Installing LED Lights On Trailer Connected to 2003 Dodge Dakota with Incandescent Lights

Question:

how do I wire LED lights on my trailer using 2003 Dakota vehicle with incandescent lights Clear confusion I have from reading so many articles on this subject. Some say you can just slap the LEDs on the trailer and wire back to vehicle using color code: GREEN for left turn and brake.....YELLOW for right turn and brake.....BROWN for tail lights …….WHITE for ground...…. Other sights say you must load resistor in series with hot wires.....Others say you must install a converter on the vehicle. Still others say you must install converter to match the LEDs with vehicle. What is truth and what is fiction? Thanks so much for any help..

asked by: Tom T

Expert Reply:

The 2003 Dodge Dakota does not have a converter box as a part of the trailer wiring. Here is where confusion comes in and where ambiguity comes. Some LED lights may have zero issue plugging directly into the system based on the trailer length, ground connections, and number of LED's in each light fixture. Due to enough power draw.

Other trailers may not have enough power draw and may have hyperflashing issues requiring load resistors either on each line or through a converter like # 20142 or # C35FR that has the integrated load resistors.

My recommendation is to run your trailer lights and if your truck and trailer combination need help then use one of the above or the load-resistors # DI34ZR. If you are using the Combination LED Trailer Tail Light # STL8RB and # STL9RB you may be pulling enough power that you won't have an issue.