Why Are My Trailer Lights NOT Working??

[@TBill2]

Thanks. Good concise and factual and trustworthy advice and appreciate experienced tradesman sharing.

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Thanks for the comment! It means a lot. Thank you for watching!

[@wyldbill100]

Boat trailer "Break-Away" tongue area is also prone to ground problems, wire pinch, and wire rubbing. Splitting a piece of fuel tubing and then zip locking it around the wire bundle will save some frustration. (Just my two cents)

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Thanks for commenting!

[@dannyc1657]

You won’t find one scotch lock in our connector assortment drawers in our shop as they get thrown away!! I would also warn people that when using shrink seal connectors that you need to use the proper crimp tool as to not pierce the shrink material or the connection is then compromised even after melting the shrink

[@Fishboy68]

Hello,i have a ranger trailer with the road armor coating.How does the trailer ground from the factory even work? The ringed connectors are making contact with the road armor coating.Is the drilled hole enough to make contact for a ground.?

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Hi there! Great question! The ground works off the truck chassis ground through the plug. On the ground wire on the trailer needs to be connect to the trailer frame somewhere near the coupler if you're using ground to frame style lights. The only other option is to run a ground from the trailer plug to each individual light. The direct ground terminals from the light will work as long as the trailer frame is clean metal.

[@Fishboy68]

@@TheTrailerSmith thank you, i had trouble with side marker lights only not working when i would turn on my headlights.I figured it was a ground issue.It would blow a fuse .i uped the amp on the fuse a little and now works.I also thought with the break away tongue I was losing ground ,so i grounded aft the breakaway also.Everything seems to be ok now.I never had a issue for 5 years thank you for the reply.

[@nightknightlegion1273]

Took my boat out, my running lights for my boat were working a quarter of the way home, than suddenly just stopped working. The brake and turn lights still work, just not the running lights. Is it possible for the running lights to be shorted from the truck without the others? I have a 2018 Tundra.

[@wyldbill100]

I have had the same situation. I highly suspect that a ground wire (s) is the culprit. IF both side of your trailer running lights aren't working and the rest are (as you've mentioned), CHECK: a.) Tow Vehicle (abbr: T.V.) plug continuity for your running lights (usually the BROWN wire) and IF there is no power there then check your T.V. fuses, headlight switch, or continuity of that wire. b.) CHECK your wiring for breaks and/or rubbing at the break-away tongue (IF equipped), c.) Individually check and confirm that each running light has power and is properly grounded...including your license plate light. Getting SAFELY under your trailer to do a cursory VISUAL INSPECTION of your lights and wiring will often times provide you with a direct course of action; i.e., spotting a broken wire. I personally cleaned up my 5-pin pigtail and then used dielectric grease, reconnected; works good, now. GOOD LUCK!

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Hi! Thanks for watching! Good question I recommend starting with checking the plug on your truck to make sure you don't have a blown fuse for the running lights. If you have a blown fuse, there's a good chance you do have a short on the trailer. It's also possible that the fuse can be blown by backing the trailer into the water with the running lights on. This usually happens if water is penetrating one of the sealed lights. If all that checks out, definitely trace the wiring on the trailer for pinched wire or deteriorated wiring insulation.

[@6gatornation]

Just want to say thanks for making these videos I just restored my 1999 international box frame trailer Been using your videos to make sure I’m doing everything like a pro I think your channel will do good Most of the other trailer videos out there doesn’t have the best info Have you tried the solder seal connectors I got some knock off of Amazon They seem to work better on the smaller wire With the bigger wire the solder didn’t want to melt Probably going to try the original solder seal connectors next time

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Thanks for watching! I'm so glad the videos have been a help to you! Kudos on that trailer restoration!