Does it Matter Which Wires are Power or Ground for Electric Trailer Brakes

Question:

My trailer has 2 wires going to the magnets, white and black, I assume the black is ground, but its in the wiring harness going forward, I read in the instructions that it needed to be grounded to the backing plate or close to it, I assume its grounded to the tongue and thru the 7 way plug to truck. this is the way Haulmark trailers wired it

asked by: Rob S

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are asking what wire should be ground and which is power for installation of the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-458-459.

The wires can be used for either, so if you want to use the black for ground you can, and the white wires will then be the power wires. You should then connect the ground wire to the trailer frame and connect the others to power like in the cut out I added. This is from the linked help article "Parts Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to a Trailer."

I have also added a link to a video showing how to install electric brakes such as the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-458-459.

expert reply by: Kyle S