Safelite vs SCA Trailer Light Board (Supercheap Auto)

Safelite vs SCA Trailer Light Board: Is a Generic Trailer Board Right for Your Bike Rack?

The SCA Trailer Light Board from Supercheap Auto is one of the most widely available light boards in New Zealand and Australia. At $119.99 AUD, it is affordable, and it is sold in hundreds of Supercheap Auto stores across both countries. But the SCA light board is a generic trailer light board, not a dedicated bike rack solution. This distinction matters more than you might think.

At a Glance

The Fundamental Problem: It Is Not a Bike Rack Product

The SCA Trailer Light Board is designed for towing trailers, boats, and caravans. It is a 1.5-metre board that hangs from the back of a trailer, held in place by the trailer's own structure. It does not include any attachment system for bike racks. It does not include a number plate holder. The product description on Supercheap Auto's website explicitly states: "CHECK LOCAL REGULATORS ON FITMENT. ADDITIONAL ADAPTORS (SOLD SEPARATELY) MAY BE REQUIRED."

If you attach an SCA trailer light board to a bike rack, you are improvising. You will need to source your own straps or bungee cords, you will need to find a way to mount your supplementary plate, and you will need to manage 8 metres of cable that is designed for a trailer, not a compact bike rack installation.

The 8-Metre Cable: Advantage or Inconvenience?

The SCA board's 8-metre cable is its most notable specification. For trailer use, this length is essential. For bike rack use, it is excessive. Most bike racks sit within 1.5 metres of the vehicle's trailer plug. An 8-metre cable needs to be coiled and secured, which adds complexity to the installation and creates a potential safety hazard if the cable is not properly managed.

The Safelite Light Bar comes with a 1.4-metre cable, which is the right length for the vast majority of NZ bike rack installations.

No Number Plate Holder

The SCA trailer light board does not include a number plate holder. This is not an oversight; it is simply not designed for this purpose. A supplementary number plate is a legal requirement when carrying bikes in New Zealand and Australia. You would need to fabricate or purchase a separate mounting solution.

The Safelite Light Bar includes pre-positioned holes and bolts specifically designed to mount a standard NZTA supplementary number plate. The Safelite Panel with Supplementary Plate bundle ($210) goes further, providing the plate itself.

The Verdict

The SCA Trailer Light Board is an excellent product for its intended purpose: towing trailers. It is not designed for bike rack use, and using it as a bike rack light board requires significant improvisation that may not result in a compliant or safe installation.

If you are carrying bikes on a rear-mounted rack, you need a product designed specifically for that purpose. The Safelite Light Bar is purpose-built for bike rack use in New Zealand, with the right cable length, the right attachment system, the right number plate mounting, and the right compliance documentation.

Shop the Safelite Light Bar →

SCA and Supercheap Auto product specifications and pricing based on publicly available information as at April 2026. SCA and Supercheap Auto are registered trademarks of Super Retail Group. Safelite is not affiliated with Supercheap Auto.