Boat Trailer Lights Go Out when Trailer Is Coupled to the Hitch Ball

Question

Question:

why do my boat trailer lights stop working when I put trailer on hitch

asked by: James

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds like there is a ground problem or a short. Something is not grounded properly and the metal on metal of the trailer coupler on the ball is causing a connectivity issue. Check the main trailer side connector ground. It should be attached to a clean and corrosion free bare metal surface. If it already is, try moving the ground location to a new spot on the trailer. Also make sure the vehicle side trailer connector is properly grounded.

Also check for any wires with nicks in the wire that may be touching bare metal on the trailer. This can cause a short circuit when the coupler attaches to the ball.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

In some cases trailer lighting will ground through the hitch ball but that's typically only if the actual ground circuit is insufficient. This is not an ideal setup. It needs to ground through the wiring of the trailer harness. You can test…

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Answer 2

In some instances the trailer will try to ground itself between the hitch ball and coupler if the trailer's own ground connection is weak or poor. The best solution is to re-establish the trailer's own ground connection. Find the…

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Answer 3

It sounds like you have a ground issue. When trailer lighting does not have a sufficient ground many different scenarios can show up, but the most prevalent is when the most amperage is applied, like tail lights on and brake pedal pressed, the…

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Answer 4

It sounds like there is a short circuit that is overloading the running light circuit in the tow package wiring on your tow vehicle. The most likely culprit is a dirty or corroded trailer connector on the vehicle or trailer if not both. The first…

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Answer 5

It could be a tow package fuse on the vehicle. Use the owners manual to find the locations of fuses/relays related to the tow package wiring to check them and replace as needed. If the issue is not a fuse or relay then you can test the vehicle side…

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Answer 6

Your trailer lighting is flickering because the wiring of the trailer is grounding through the hitch ball and coupler and not through the ground wire circuit. When you hit a bump the ball intermittently stops making contact with the coupler which…

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Answer 7

The T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector #118467 is the one I recommend over the other two for your 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i. This brand of harness has less issues than the others. The Hopkins #HM11143885 and the Curt…

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Answer 8

The Draw-Tite part #75673 would be an excellent choice for a trailer hitch for your 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6L Limited. This hitch has more more attachment points to the vehicle than the comparable Curt hitch (total of 6 versus 4 for the Curt product).…

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Answer 9

The small amount of surface rust on your ball will not affect its future performance. If the ball had been exposed to the elements for many months or years and the corrosion was more severe, I would be reluctant to use it. Since the rust is minor,…

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Answer 10

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 11

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 12

Yep, so long as your 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is not a hybrid both the Curt and etrailer hitches will fit: - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13382 - etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98912 The only difference besides price is the finish; the…

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Boat Trailer Lights Go Out when Trailer Is Coupled to the Hitch Ball

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