You recognize that your trailer is important. After all, it helps you get your boat from point A to point B and everywhere in between. Your boat trailer MUST be in good condition to ensure everyone’s safety while you operate it on the road.
One of the main components of your boat trailer is the lights. If your trailer lights are not working properly, drivers behind you may not know that you are stopping, or they may not even see you in the dead of night. It is vital that your lights work as they work to help keep you safe along with others on the road. Not only that, it is illegal to drive without them, so you definitely don’t want to get sidelined on the way to the ramp or end up with a hefty ticket to end the day.
So, what happens when your trailer starts to experience issues with the lights and the wiring? If wiring problems do exist, you will likely find that your lights do not function when you apply the brake or turn on your signals to turn. Other times, your lights may function and then they don’t. No matter what the issue is, you need to make sure that the problem is addressed in a timely manner.
Wiring for your trailer can be quite frustrating, especially when you feel like you do not know much about it. Fortunately, many issues with the wiring are easy to fix. Below, we will discuss some of the most common types of trailer wiring problems and how you can fix them along with some tips to help you avoid common pitfalls that may occur.
Let’s get started.
Your Trailer Wires Are Important
Whether you know it or not, your trailer wires are crucial and vital to the operation of your trailer. Without them, you are a hazard on the road, and you place, not only your safety but the safety of others at risk. Driving without lights that work is very hazardous and not recommended at all.
You need to make sure your boat trailer lights work perfectly each and every time you go to take your trailer on the road.
Common Wiring Problems That Arise with Boat Trailers
When looking at your boat trailer lights, they should be bright and function flawlessly. Sometimes, they don’t and other times, they may appear dull. You could have a broken wire, burned-out bulb, loose ground wire, or even some corrosion causing the problem. These are some of the most common issues and are very easy to fix, even for someone who is not mechanically inclined.
Ground wires are usually the main culprit when it comes to any wiring issues with trailers, but it is possible that a number of different reasons could be the one plaguing your lights.
Here are some other common issues that you may face with your trailer should you have a wiring problem:
- Harness works until the trailer is connected
- No reverse lights
- Turning off the ignition leaves one or more lights still turned on
- Turning on the headlights of the tow vehicle turn off the trailer lights
- Lights worked but then stopped over some time
- Activating one turn signal causes both signals to turn on
- One function stops working (i.e. brake lights or turn signal)
- No lights work at all
Each one of the issues you experience with your boat trailer lights can be fixed by determining what the cause is. For example, if you find that only one of the functions is working with your lights, such as the brake lights but not your turn signals, it may be that there is a connection issue between the wires and your tow vehicle.
Here, you will find some of the common wiring issues that lead to the common problems that we listed above:
- Weak or loose ground connection
- Failed wiring connection
- Wires not connected
- Power wire is not linked to the tow vehicle’s battery
- Brake wire is not grounded
- Insufficient ground with the wires
- Inadequate ground on the tow vehicle or trailer side
- Improper connection with the wires to the tow vehicle or the trailer
- Failure to connect all appropriate wires
One of the most common themes you will see above is that most problems are related to an issue with the ground wire. Many of these issues only take a few steps to rectify. If you do experience issues with your trailer lights, it is best to start by checking all the ground wires first to rule this out.
As you start to look for the wiring problem, you want to make sure you have some basic tools on hand to get you started. You may not use all the tools each time you diagnose or fix a trailer wiring problem, but they are good to keep on hand because you never know when you might need them.
Some basic tools you should keep together for any trailer wiring problems include:
- Dowel
- 12V battery
- Dielectric grease
- Additional wires
- Continuity tester
- Electrical tape
- Electrical contact cleaner
- Light bulbs
- Wire stripper
- Jumper wire
- Nut driver
- Sandpaper
- Power drill
- Tow vehicle tester
- Screwdriver
- Wiring kit
- Wire fasteners
Common Boat Trailer Wiring Issues and How to Fix Them
Below, we will delve more into the most common boat trailer wiring issues and how you can fix them.
Problem: Bad Ground
As we mentioned, one of the most common issues that arise is a bad ground. Some of the ways to indicate that a ground is bad is that you will notice intermittent operation of your lights, dimness, flickering, fast-blinking, or complete failure of the lights to work.
Solution: Repairing a bad ground is the best solution to eliminate the issues you are experiencing with your trailer lights. You may find that the fix is as easy as reattaching a wire, but it may be much more involved and complicated than that. For example, as we mentioned, simply reconnecting the wire may be enough but you may need to utilize a jumper lead to create a temporary ground for the lights. This allows you to find the bad ground and then replace it with new wiring.
Problem: Burned Out Bulb
If your boat trailer has LED lights, you will find that they burn out less often, but it is still possible for them to burn out. Bulbs often wear out simply due to age and use.
Solution: Inspect the bulbs themselves to see if they are burnt out. You should look for a broken filament or use a meter to test the bulb to see if it is still functioning. If you find that the bulb is burnt out, simply replace it with a new bulb. To help prevent issues with your bulbs burning out too quickly, allow them to cool down before you place the trailer into the water to launch the boat. Also, if you have incandescent lights, consider installing new LED lights.
Problem: Bad Trailer Connector
If you twist and move the trailer connector and the lights work but the moment you stop, the lights stop working too, it is likely that there is a bad connector.
Solution: You will need to first look and verify that your connector leads are not too short, if they are, this could be causing the issue. You should add additional wiring to help eliminate this issue by giving more slack to the wires. If the leads are not too tight, there may be some corrosion messing with the connection. Use a brush to clean out the connections and try again. If the connector is simply worn and bad, replace it with a new one.
Problem: Chafed Wires
Wires will chafe and become frayed at some point, especially when subjected to harsh conditions such as being run over metal without some type of protection. Chafed wires cause an issue with the ground and cause it to short out. You will notice that your lights burn out.
Solution: You can check to see if there is a shortage in the ground by utilizing a multimeter to test for electricity. A visual inspection can tell you if your wires are chafed. You want to look for fraying or any obvious signs of damage to the wires themselves. You can fix the chafed wires with electrical tape but it is not a permanent solution. You will eventually need to run a new wire to correct a chafed wire problem.
Additional Tips to Fix Common Wiring Issues with Boat Trailers
The above problems are all pretty easy to fix and some of the most common problems you will likely run into with your trailer lights.
Before you do anything or make any repairs, you want to isolate the issue and understand it. Otherwise, you will be spending unnecessary time and money making repairs you do not need to.
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind as you look to fix common issues with your boat trailer wiring.
1. Always Test First
You should ALWAYS test first before you do anything else. If you have a four-way plug, you will want to utilize a 12V circuit tester to check the function of the lights. You should have someone assist you so that they can tell you if the lights work correctly.
You should test your tow vehicle’s connections first to rule out issues with the vehicle itself. If issues are ruled out with the tow vehicle, move on to check the trailer for wiring issues.
You want to inspect all signals, fuses, and wires that connect your trailer and your tow vehicle. Any signs of damage should be further investigated.
2. Check the Connections
Take some time now to inspect all the connections and make sure that they are done correctly. ALWAYS check to know what the color of your wires is and what they correspond with. Just because one vehicle has a white wire that connects to the brake does not mean that your white wire connects to the brake too.
Ensure that ALL wires are connected where they are supposed to be before troubleshooting any additional issues.
In addition to checking your connections, also inspect the ground connections. These areas can become dirty or corroded and will need to be cleaned if they are. If you cannot get them cleaned, you will need to have them replaced to ensure proper functioning.
Checking all the ground connections is VERY important. You should never skip this step as most light issues are linked to the ground connection.
3. Look for Overload
An overload happens when there is more electricity provided than what a circuit can handle. This often results in, at minimum overheating, and sometimes melting of the wires. It is important to look for any signs of melting and check for any overload.
If you do find overload, check to make sure your connections and wires are rated for the appropriate load. You may need to replace or swap out some of your wires.
Boat Trailer Wiring Issues Can Be Solved
It is unlikely that you will run into a situation where you are unable to fix the wiring on your boat trailer. You may find that you need to replace some wires, but just about any situation you experience can be fixed.
It is important to remember that elements are a big factor in wiring issues too. Over time, the weather can cause corrosion, which can lead to problems with the connectors and even the wires. You should periodically inspect your trailer connectors and wiring to ensure it is in good condition. Should you happen to find any corrosion, you want to make sure you clean it off and try the connection again. If the corrosion is too bad, you may need to just replace the connector or wires.
Most wiring problems and light issues can be fixed on your own and with some general maintenance, but if you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to identify or fix the issue, simply turn to an expert to help you out.
As a reminder, your trailer lights are extremely important for your trailer’s safe operation and not something that you want to forego. Always make sure your trailer lights are working properly to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road.
