Troubleshooting Boat Trailer Where All Lights Stopped Working

Question:

Hi. just got a boat trailer that has had the lights upgraded to LED. worked fine the way down then upon heading home nothing. Vehicle connector working fine. I suspect trailer ground. However the white ground wire runs inside the trailer frame towards lights with others. Most everything ive seen says ground is screwed on trailer tongue. Any ideas? The lights have grounds to frame. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

Since the connector on your vehicle is functioning properly you are correct in assuming that it is likely a ground issue causing your lights to no longer work. There should also be a main ground on the tongue of the trailer as you mentioned.

I recommend seeing where the white wire comes out of the frame, and looking for any loose ground connections. I also recommend cutting the white wire before it goes into the frame and adding a length of # 12-1-1 with a ring terminal # 44-5310A to ground to the tongue of the trailer. You will want to use heat shrink butt connectors # DW05745-5 to make this a weather tight connection.

I included a link to a helpful article on trailer wiring for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C