Trailer Light Tricks!

[@mikeprince5459]

Had problems with trailer lights my whole life. Running a separate ground to each light was my biggest savior. Great video brother, great information! #Lights

[@twanger1994]

It's amazing how simply trailer #lights can be repaired or replaced. A little bit of safeguarding goes a very long way. It's also great practice for any of the many wiring projects found on our vessels. Great video in a great series. Thank you.

[@markgippy]

Working on rvs, I do a lot of repairs on #lights and I made a test box with a 4 way remote, lawn mower battery, turn signal flashers and an amo box. Has a range of about 200ft and I can walk all the way around and turn on or off any light function I need too. I even used the 4th function to work the electric brakes. Best tool I have ever made

[@erikrounds5847]

Just finished wiring up the #lights on my trailer last week and I wound up running an extra ground wire back up through the front of the trailer so the frame wasn’t the only ground. I also heat shrunk all of the connections so the possibility of corrosion is reduced. Thank you for these videos! Great content

[@rustyredram7197]

I just replaced the forward running lights up by the tongue on my trailer with new sealed LED lights. I bench tested them first to make sure they worked, but when I hooked them up only one would turn on. My trailer is boxed so it was not immediately apparent what the issue was. After a little digging I found an old fold crimp style splice, the kind that just cuts into the wire insulation, put there at some point by the previous owner / owners (I am the 3rd owner). bad bad bad. Once I cut that out and put the heat shrink butt connector on it worked like a charm. I also like to use a little liquid electrical tape on the point where I have 2 wires coming into one side of a connector like you have at 5:32 just for extra water resistance. After finding that crap splice though, I am tempted to just do a complete rewire. If something else goes wrong I may just suck it up and do it. Thanks for the videos, happy boating.

[@chandlergreetham2988]

Just wanted to say you guys are awesome! your videos are so helpful for all the DIY boat projects and hello from Fort Lauderdale FL!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@FloridaGuy727]

It was like you were reading my mind. This weekend I was looking at the trailer and making a list of things I need to do to it since the boat is off of it. #lights are on my list.

[@Michael-nx7im]

I HAVE FIX AND INSTALL A BUNCH OF LIGHTS AND YES GROUND WIRE IS MOST. YOUR VIDEO RIGHT ON.

[@FerreraGlen]

My trailer #lights suck and would love some new ones. Thanks for your videos. I look forward to them every Tuesday.

[@matthewtweedie64]

#Lights Good tip on the heat shrink connectors. That is all I use on my trailers. The blue plastic splices for the clearance lights always fail. Keep the great content coming. Happy and blessed Easter!

[@commoncents456]

Great job. May i mention star washers. Helps with grounding

[@homarkbeer]

#lights loved the video very informative and straight forward thank you for pointing the colors of wires and what job for each one on the trailer I’ll change my trailer lights as soon as the rain stops and we will be allowed in the water again. I miss my boat and can’t wait to go out again.

[@beaulster]

Great idea on the guides and the heat shrink. Thought about maybe bringing the lights up high onto guides. You have recommended heat gun like you have on this vid? Thanks!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Putting the lights on the guide posts is a great idea! I have two torches, one snap on and then I have this power probe torch here as well: amzn.to/2Kqoz6Z

[@beaulster]

Nice! They have the kit with all accessories for $20 more. So $63.00. Thanks for the link.

[@phillipchristensen3202]

Spend a little extra and get tinned wire too. I go as far as to use heat shrink tubing over the heat shrink connectors lol. Two boats, a camper, and a flatbed so I'm tired of messing with lights!

[@TheVikesfreak2]

Great video. New to boat ownership and this was very helpful!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Great to hear!

[@killerture]

#Lights had my light go out on me on my way home from the ramp luckily was not far from home when they went sure enough it was a broken ground wire. Thank you for all the helpful videos keep up the great work I look forward to Tuesdays every week.

[@steveb.2326]

It worked!!! Hooray. Thanks for the tip.

[@CB-ck6ze]

Best thing I ever did was upgrade from a flat 5 pin to a 7 way with a junction box. Mount the box, and each individual light gets an individual run of 16ga EXTENSION cord. 16/3 for the brake lights, 16/2 for all others. Extension cord is double insulated, and with heat shrink adhesive lines butt connectors and tubing, you can make it very water proof. All grounds are run back up to the junction box, eliminating corrosion issues. Of course waterproof LED lights are needed. If you do have an issue, instead of troubleshooting an entire wiring harness and multiple grounds, you have one light with one length of wire to test and replace. Going on two years of only saltwater use and not a single trailer light issue. #Lights

[@lmy969]

Awesome video as usual! We are replacing our trailer lights right now, great timing! And lucky us to have someone like you here on KZbin #Lights

[@hankschrader149]

Perfect timing for this Aaron about to rewire my boat trailer ain't got nothing but time right now!

[@Mr-ts8il]

Can you seal the plastic covering the lights?

[@Paladinlax]

Another great video about #lights! You make everything so simple and easy to understand! Thanks a ton!

[@donjosselyn9627]

Thanks for the update on trailer lights I really like the grounding part #lights

[@ericpearle4971]

Ive wired a few but didn't know some of those #Lights tips, THANKS!

[@jlahood1]

You made it look easy to do. Good video. #Lights

[@bradcranford2264]

#lights. I just recently replaced my trailer lights and wiring as well. I also installed new guideposts and put my lights on the top of the guideposts. No more water getting in the lights 👍

[@cccolorado30]

Love your videos. Trailer lights are always a pain. #lights

[@stevecorriveau6136]

#lights. Perfect time for updating Boat trailer lights. Thanks

[@chucktripp5722]

#lights great job , I drill a 1/4 hole in the trailer frame and run a doubled back zip tie to hold the frame wires , use a black one , the head keeps it from pulling through. Also I use liquid tape on the grounds and never have any trouble there..

[@bms2550]

I’m on my 2nd LUND since 2013 and I’ve never had a problem with trailer lights…🍀

[@hayscib03]

#Lights. Currently, I use a temporary system. A meter long PVC panel with lights at each end and the number plate in the middle. I hang it at the back of the boat and the cable connection to the car. So if I win ill change this basic system haha. awsome video.

[@Handyman247llc]

You are correct the ground connection is the biggest culprit in light failure. In Wisconsin the salt makes things even worse. I have been using more heat shrink connectors than in past years. I have a new problem, Vandals have been cutting my trailer light wires. about 2 months ago I just rewired my trails to add strobe lights to the rear when I am stopped on a busy street doing a service call. worked excellent. About 3 weeks ago Vandals cut the light wires and the 5 pin plug completely off. I just rewired the trailer again, but now I am looking for a way to better protect the wiring. Any suggestions? Trailer is a simple 4 x 9' single axle, mesh wire bottom and rear drop gate, wood side panels. all lights on service van and trailer are LED's #lights

[@BornAgainBoating]

Well, on that one I really don't know :/ If someone is willing to take the time out of their life to physically go to your trailer and start cutting wires and plugs off, I'm not really sure how you prevent that lol :( That's a sad situation there! Sorry man!

[@commoncents456]

Flexible metal conduit?? It's sometimes used in electrical wiring. Just a thought. Good luck

[@chrisnewhall5107]

I need to replace the #lights on my boat trailer, so this video is much appreciated!! Keep up the good work on vids!

[@FlyMeAirplane]

I've heard they sell wire that is Tin-Lead plated. This makes it easy to solder and should stop the copper from getting eaten up if any salt water gets past the heat shrink. I also found that the cheap harbor freight LED's that are not water rated work great after being clear epoxy coated. Take the lens off and fill er up with epoxy! Cut a drain hole in the bottom to let the water out. I tried sealing the lens on once and that was a dismal failure!

[@chadauthement7507]

Another great video #lights. Please consider doing a video on parasitic draw on the motor/ accessory battery and how to detect it with a multimeter. Thank you

[@BornAgainBoating]

Here's some info that could help, but it's in article form :) www.bornagainboating.com/battery-keeps-dying/

[@jasonpindell5940]

#Lights ... great job. You made an easy job easier. Thanks

[@BornAgainBoating]

My pleasure!

[@donjosselyn9627]

great trailer lights video

[@ozz7570]

Great video. Really simplifies light issues. #Lights

[@georgejordaan1951]

In South Africa we often use a removable tailboard which attaches to the outboards or rollbar of the boat when trailering. Solves the majority of issues with water ingress and corrosion. Dedicated 7 wire cable with a trailer plug routed along the trailer lenght. No issues! #Lights

[@TheNicko773]

Very solid instructions on this topic, with good tips on the ground issues. Thanks for sharing.! #lights

[@andrewfyakim525]

Thank you once again; an abundance of useful information in only seven minutes! #lights

[@frankiedoor515]

Question for you the lights on the side of my trailer are they just running lights or do they have to blink? Also, thanks for the video.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Nope, they should just be running lights :) You can make them blink if you wanted to :)

[@TheDoug9901]

I started using sealed lights like what the big trucks use best choice ever

[@stuarthennessy8551]

#lights are almost always an issue! I can't remember how many times I had a dickey blinker due to poor ground connections, on it now though.

[@davidtraurig8384]

lights: can sure be a pain sometimes. However i have found that using heat shrink definitely prolongs the wiring connections. As for the lights themselves boaters will always be replacing them.

[@roosterdelmar9172]

Great channel and all the tips you say I use them when I need to work on my boat, trust me I had saved a lot of money. Currently I need 8 small lights, 4 amber and 4 red for which I am leaving the not #LIGHTS for compete for a new set of lights.

[@randyosburn533]

Would somebody please make a more durable trailer light set. Something that can work reliably 5 to 8 years. Maybe, led lights inside stainless casing? Working on trailer lights every year gets old.

[@geo4reels481]

Any videos of boat spotlights installations?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Not yet, thats a pretty niche install!

[@philip956]

Trailer lights are beautiful when running right! #lights.

[@ekimzaga]

Can you ground trailer light post lights to ground wire for running lights? Install videos always shows drilling into trailer for ground

[@santysardinas3909]

#Lights waiting for this video for a while jaj thank you guys for another helpful episode 👍

[@timothymckeown8118]

Great tips Aaron,thanks!#LIGHTS

[@TheRoadGlideRider]

I love the led light. So much better than the old bulbs. #lights

[@chadclm]

#lights man I love this channel! That bolt holding the safety chains to the trailer is that enough? I have runners above my fenders for guides and I've gone over them a time or 2 at a unfamiliar ramp.I want to make this simple swap to PVC

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you! Yea, the bolt and chain is just to catch the tongue and keep the trailer attached to the vehicle in the event the tongue comes disconnected :) I've had it happen to me once ;) lol

[@seoulbrooks]

Good video...always working on lights. # Lights

[@davidwilliamson2181]

#Lights Seems every year or so I replace trailer lights due to cheap lights or just dunking in the water with the lights plugged in, now I just unplug before dunking the trailer and plug back in when getting underway. This year I’m trying post lights on top of my guide post!👍🏻

[@offgridwhitetails8768]

#Lights Awesome explanation as always. Huge help in ALL of your videos. Very informational ! Thanks for taken the time and sharing y’all’s,knowledge.

[@seahawk2545]

#Lights. Thank you great information

[@boatman365-v7w]

Good video, I always check the lights at the beginning of each season, usually one not working do to bad ground. #lights

[@BornAgainBoating]

Hey Tom! Congratulations, you're last week's winner! Sorry for the delayed picking, shoot me an email to [e-mail] with your shipping info and we'll get you some #lights!

[@vxnova1]

#lights. You make this look easy,

[@davidd8435]

#lights I heard of a tip to save the lights is to unplug the connector before you launch your boat and submerge the lights.

[@69holford]

Trailer lights are the Bain of boatings existence!! LOL #lights

[@Gmtail]

I got soooo sick of fixing my trailer lights on my boat and JetSki trailer.. One would think that going LED would be better but it's almost worse because they are super cheaply made, use cheap components and are current limited via low tolerance resistors and not a true voltage/current regulator .... So I ended up making my own, machined and 3D printed my own housings then used quality LEDs with true regulators. Everything is also sealed properly and I haven't had a single problem since.

[@davidt1972]

Love this channel! #lights

[@1BillT]

I recently installed LED lights on my trailer. I hope they last longer than the older incandescent style.

[@johnsautter9729]

#lights End up redoing mine every few years. just easier than replacing piece by piece. Thanks for the great videos.

[@Mike70359]

As always great informative video. Thank you. #lights

[@OfficerDave78]

#lights my first new trailer had one season it worked perfect then after the the lights were intermittent. They are nice when they work 😁 my new trailer when I finally get it when this lockdown is lifted will be a lot bigger and have more lights

[@chiphill4856]

Bypass the frame ground and run a dedicated ground to each light. An outdoor extension cord works way better than the crappy white/brown/yellow/green flat wires. Use lots of heat shrink. This will last years longer than a standard frame ground. Never use regular electricians tape, it's not waterproof. Use loom.

[@tomrolando6115]

Every spring when I hook up the trailer and check the #Lights I have to say a little prayer in hopes they work.

[@johnslonsky3956]

#lights Appreciate all the great info you share with us DIYers!

[@AsimakisKoutsogiannis]

#lights is a must on a treiler!!

[@howechilds5060]

May as well re-do the lights since I learned last week that based on my boat’s length and weight I need to add brakes! #Lights

[@BornAgainBoating]

Lol ;)

[@stevebyrnes3960]

#lights definitely run a separate ground to lights and eliminate most problems

[@jorgecruz9344]

#lights. I hate trailer lights that submerge. I mounted them on the guide poles and have never had a problem with them ever since.

[@blackdog1234567890]

#lights- a given necessity for boat trailers; it is key to communicate your movements while on the road and increases your visibility to other drivers during times of low visibility .

[@henrytischbein155]

Stay safe I don’t want you sacrificing your health for content but thank you for the content

[@captainscottlum2371]

I just buy the lights separately then buy a quality outdoor extension cord, it has 3 wires in it, positive negative and ground wire. I buy one that is long enough so I can cut it in half to do both sides of the trailer. I don't use side marker lights because over time that ends up being a possible corrosion point. I run the wires up my guide posts so the lights are never in the water. I also don't use the trailer as the ground, I use the ground wire that comes inside the extension cord, then splice them together when they come together at the male/trailer plug so you never loose ground. my trailer lights last a long time due to the extra coating on the extension cord and the lights never getting submerged. It also ends up being less expensive and you get a little better quality wire. Well that's my two cents!

[@netltube]

^ this man has been pinned down in the trailer light offensive and lived to wire lights another day! Damn, good tips here. Puttin 'em up high is the way to go, but the extension cord trick is next level. "my man!"

[@captainscottlum2371]

@@netltube thanks, I wish I could take credit for these tips but I got them from another captain. Tight lines! ;)

[@CB-ck6ze]

Capt. Scott, I put a comment as well telling how I use the extension cord. If you have a 7 way plug on your tow vehicle, going to a 7 way plug and junction box is the way to to do it. Single runs of extension cord to each light, using 16/2 cords for all running lights and the 16/3 for brake lights. All wires to include grounds end up back at the junction box and you have a bullet proof setup when paired with quality LED submersible lights.

[@DawidNiespodzianski]

#lights as always well explained... Soon my boat will arrive and will require some work and that's gonna be one of them

[@DJSbm-28]

#Lights They are easy but they are also such a pain when not working right. Word of caution, remember to unplug your lights after uncoupling your boat. Forgot once, had to do some rewiring to fix that. Felt like a dummy because I was talking to the neighbor and not paying attention. There is another helpful information that is not mentioned much. Unplug your lights before putting your boat in the water, just remember to plug them back in after you load your boat back on the trailer. I tie a small piece of red rope to it and let it hang to remind me. Thanks Arron

[@workingdiligently8458]

#lights - i put mine on a bar so i don't submerge them - but somehow the sun makes the wires brittle - and then i'm chasing breaks in the wire - ugh face.

[@andrewjohnson6146]

#lights I find trailer lights so annoying but I have a lift for my boat and find it easier. Good video

[@benjigans1419]

#lights are always one of the biggest troublemakers. If you follow Born Again Boating's tips about #Lights , you'll be sure to have no issues!

[@johnbutler4542]

#Lights great video!!

[@johnbutler4542]

Does this mean I win?

[@Fireship1]

Every trailer I end up with has a lighting issue. I usually will rewire the whole thing and pull all new lighting on it. It’s the easiest way to deal with lighting issues. #lights

[@thedailydeary7787]

Great job! Thanks for the video. #lights

[@staytight6340]

Your the man Were you born into this lifestyle Just guessing, so cool!!!

[@euniceperez4510]

Great vid man, now make a vid on how to keep my dog from eating all that new yummy wire.😂😬

[@david_lbz1286]

Sometimes a dab of silicone in the ends of the heat shrink will give some extra help sealing. #lights

[@townsville69]

#lights I thought this was going to be a heavy subject but it was actually pretty light. Shutdown trailer tinkering.

[@kevinlafleur7044]

I've spent more time fixing lights than I'd ever care to admit. Seems like they go bad even if you don't use the trailer!

[@mattcharles8103]

why o why cant they make a submersible trailer light that will last more than a couple years? seems like i change out trailer lights every other year which is a PITA on 3 trailers! #lights

[@wukain6697]

#lights i had a trip planned in early March to spend the weekend in key largo I wake up at 2 am get the family in the truck and boom trailer lights not coming on 🤦🏾‍♂️I spend the next hour in Walmart parking lot changing both back lights

[@av-mike]

#lights Great video. So tired of seeing trailers driving around with no lights. I don't think people check them very often...

[@bendean1828]

When I first bought my boat looked at the trailer and all the lights worked and of course after I buy it and take it home the lights stop working #lights

[@cslider]

#lights Good video

[@edmullins4519]

Me and lights don’t get along! As anal as I am about cleaning the trailer after use it seems every single time I get ready to tow, one of the darn lights is out! I’ve got issues with the big boat trailer now! Gonna see if they’re fixable tomorrow, if not, they’re all getting replaced! #lights

[@michkg2000]

First thing I redo on the trailers are lights. The worst I found it’s using extension cord for running wires. #lights

[@voodoo2882]

#lights #Lights my lights always go out.....thx will be going to led this year

[@bottomknockinbaja6092]

Added guide posts last year, dont know why i waited so long..😎 #Lights