Are 8 Side Marker Lights on a Trailer Too Much Power Draw

Question:

How many side markers can i hook into a 4way harness. My trailer has 4 per side. Diagrams all show just one per side. Is there a limit?

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

The limit to the amount of lights you can connect to any given circuit on a trailer connector is up to several factors. Primarily it depends on what the vehicle side trailer wiring harness is rated for. If it is factory wiring then this information could be in the owners manual. If it is aftermarket then I would need to know the make and model of the harness and I might be able to determine what it is rated for.

As long as the combined draw of all the lights on a given circuit are less than what it is rated for you will be fine. You have 8 side marker lights and 2 tail meaning 10 lights. That is potentially too much draw. If you switch the lights to all LEDs, it would not be a problem since LED lights draw a fraction of the power of incandescent lights. I have included some links to the right that should help including one to the LED lights we carry.

expert reply by: Michael H