Troubleshooting Trailer Wiring with Brittle Ground Wire That Keeps Breaking
Question:
My ground wire on my boat trailer was left too short and It has come loose from the grounding screw. Thought I could just splice onto the wire and extend it but when I try to cut the white plastic sheathing off the pigtail ground wire, it crumbles..no matter how gently I try to do this. Thought it would be individual wires inside the sheathing but seems to be a single very fragile wire. How can I fix this— short of replacing the entire pigtail connection on my trailer?
asked by: Rusty H
Expert Reply:
If the wire is that fragile, I recommend replacing it now. If you can find a part of the wire to splice into then you can absolutely do that, but if it is too fragile then it won't provide a good ground and the other wires in that harness are likely made of the same material. If you can find a solid point of the wiring you can splice in # 16-1-1 with butt connector # 05731-5 and ring terminal # DW05737-1.
I recommend the 35 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 42" Ground # A35W42B if you have a 4-way trailer harness or # A40W5B if you have a 5-way trailer wiring harness. I've attached help articles if you need help wiring your trailer.
Products Referenced in This Question
16-14 Gauge Butt Connector - 5 Pack
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Butt Connectors
- 16-14 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
40 Ft 5-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 30" Ground - 5' Auxiliary Wire
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- 31 Feet and Longer
- Plug and Lead
- 5 Flat
- Optronics
more information >
Deka Ring Terminal - Heat Shrink - 16-14 Gauge - 1/4" Ring ID - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 1
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Ring Terminals
- 1/4 Inch Diameter
- 16-14 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
35 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 42" Ground
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- 31 Feet and Longer
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Optronics
more information >
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