Boat Trailer Causes Trailer Brake and Trailer Turn Signal Fuses to Blow

Question:

I am blowing fuses in my truck for the trailer brake and turn signal lights randomly. The running lights work fine. 4 Pin plug 2011 shorelandr trailer all LED sealed lights. Thanks

asked by: Brian F

Expert Reply:

There are a couple of possible reasons the trailer brake and turn signal fuses have been blowing. First, you want to make sure you unplug your trailer's 4-Way connector from your vehicle's connector before you back your trailer into the water. Unplugging these connectors can help protect the light circuits from the water. It is best to unplug the connectors a couple of minutes before you back your trailer into the water.

If you already unplug your trailer connector before backing into the water, another possibility is that your trailer's left or right brake and turn signal wire has a short. This is fairly common on boat trailers, because the wiring is ran through the trailer's frame, leaving the wires to rub on the inside of the frame as it rusts. Eventually the wire will wear through, and then the bare wire is able to make contact with the trailer frame. It is also possible that 2 wires have rubbed down to bare wire and then these two signals are touching. When this happens it causes a short, which can blow a fuse.

If you find that the wires on your boat trailer have become damaged, you can use the Bonded 4 Wire # 16-4B-1 to replace the trailer's wiring.

expert reply by: Victoria B