial to know and give more space to riders of these trucks on roads that are narrower than usual. Under current regulations, these lights are required for trucks that are over eighty inches wide. Of course, these lights can also be ordered for simple styling purposes, which makes sense, considering that on the right truck they look really cool!


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Test drive a large pickup truck in Grand Junction CO

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty pickup to aid you on and off the road, you’re in luck! Our inventory is filled to the brim with the best truck models that the industry has to offer, so feel free to contact our Carville’s Auto Mart sales team to get behind the wheel of one today. We’re more than happy to find the right one for your needs!