Recommended Wiring and Lights for Utility Trailer

Question

Question:

I have another question that you may be able to help me with. We wired this trailer a few years back and we used the blue snap connectors for the running lights. Well, these are not water proof and I experiences a lot of wire corrosion. I did some 'patch work', but it is time to rewire the trailer and I want to make sure the wiring system is as water tight as possible. Glossing through your website I see that there are many options for lights and many price points. I also see a lot of the kits utilize the same blue taillight connectors that caused me a lot of issues. Maybe you could provide some direction or point me in the right direction. I did replace the running lights with some cheaper LEDs and soldered them and used the silicon shrink wrap, but the whole system needs to be replaced. Probably looking to stay with the LEDs. Anyway, here are my specs on the trailer to give you an idea what I have. . The trailer was a boat trailer that we converted into a rectangular shaped quad & utility trailer. . 4 pin connection . 18' 4" from tongue to taillights . 74 inches wide on the deck . 93 inches wide from the tire fenders . Wiring runs through the framing . 2 yellow running lights (1 on each side) on the tongue . 2 yellow running lights (1 on each side) on the front of the fenders . 2 orange running lights (1 on each side) on the rear of the fenders . 2 rectangular tail/brake lights. 8 x 3 inches . License plate light . 3 bulb light on the back center of the trailer Water deterioration seems to be my biggest issue. Looking to do a quality replacement & a reasonable cost. Your products run a wide range of pricing, which is good.

asked by: Rob D

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

I'm assuming you want to replace everything here so I will start off with a 4-way. I recommend using the Hopkins Endurance 4-Way Flat Trailer Wiring Harness - 30' Long # HM48265. This will give you a lot of wire to work with so you can hook up all of your lights.

This uses your typical 18 gauge wire for the lights and 16 gauge for the ground. If you need additional wire you can use the # SWC97FR or # DW02923-1. You could use the Self-Stripping Connector with Waterproof Sealant - 14-18 Gauge - White and Blue - Qty 1 # SWC501746-1 for connections. This uses a waterproof sealant to help keep out moisture and prevent corrosion. I'm not sure if these are the same blue connectors you previously used or not, there are definitely blue ones without the sealant.

For your lights I recommend the following:

-LED Clearance or Side Marker Trailer Light w/ Reflector - 1 Diode - Black Base - Amber Lens # MCL0032ABB (for your 6 running lights)

-LED Trailer License Plate Light - Submersible - 3 Diodes - Clear Lens - Black Housing # LPL82CBB

-Optronics LED Combination Trailer Tail Lights - Submersible - 40 Diodes - Driver and Passenger Side # TLL160RK

-Optronics Streamline LED Trailer Tail Light - Submersible - 3 Function - 11 Diodes - Red Lens # STL79RB

I have attached some review and installation videos for your reference. I also included some help articles on trailer wiring that you can check out.

expert reply by: Robin H

1

Answer 1

Though we do not carry the replacement Peterson 343A light the closest replacement option that we have is The LED Clearance or Side Marker Trailer Light #MCL0032ABB.The light is 4 inches long by 2 inches tall by 1 inch thick. The distance between…

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Answer 2

I haven't seen the yellow and white before on the #MCL0032ABB but that is likely correct. Yellow is power and white is ground. The easiest way is to test it out. Since you are installing several lights I would go ahead and hook one up and…

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Answer 3

We have the parts you are looking for, but none of our 4-way connector harnesses use 14 gauge wiring as 4-way connectors typically use 16 gauge wire. With that said you can make your own using the Deka Jacketed 4-Wire - 14 Gauge #DW04923-1 which is…

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Answer 4

The only version of the etrailer wiring 7-way upgrade kit part #HS381-9000 that we offer is this one that has the RV wiring colors. The best solution I can provide to help with that is a wiring diagram that has both color setups for you to compare…

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Answer 5

We have the part #DW04923-1 which is a jacketed 4-way wiring sold by the foot. All you have to do is enter a quantity of how many feet you need into the quantity box and we'll ship you out that length of 4-way wiring.

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Answer 6

We have a kit that is designed specifically for converting the 4-way of a trailer to a 7-way. For that you would want the 7-Way Upgrade kit part #HS381-9000 which comes with everything needed.

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Answer 7

First you will want to connect an 18 gauge wire to the Temp Sender mounted on your vehicle. You will then route the wire through the firewall into the passenger compartment where the Temperature Gauge is mounted and attach the Temp Sender wire to the…

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Answer 8

It sounds like you want to tow a pair of trailers in line, and to hook up the lighting you will need to use junction box #38656 along with 4-flat connector #18172, which you can mount with brackets #18144 and #18140. You are going to run the lights…

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Answer 9

I do say those welds are bad and it appears the bumper is simply welded onto the back plate of the trailer rather than the frame. I recommend removing the entire bumper for the Mount-n-Lock Heavy-Haul'r Replacement RV Bumper #MNT43VR which you…

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Answer 10

License plate lights are universal so there aren't any specific fits for a 2018 Hyundai trailer, which means in order to determine the correct one, you only need to measure the width of the mounting holes. Knowing this spacing will allow you to…

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Answer 11

You can route the wiring in either orientation. A harness like the Hopkins Endurance 4-Way Flat Trailer Wiring Harness #HM48265 is referred to as a wishbone harness and comes with 2 separate brown wires that are bonded to the corresponding green and…

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Answer 12

I went out and measured the mounting studs on the license plate light, part #LPL82CBB, and they're right at 3/4 inches long. You'll need to source the nuts locally and I also recommend heat shrink butt connectors, part #DW05744-5, to make the…

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