FIX YOUR TRAILER LIGHTS (5) - Fixing Ground Problems

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

TO PURCHASE A MULTIMETER - amzn.to/3VmWcfM

[@ericlints2924]

Just like everyone else watching this, I was having grounding issues. A light bulb went off for me at the 9:50 mark; STOP using the frame for electrical continuity from the ground at the light to the coupler; there are too many places for there to be a problem. I stopped watching at this point and went out to run a wire from the white ground on my harness to the stud on my light and BAM, the light worked. Thank you so much for the explanation that led me to my fix.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You are very welcome Eric. Thanks for the feedback, KPO.

[@TomFrank-s8m]

wish you could show how you did that I NEED TOO SEE /NOT TO SMART

[@123Goldhunter11]

Thanks. This is the 1st time I've understood this and I've watched a lot of videos. Bravo!

[@whateveritwasitis]

SO F'en Cool! 50 years old, playing with trailer lights yesterday it finally broke me - I AM GOING TO LEARN whats going on. perfect, thanks man.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Awesome! Here is a whole playlist of my trailer light vids - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2KXnJtoeb6XhdE Should be something in there for most problems. Any questions feel free to ask.

[@whateveritwasitis]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors I watched the whole series last night. I have not been back at yet and waiting on some replacement stuff and if i have problems I will ask thank you. one part I think your missing is attaching the wiring into the actual car. I had problems with my toyota, it didnt work as the instructions told me to do it. so i paid someone 50 bucks because i was ignorant and lazy.

[@deawallace3584]

Thanks for keeping your information basic enough for someone who has never worked on trailer wiring before. I have learned what the all colors mean so now am going to replace all the wiring.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad to help

[@jamsb100]

Perfect!! Clear and concise. After watching many videos on this topic, You Fixed it!! Thanks!!!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad it helped!

[@Gabo832]

Along with the many other commenters sir, I’d like to truly thank you for helping a young man learn something new. It’s all on me to learn now, no one to ask. I appreciate the dad types of videos. ❤gained a sub.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Welcome to the channel and thanks!

[@Lefave15]

The jumper wire was perfect! I redid a trailer and soldered all of the connections and was lost as to why my lights would flicker! Two quick eyelets and a quick connection and they’re steady! Great video thanks a lot!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Awesome! So glad I could help!

[@cyberles8830]

Incredible! We've got a fixed up painted tilt-up trailer and couldn't get new lights to respond no matter what, and this answered all my questions. Gonna run a ground wire tomorrow from from the lights to the connector, like a another comment said.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Awesome! So glad this video helped out. Trailer lights can be a pain if your not too familiar with them.

[@timrichardson3676]

Thank you very much! I had no idea that the whole trailer is supposed to carry the ground current continuously. Really appreciate this explanation. Now my lights work.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad I could help!

[@leskavage]

You have a gift for easily explaining complex issues. This was a great video and I wanted to say thank you for making the whole series, too!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You're very welcome!

[@harleyharleyharley]

Thanks for your help ... had a boat trailer with a bad ground...saved a lot money cleaning up the ground on the trailer with sand paper and wire brush to make proper ground again. 👍

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Great to hear!

[@leblancchris]

I want to thank you for this. My tilt trailer was losing ground, and now it doesn’t. I used your “jumper wire” idea and it works like a charm.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Great to hear!

[@brandonbeja9995]

Never thought of this. Going to try it out. Thanks

[@kevinmalott9625]

Your the man! Jumper ground on my tilt trailer worked perfect! Thanks Plus I learned how to clean northern pike from you! Great videos!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Dude, thanks for those comments! Glad to share!

[@brady3474]

great video, I learned something. After watching, I decided to not worry about all those trailer contacts problems, and just ran wires from each light to the ground at the plug and connected those ground wires to the trailer in three different places. Results, bright lights on my trailer. thanks

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Great to hear!

[@brianwilson8119]

So, my camper has the Peterson 457 taillight fixtures. One broke from being kid and brittle so I replaced them both with new Peterson 457. Hooked green to green, brown to brown, and the white to one of the four mounting screws (metal plate was provided inside the fixture). Buttoned it all up and all I get are turns and brakes, however the thin filament is lit instead of the thick one. Pulled everything off and double checked...all colors are joined as should be. Could the fixtures be miswired from the factory?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

I would double check the white. Make sure it is truly grounded to the frame.

[@jamesletts190]

Your video got me thinking, I have a boat trailer with a swing away tongue and found that the pivot pins had gotten a bit of rust on them. I cleaned the pivot pins and the pin holes and I was back in business. Thanks for giving me Idea's of where to look for the ground problems. Maybe my fix will help someone else that has a swing away trailer tongue.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Awesome! Glad the video helped and yes the swing away tongue would be another point of concern. Thanks for adding in and thanks for watching, KPO.

[@victorgonzalez6200]

Just earned a new sub! Best trailer wiring video(s) on KZbin... Hands down! Keep up this type of stuff!!!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Victor, it's great to have you along. Thank you, KPO.

[@oscarlumbreras7124]

Dude! You couldn't have explained it better! Thanks God Bless You and yours! 🇺🇸

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad to help

[@thesetruths1404]

I saw elsewhere it's best to ground every device on the trailer to a copper wire that's grounded to the vehicle in several spots and also to the front connection where the plug connects.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

true

[@GetRhythm2011]

Exceptional delivery on very critical educating information here. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELPFUL INFORMATIVE VIDEOS.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thank you for your comment, I hope they help, KPO

[@TheFrogfeeder]

Edit: after watching the your video, I realized my trailer isa tilt trailer, I ground another bare metal spot on the tilting frame part of the trailer, jump the ground to it, and voila! IT WORKS! So tomoro I’ll make a more permanent and prettier fix, and when I go get it welded, I’ll have my buddy weld the tilt closed with some good bare contact. Man I love KZbin! I’ll subscribe!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad to hear the video helped! Thanks for watching, KPO.

[@minionkevin6623]

Great video man! Solved my issue, I would have never guessed most trailers aren't hard wired, ..... just through the frame, crazy.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes, a lot of people don't realize that, thanks for watching, KPO.

[@gregliedtke952]

This helped me fix my lights on my tilt bed trailer. Saved me money as I was about to take it to a shop. Thanks a lot!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad it helped!

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

It cost more, but it is neater and more effective to use wiring junction boxes. Use a junction box at the front of the frame and another at the rear of the frame. Run your wiring from the plug and down the draw bar of the hitch and then cut the wiring cable and put loops on the wires and place them on the bolt studs inside the junction box. Then the cable going to the rear junction box can be attached as well. You can run wires to the front and middle lights and one wire from the ground in the box to the frame to create a ground there. Then you just repeat the process at the rear junction box. Running wires to the rear lights and a ground wire to the frame. That way you have two grounding points on the trailer frame and no exposed and loose wires or connections at the hitch. And it will not matter how good or bad the ground is through the ball at the hitch as it bounces around going down the road because all of the grounding is going through the grounding wire. Neater, less prone to failure and you have two convenient places to do trouble shooting because you can just remove the cover lid and have the bolt studs in the box to connect test lights or multi-meters to. And if a wire going to a light fixture is damaged you have a convenient and protected place to remove the wire and reinstall the new one.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Good stuff, thanks for adding in.

[@happysawfish]

Oldtimefarm: that sounds like the way to do trailer grounding. You have a good description. Maybe I can draw that out on paper for myself for a visual. Wish you would make a video of it too. Happy Thanksgiving

[@gweggslist4460]

I have to say a big THANK YOU! My boat trailer lights recently started barely lighting up. There was a white ground wire running to each light from the front 4 prong connector but the lights were directly grounded to the trailer frame. I ended up soldering / splicing in another white ground wire and connecting it directly to the frame. Now I have very bright lights again. Guys like you are why I watch KZbin. Thanks again!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thanks for that comment.

[@dywildatheart]

Thank you, just fixed side markers on boat trailer. Poor ground. Thanks for explaining continuity using the voltmeter, that’s how I fixed it.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Great to hear. Thanks for letting me know that.

[@funnyfarm5555]

Sidebar about trailers; from experience I never store my trailers with the coupler latch in the upright position. I did that one time a few decades back. We had a foster daughter learning to drive a stick shift. She put it in reverse and backed over the trailer tongue, realized her mistake, put it in first gear and pulled forward tearing the latch right off the trailer. Since then I have always put the latch in the locked position and haven't had to buy any more new latches. Glad to see you are using a safety clip pin. I will have to go now and watch your trailer series since this one cropped up in my suggestions, I watched it and it is good, especially about jumping the gap on tilt trailers.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thanks for adding in and thanks for the support!

[@stevemorrison3016]

SUPER helpful! I have a dumping trailer and your solution to add the jumper ground was perfect.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad it helped!

[@dnlmachine4287]

Fender bolts to the body can get loose or fender gets bent away from trailer body. Fender mounted lights need that strong fender to trailer connection. Run a wire from the bottom of light body (ground) to the trailer frame, or fender to frame bolt. Stay gold.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Good stuff

[@gregzerwas9334]

Thank you and thank you! I ended up using some 10" insulated copper wire pieces to "jump" trailer structural part to trailer structural part to get continuity. Rusty trailer connections were not doing the job.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You are welcome!

[@billc3278]

Glad I found this ! Suspect this may be my trouble?? Have a 2018 Colorado and a 1972 trailer lol. Lights will fail in odd way. Replace with new kit every 2-3 years. Current failure left works great, try right, and both lights flash slightly dim ?? What's odd is I hook the trailer up to my 95 S10 and the lights work fine ? Hook the Colorado up to a 2017 utility trailer and those lights work fine with the Colorado. Was advised that electronics on the new truck are less forgiving than the ancient S-10 ??

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Is the older trailer have regular bulbs or LEDs? Regular bulbs can draw more than newer cars are designed for. So some newer cars may need a converter to handle the trailer requirements.

[@mikemitzel7964]

Thank you for the series of trailer light information! took me two nights, but I found my problem. Bad ground. I feel like I can solve any trailer light problems now!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Mike, thanks a lot for that comment. I have a few more trailer light vids rolling around in my head dealing with specific problems. I just need to put them to video. Thanks for the support, KPO.

[@georgem1955]

Thanks, you’re a good instructor. 1 ? If one ground is bad will it affect all lights or just the one fixture. I have power through the hitch and into the trailer harness but no lights work.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If the entire trailer isn't grounded right it will effect all lights. But if one fixture isn't ground and the others are grounded only the one fixture should be effected.

[@serviceproper]

Have a tiltbed and can’t get new lights to work. I’m wondering if I need a jumper wire like you showed? Could I just splice another white ground to the harness and run 2 dedicated grounds back to the lights? I think it’s definitely a grounding issue

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes, running a dedicated white wire to all fixtures will cure many problems.

[@DIYLukie]

Sir you actually solved my problem in literally the first sentence of this video.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Awesome!

[@billyd8084]

You are an excellent teacher. Very simple a yet point on. Now here’s one for ya. What makes my RV lights go OFF when I plug the connectors together from the vehicle I pull?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Something is wired wrong, RV side or pulled vehicle side or both, KPO.

[@billyd8084]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Thanks so much for responding but I reviewed ALL your vid’s and finally figured it out. I had two ground wires attached and when I disconnected one the problem was solved. Love your channel.

[@jackmaster1978]

Thank you! My tilt trailer lights have been an issue since day one. This helped me fix it with the jumper wire setup.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You're welcome!

[@andders2477]

There is a ground wire in the connctor, if you connect that correct then the other stuff at the tow point does not matter?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If the ground at the plug is connected near the hitch and the trailer frame doesn't have continuity back to the fixtures, then all the other stuff does matter. Unless you are describing a ground wire hardwired all the way front to back to each fixture.

[@sjanowski1]

I was pulling my hair out, I lost 6 volts from front of trailer to back even though I ground plenty of space for contact still bad. Crappy frame ground so I ran from lights to front and problem solved. Thank you!!!!!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You are welcome! Thanks for the comment.

[@BoyFindsTako]

Got it, thank you. This guy who ever wired it up cut off the white wire on the four pin. My driver side trailer light was dim. I’m pretty sure this will fix the issue.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Let me know how it went.

[@rudecrudefood7244]

I followed one of your videos to school me on installing my trailer lights. Thank you. I did have some issue with grounding my painted trailer. I ran the ground further back and after grinding the paint off in a spot at the rear of the tongue and drove a stainless screw in with the grounding wire. Trailer lighted right up. Well, except the right maker light. Everything else is up and running. Could you suggest what my problem is with the right marking light?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Well, again make sure that fixture is grounded properly. Then bulbs if it has them. Broken wire, see if you have power at fixture with the markers on.

[@7minnow]

Nice video; Y do you think on my trailer light IN the back I have one LED light Flickering; Y my truck is completely OFF Thank you

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If your truck is off and you have a tail light flickering still, you may have a wiring problem on the truck. One wire shorted to another something like that.

[@PilotCesar]

Well i did it the hard way, I connected all the white cables together with a white cable and now I don’t have to worry at all 😂😂, thank you for the help

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You are welcome, KPO.

[@Dooguy]

What if I have white wires at each light and having issues with 3 out of 10 lights? All aluminum sled trailer that tilts btw. It has me stumped

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Make sure those ground wires have a good connection at each fixture.

[@Dooguy]

@KnettersPracticalOutdoors ty. Found issue. Triton has the rear harness at such a bend to meet front harness connection coming from frame tunnel. Found white ground wire with crack in it.

[@BobbyBowker]

Nice video . I will definitely check out the trailer wiring series that you mentioned. Thanks for making them and I just subscribed.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thanks for the sub!

[@mikes1798]

Very helpful. Any recommendations for those jumper wires and screws one can install which improve ground contact across bolted/clamped trailer frame members? My 1998 shorelandr trailer’s grounding point is several bolted and clamped joints away from each light and the trailer is painted white. Ground continuity is in the mega ohm range between that trailer grounding point and the side light mounting bolts. Car is sending power but none of the lights are working.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

I have often used stainless steel self tapers. I use some in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2KXnJtoeb6XhdE

[@mikes1798]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Just reporting back, ground issue fixed with your help. Those self tappers worked. Thank you!

[@craiglist5006]

Does it make sense if I have a bad / no ground (white) wire connected, that I would have turn and brake lights, but no running lights? Thank you. My white wire is like it's crushed or something. As I strip more back the wire just crumbles out.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Sometimes lights can do some weird things when they aren't grounded. They can use the other circuits as grounds sometimes. It's been my experience that if you're not grounded properly just about anything can happen. Get that ground fixed and go from there. Thanks for watching John, KPO.

[@chrisprovost4018]

Not sure how quickly you check these. I have a Harbor Freight utility trailer I just put together. No luck with the lights. Your video makes sense. I’m wondering if I sanded the area the two side lights are grounded to and where I put the ground toward the trailer tongue should those work if all is well? I still have nothing. I still have to properly ground the back lights so I’m wondering if that’s the issue still but I thought the circuit would be closed for the sides lights to work…? Not sure this makes sense. Thanks for what you’re doing! Chris

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Make sure every fixture is grounded properly. Also any bolt together parts need continuity. Let me know how it turns out, KPO.

[@J.WannaFish]

Your video series helped me troubleshoot my trailer. Found out that the ground wire couldn't be on the tilting tongue rather I had to mount it to the deck portion of the trailer. The same deck portion that the other lights are grounded to.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes! It's really a design flaw with trailer manufacturers. Glad the videos helped. Thanks for the comment, KPO.

[@thesetruths1404]

I have to do this, and also figure out why I turn my lights on the 2005 Yukon, and it's in Park, my RV brakes turn on also.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Checking all fixtures for good grounds is a great place to start.

[@midwestexplorer]

Thank you for this video, very informative. I just bought a boat trailer and I am seeing a strange problem, the lights work when I stand on the trailer, as soon as I get off the trailer the lights go out, what should I look for, please help me troubleshoot this. Each fixture has a ground wire connected to the trailer.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

It is the continuity of the trailer or grounding of the trailer. Check out this other video I did. This will explain it better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpK4m2qQfteqd80 It really sounds like your trailer isn't grounded properly. This video may help also kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2KXnJtoeb6XhdE Let me know how it goes

[@IthacaDon]

I tried using a trailer light tester on my sprinter and it gave weird signals. I plugged the same tester into my friend's Chevy truck and it worked fine. I dis this because my Kenway wireless towing light kit didn't work on my sprinter. After seeing the tester work on the Chevy truck, we tried the wireless light kit on the truck and it worked great. My friend says the Mercedes expects a certain amount of load from the trailer lights that it isn't seeing on either the tester or the wireless transmitter. A y advice?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Does the sprinter work with a known good trailer? Do you have a history of the sprinter trailer lights working with the way they are wired now? Plug a known good trailer into the sprinter or even a tail light package. That should tell you a lot.

[@philiposborne5603]

I have an all aluminum trailer. My fuses are tripping on my pull vehicle. How does an Aluminum trailer get grounded? White wire is connected to the front steel jack assembly. Am I getting continuity at the back of the trailer if I attach it to the light mounting bolt? I'm replacing my lights b/c I don't know if they are bad or if I have a bad connection.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If you are blowing fuses you have a short circuit somewhere. Check out this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6uUm4FpgKajpNU It may help.

[@JB_Hobbies]

Does the trailer tongue need to be on the ball hitch for the lights to work properly? As in, if I am testing my lights by connecting the truck side harness to the trailer harness, will the test fail if I don’t also connect the trailer tongue to the truck ball hitch?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

I have a video that explains it all kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpK4m2qQfteqd80

[@traviscarson9131]

A very good explanation of how to check the continuity

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thank you.

[@teamracing6]

What kind of numerical reading would be considered a good reading in this situation?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If you have a good connection at the leads, I would say it should be less than a couple of OHMS.

[@teamracing6]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors thanks?

[@garypugh1153]

Nice. Im in hot humid florida. Now i understand the white wire grounding thing. 🇺🇸

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thanks stay cool.

[@kingkoopur9212]

My issue is the clearance lights don't work but the brake and signal lights do,I can't find a fuse box for my enclosed trailer.i used a tester for the hitch connectors and changed both connectors ends but I have the same issue.i checked the fuses in the hood they are fine.the clearance lights did work until I connected the electrical hitch connectors while the truck was on

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

So the marker lights worked without the electrical connector plugged into the tow vehicle?

[@kingkoopur9212]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors turns out the issue was a 30a low profile fuse labeled tow tail.i used a continuity tester and swore it lite up,but after I removed it and saw it .I knew it was that fuse.also yes I connected the trailer with homemade battery connectors ..to a spare car battery and the trailer lights worked

[@kingkoopur9212]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors lesson learned... 😂 Turn truck off before connecting the trailers electric connector

[@BBrown-yn9qp]

Great video! Thank you for sharing. This might be overkill but if I have a ground wire from my connector to my lights do I still need to ground my trailer? Thank you

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Its good to have the trailer grounded also. Any short circuits will then blow fuses as they should.

[@springwindstables973]

Thank you for this series. Very informative and well explained!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You're very welcome!

[@PartyBargeCapt]

I think it’s worth mentioning that you check the bulb (non LED) where it mounts into the socket. A little light sanding and cleaning of the bulb and socket . These areas are not water tight and can create corrosion.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes, great point, KPO.

[@derek8843]

09 Tacoma, I keep blowing 1g1 10 amp backup fuse when I put boat trailer in reverse. Trailer shop tested trailer with another tow vehicle, then used a tester with 10 amp fuse and the fuses didn't blow. Therefore he concluded short is on the truck side and he only works on trailer side. Not sure if true or where I should go for diagnose repair a trailer shop or auto electric repair. Thnks any advice

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Any truck side problems are usually near where the harness branches out from trucks wiring, so check there. Also check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6LVoYCZn6yciq8

[@afmoney161]

Great video was completely oblivious to something so simple being wrong! Earned a sunscriber!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Welcome aboard!

[@treyspong5485]

Huge help. Thanks. Especially the tilting trailer info !

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad to hear it, KPO.

[@randygnadke]

I wired the ground front to back, to all four posts or bolts of the two tail lights and intermittently both trailer lights blink with the signal light on. Wiring on vehicle checks out. Any ideas?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If you have bulbs in the fixtures, it still feels like a ground problem. The current is back feeding through the other fixture because it's not grounded properly. That's just what I've seen in the past.

[@apyle63]

Hi Dave. A great series and very helpful. We have a snowmobile trailer that we store outside in the summers here in Ontario. In addition to finding the jack and wheel assembly completely rusted, the running lights and left light aren't working. I got a multimeter and am going to test everything, but given that the left lift works then I'm assuming the grounding through the trailer is fine. Wondering if there is actual damage to the yellow and brown wires through the trailer (perhaps rodents). Thanks, Andrew

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Well the trailer can have continuity, but each fixture needs to be grounded properly too. And yes, mice love to eat wires for some reason. So anything is possible.

[@eddys.razorxp6445]

Very well explained especially for a newbie to electrical stuff. Thanks.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bryanolivas5330]

Home made trailer bought- lights worked when bought- found corroded wires. Bought new lights for trailer- have em all set up, and no lights. Was wondering about trailer itself- it’s painted- does that matter for the ground on the 2bolt lights (no ground) as long as all the ground points are all cleaned down to bare metal? Going to get a fuse checker and a light hookup tester (from vehicle).

[@bryanolivas5330]

Hahah so with all that mess- the painted trailer shouldn’t matter, as long as all the grounding points are cleaned to bare metal, right?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes down to bare metal and the trailer needs to have continuity also, KPO

[@kevinryan4866]

12:13 awesome knowledge and a great help on my exact situation! Thanks So Much!!!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Very welcome!

[@Shapar144]

I’ve bought a few dump trailers from this certain manufacturer and I noticed they don’t have a wire from the frame of the trailer to the negative terminal of the battery. I’ve never really had any problems with the trailer but I’m gonna run a wire from the battery to the chassis Question, what kinds of things could happen if you don’t have your frame wired to the negative terminal? I’m wondering why I’ve never had any problems. Thank you

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If you don't have a white wire grounded to the trailer, thru the plug and then to the vehicle frame, the lights can still work. The trailer is dependent on grounding thru the hitch in this case. Most times it's not a problem, but as the coupler and/or ball hitch rust you may experience lights that flicker or don't work. I touched on this subject a little in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpK4m2qQfteqd80

[@Mandinka711]

I just installed the Curt harness on a 2018 Outback, install went well. However.....my running lights don't work. Turn signals and brake lights work but the running lights don't. So I checked the voltage at the harness side of the connecter, 13.9V when the vehicle lights are on. Then I checked at the tail light, no volts. Then I cut the brown wire (running lights) about six inches after it comes out of the connector on the trailer side, turned the lights on the vehicle to on and checked the voltage from brown to trailer ground - 13.9 volts. I rejoined my cut wire and still no running lights. Now here's where I'm confused - when I pull that wire apart again I get 0 volts (where I previously had 13.9) until I turn the lights off an on again, then I get 13.9V until I touch the two ends together, then I have to reset it all over again. At no time do the running lights work on the trailer....... Since the turn signals and brake lights work obviously my green and yellow wires are ok, does this also mean everything is grounded properly or could there be some thing from brown to ground that I am missing ? Is this some sort of short that is tripping something in the Outback Curt harness that resets when I turn the lights off and on again ? If so, how do I find it.....or do I just bite the bullet and buy a new light set and be done with it ;-)

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

This may be a poor connection on the vehicle side. Even though the volts are there, the voltage gets pulled down to zero when a load is applied. Basically a poor connection may not be able to carry the amps required when a load is applied and this causes the volts drop to zero. Double check for a good clean connection where you installed the plug to the car. Let me know what you find, KPO.

[@kindredspirittv8598]

Hi there hey I have a 10 foot enclosed trailer which I lost my ground mashing wire and I bought another one but I don’t know where to put it back on the trailer

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Pretty much anywhere that gives the entire trailer continuity to that ground wire.

[@XBloodSmoothieX]

Hello, my lights work until I couple the trailer to my hitch. I re-did all the grounds including the ground to the frame of the truck. Installed a new full length harness as well. I am at a loss, if you could help it would be greatly appreciated. Both fixtures are grounded via the stud with clean metal and ring terminals.

[@XBloodSmoothieX]

The main ground is behind the coupler directly to the main frame. I even tried adding a jumper wire from the coupler to the main frame.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Is it possible the wiring is getting bent or flexed a certain way as you couple the trailer up that exposes a loose or broken wire? Because if all your grounds are good and attached to trailer frame, coupling the trailer to the vehicle shouldn't change anything electrically.

[@XBloodSmoothieX]

I got it figured out today, but thank you for your help. I was losing continuity between the tongue and where the trailer makes a "Y" (bolted connection). Added a jumper wire between the 2 parts of the frame and good to go!

[@ODLid1]

If there is a concern can you just run the white wire from front to back and ground it sporadically back to the trailer?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes you can run a white wire to each fixture.

[@JohnGoingAndDoingThings]

Thank you - I successfully fixed my utility trailer wiring issue due to bad ground.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You are welcome! Thanks for letting me know that!

[@CarlosGonzalez-vu1ew]

Well done. You should do voice-overs. Ty

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

I know, I have done some in other videos, KPO.

[@mztdaddy]

I got one for you and I really desperate to get an answer. My driver side trailer light work when it is NOT mounted to the trailer. But as soon as I mount it the light stops working. It seem as soon as I touch the mounting screws to the trailer it stops working.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

I wonder if the fixture is messed up or you may actually have another fixture messed up. Maybe not properly grounded. Are your lights dim? It seems like your trailer may have voltage on it and when you touch the fixture to trailer, the trailer maybe at the same voltage as the circuits so there is no path back. Does the non working fixture have a white wire? I would double check all fixture grounds and maybe even get new fixtures. Let me know how it goes.

[@leroyjenkins1380]

Do you think it would be a problem if my coupler is welded on to the trailer frame.?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

No, that should give you the best connection.

[@leroyjenkins1380]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors okay thank you! I think my problem is the ground where it connects there. Just need to scrape it off and clean it up. Thanks again

[@TomFrank-s8m]

ween i plug in my truck . but on turn signal .. ALL the light's on the camper blek

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You have a poorly ground fixture or two. Make sure all the fixtures are grounded properly.

[@edbard3766]

I have a quick question. Just got a new 6x10 Carmate trailer with LED lights. When I hook up my flat four from my car all LED's come on very faintly. The car is off, key out of the ignition. What could that be? Thanks in advance.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

That one is new to me. Do you have any issues with the car battery going dead if it sits for a while? Seems like maybe you have a slow, partial short on the car's electrical system and that small voltage might be back feeding through the trailer lights. Hook the trailer up and disconnect the battery on the car and see for sure that the trailer lights go out. They should go out. At least that will tell you that voltage from the car battery is getting to the trailer lights when it shouldn't. As far as fixing it, that could be tricky. Maybe start with trailer and battery hooked up, faint lights on condition with the trailer and just start wiggling wires. If you find a section of wiring that makes the faint lights go out you may find your problem. Let me know what you find.

[@edbard3766]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Will check now. I have the Curt 56166 wiring harness in my 2015 Rav 4. I disconnected the harness from the car and the 4 pole is still hot. I assume the wire to the battery is providing the power. When I remove the inline fuse all power is cut. Curt discontinued the 56166 for some reason. $50 bucks for a new harness at E-trailer. Hope that will fix my problem. Again for the help.

[@BJPr12]

As far as ground issues go, is it ok if my brackets that hold the tail lights are painted? The brackets were rusted from the previous owner so I cleaned them with a wire wheel and painted them.. I mounted the tail light ground connector to the bolt of the tai light, but yeah the brackets are painted so I was wondering if that could create grounding issues.. should I remove the brackets and scrape the paint at the contact point with the trailer?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes, that could cause an issue. The paint is fine but you have to make sure everything has electrical continuity through it. If the brackets are bolted on, sometimes adding a good stiff lock washer will cut through the paint or remove the brackets, scrape the mounting area down to good metal and reattach. Then maybe paint over. Or you could even add a jumper wire like I did for the tilt area of the trailer in this video. Main thing - electrical continuity from back to front, KPO.

[@BJPr12]

Knetters Practical Outdoors Ok, I’ll try it. Thank you

[@BJPr12]

Knetters Practical Outdoors Well.. I bought an led tester and the car to trailer conector is working perfectly. I did however noticed there is a connectivity issue once the car and trailer are connected together because the tail lights receive electricity only when I move/wiggle the car-trailer connectors. So yes, the tail lights do turn on.. but now it’s the mid trailer side markers that don’t (they were before when I originally bought the trailer, this is what has me frustrated).. I’ll keep at it, I’ll eventually find the solution. Really appreciate your help/videos! 👍🏻

[@BJPr12]

Knetters Practical Outdoors Ok, I got it! It was all in the car to trailer connection. Everything else was working fine. I cleaned the trailer male harness connectors with sand paper and expanded them a little bit, it took care of the problem, everything is working now. Thanks again 👍🏻

[@cra2cra226]

Thanks for the video. What do you do when there is no white wire on the trailer bolted to the tongue? I have a utility trailer whose lights worked in the past but aren't coming on at all (blinkers or brakes) now. I tested the output of the vehicle harness and it's working. I replaced the old, beat up fixtures with new LEDs that have the white wire ring connector. But still no light. So my problem is that there is no white wire at the trailer's harness bolted to the tongue or anything. The wiring harness disappears into the tongue tube and reappears at the back of the trailer, with two wires - brown and green/yellow going out to each light fixture. So if there is no white wire bolted to the tongue how does the continuity get from the bolts on the fixture back into the harness?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If there was never a white wire on the trailer plug to the frame of the trailer, the trailer may have been grounded through the hitch to the car frame. But over time the continuity of your hitch might have diminished. Maybe this is why it used to work. Try this trick, take a wire and touch it to the frame of the trailer with one end and then the car frame with the other. If you get good continuity between the two your lights might start working. I did another video addressing this issue, LINK - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpK4m2qQfteqd80 If this helps you may want to add a plug that has the white wire on the trailer side. Let me know how it turns out, KPO.

[@zennfrenz8059]

Thank you for your trailer wiring descriptions.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

No problem 👍

[@nosonf0204]

Parts 2 & 3 are a definite must see.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Thank you for that comment, KPO.

[@scottf9044]

Triton aluminum trailer. Ground comes from the truck thru 4-prong trailer connector and then runs to all 11 lights. It is not connected to the trailer at all. I know I have a ground issue. Triton says a bad ground at any light won’t affect the whole trailer. Truck lighting works fine with other trailers. Where would the ground problem be on this trailer? Been chasing this for years. Every time I go to debug it works fine.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You may have an issue with the wiring somewhere inside the channels of the trailer. If you have been trying to find the problem for years, I would rewire the trailer. I wouldn't be surprised if you find a broken or loose wire/connection in the process, KPO.

[@Jack-Surreal_Panes]

I lost the vehicle ground pin. Have the part but a bigger to replace where located. Still have good continuity thru ball and chain. Where I find those weird glitches is at the bolts that hold the lights on. I added a wire that goes thru the frame, white. Connects up front and to the bolt and nut on the light mount. Sometimes when loading you can easily hit the light with your leg or something and that can loosen the light a bit, or even enlarge the hole of the plastic box. By adding a toothed washer inside and toothed wire tip to the white wire I added. I can kick that sucker and it stays working. Also I use a grounding strap vs the white wire. The wire is secured to the strap but the strap is more robust and can withstand the bending, weathering, stepping on it, etc ..I see many trailers where the white wire is barely holding on with a few strands left. Sure overkill but it works.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Those are great ideas

[@damonbranch1580]

All lights work except the running light on the driver side and marker light on driver side. Cleaned very good for ground. Can you give any advice for me.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If the fixture is grounded good, look for broken wires, KPO.

[@marktaylor136]

Mike, on a painted aluminum utility trailer should I run a white wire for each tail light or will a painted aluminum be a conductor for ground?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Aluminum is a great conductor. Wire is made from aluminum sometimes when lighter weights are needed. You can run a white wire to each fixture, but if you get through the paint, grounding at the fixture shouldn't be an issue, KPO.

[@jrobber999]

Thanks for the video! Do you happen to know if its normal to get an electirical shock (from the trailer frame) when changing the tire. It was only happening when the lights were plugged in, and I touched the trailer frame with the tire iron.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

No, shouldn't happen. Could it have been static? Unless you are really wet you shouldn't even feel 12 volts, KPO.

[@Blacklistedrook]

I just boat a used boat and only 2 of the 7 or 9 led lights light up and are not bright. I tried continuity check and can't seem to get anything from lights to trailer or tongue to rest of trailer. Guess I'll have to dig more in the am. I get 12v at the plug in port and only 1.2v at my lights.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Hook 12 volts directly to the fixture. ( see LINK - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3-sZpWQoNR4jNk) Maybe some of the LEDs are bad? Let me know what you find, KPO.

[@kabukiarmadillo]

I've identified the circuit lines to my RV trailer lights as well as an internal white ground wire that clearly from the lights back the length of the trailer to the ground of my 7-pin connector up front. i.e. my 12 V lights don't appear to use the trailer as the ground. Does this sound right? The problem: The left signal works fine but when I use the right signal, BOTH signal lights come on. Observations: i. I've confirmed with a tester that the power coming from the towing vehicle is fine. ii. I replaced the male end from the trailer that plugs into the 7-pin connector from the tow vehicle. I've re-wired it twice. iii. I've also replaced the right signal on the trailer with a brand new fixture so that seems to eliminate that as a problem. Aside from the 7-pin male plug up front which I've addressed, I can't find any common points between the two circuits so I'm stumped at this point.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Whenever another light comes on that isn't supposed to, it is almost always a grounding issue. Your right fixture doesn't have a good path to ground and is back feeding thru another fixture. That's why they both come on. I would double check the right fixture for a good ground. KPO

[@kabukiarmadillo]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Think I figured it out. I used a 12V battery and some alligator clips to work my way through every segment of the circuit starting at the tail lights. Thankfully, all the wiring on my trailer is easily accessible. All checked out fine til I hit the 7-pin connector up front. Disassembled it, put it back together... problem solved. In a 7-pin the right turn light pin is adjacent to the pin for the running lights. I think a strand or two of copper wire from the right tail light might have come out and touched the running light pin. Whenever I turned on the right signal, it was energizing both circuits. If I had noticed the running lights blinking I probably would have figured it out, but because they are around the side of the trailer, I missed that important detail. Water and electrical issues account for something like 90 percent of RV trailer problems. Your videos have been very helpful.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

@@kabukiarmadillo Glad to help. Thanks for the comment, KPO.

[@Paulgotitall]

Hey, I can't figure it out. Mines don't have the white wire coming from the lights. Checked everything over like you sound and even ran another ground wire to the back of the trailer. Now the brake lights and turn signal works but when I turn the headlights on the lights goes deam?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

I think you're on the right path. If your fixtures have a white wire, make sure it is grounded good. If your fixtures don't have a white wire, make sure the studs are grounded good (the studs are your ground on this type fixture). Also make sure the trailer is grounded to the vehicle too. In my experience whenever you turn on a light and others go dim it's a grounding problem.

[@Paulgotitall]

Thanks for the information and quick response. I got them working!!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

@@Paulgotitall great to hear that, KPO.

[@Ash-cy7yw]

Thanks for this very informative and well explained video. Really helpful for me and much appreciated.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Welcome

[@MarkAvery-uy7pg]

Can you simply run a wire (white)from the light to the front plug?

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Yes and that will help. I touched on that a little in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2KXnJtoeb6XhdE

[@MarkAvery-uy7pg]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors I ran the grounds and the trailer lights are working great!!!! Thank you

[@nabielsuleiman7039]

Simple but good point to check grounds major problems with trailers,!!!!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

It seems like grounds account for half the problems. Thanks for the comment, KPO.

[@RobausYTTV]

They make rear light bars for trucks that display turn signals, brake lights, and running lights. But they just ground using the plug ground itself. Why can trailer lights use the same and just have a solid white wite running along side the wires back to each light.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You can do that

[@jasonking8671]

I think I'm having this issue with mine. The side marker lights up front are fine, it's only the taillights. When the trailer is parked on level ground If I push down on the rear of it squatting the suspension slightly the taillights come on. It's a folding trailer. I think I'm loosing ground through the frame somewhere.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Add a jumper across the hinge point and see if it helps!

[@doughenning1271]

Helped me fix my trailer light issue. Thanks!!

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

You are very welcome, KPO.

[@abrahamramos926]

I need help with mine, all of them work expect one !! ( Driver side ) I changed the LED Bulb already but it didn’t need a new one. I don’t know can you help me ? Thanks

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

If the entire drivers side doesn't work it could be many, many things. Try a tester on the vehicle plug (link - kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6LVoYCZn6yciq8) to make sure the vehicle is working. Otherwise try this playlist as there is no simple answer LINK - kzbin.info/aero/PLksX0m4wrQHxmTQj8rk3Sazefa3uITFe4

[@abrahamramos926]

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Thanks Pal 👍🏽