Trailer light problem... where to start?

[Dante04SRT]

Our 'new' boat trailer has a small problem with the lights. The right tail/blinker doesn't work even though the tail light illuminates when the truck lights are on. Does this sound like a bad bulb?

I'm just looking for where to start.

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

Swap the bulb from the other side
That will eliminate the bulb, if that's the problem

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

Take a quick look at the socket contacts for corrosion if you do switch sides with a bulb (we always carry spare 1157, 2057, 2157 & 194 bulbs for both trailer and tow vehicle) and add some fresh dielectric (sp) grease to the socket for protection. This grease (despite its name) will help keep moisture away from the contacts.

I also use this product for the FRONT side of the tow vehicle trailer plug (where the wires go rearwards to the terminal pins. Keeps the voltage from walking to another terminal when moisture gets in there.

Mike.

On edit, I also kept a flash light and a spare bow, stern and head light bulbs in the boat.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

man i went through same thing finaly got the *** and put new leds
with new wire on truck and trailer ,best money ive spent

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

agree on the led lights. Just need to get them for my other two trailers.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

Good info mizfits..that grease has beren around for a long time. It used to be a fix for connecting copper wiring to aluminum and for a world of other uses. My newer rig has light problems, cracked housing, etc. so looking to do the LED replacement all around.

One of our guys has been posting about eliminating the trailer side lights and liquid taping the connection as it is an area that will create a problem. And do you really need side trailer lights, now that most all vehicles use side lights? I will probably do that as well.

 

[Jim Krawiec]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

I own 5 trailers of verious sizes for different jobs. I have over the years aquired many lights and other trailer equippment. I agree with some of the posts, carry extra bulbs for the trailer you are pulling. Befor I leave home, I turn on all of my lights and make sure that they work. Replace where necessary.
On the connection to the tow veh. many people overlook that little white wire that comes out of the trailer harness. This wire is the ground wire, I drilled and tapped a hole in the tow bar and used a ring toung term to ground it. Many people rely on the coupler to do the grounding. By doing my way the ground is directly connected to the tow veh. Some people use a lot of greese on the ball, this will also affect the grounding of the trailer.
I also beleave in the more lights the better. I also use reflecting tape.
I hope this info is usefull to some of you.
Jim

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

i have also ran an independent ground wire to all the fixtures, other than a blown blub, that solved all my problems.

 

[roger-s]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

have you checked the power output on your tow vehicle most new vehicles have independant fuses for the trailer signals l + r and seperate trailer clearance light fuses.

 

[henry2008]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

I have the same problem, and replaced both lights and put the new ones in still didn't fix the problem.
When my lights from my suv are off both lights work fine brake ok, left blinks ok, rights blinks ok.
But a soon as I turn my suv ligths on left blinks ok. right blinks but it's too weak and turns my tail lights from my suv on.
Any ideas how to fix this problem

 

[roger-s]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

sounds like a bad ground on your light if all the lights on your truck work when it is disconnected get yourself two jumper wires and a battery connect the ground to your trailer on a good clean bolt or whatever connect to plug on ground terminal then feed power to other terminals individually,checking lights as you go, grounds on trailer lights are notorious for rust have seen all kinds of crazy stuff a bulb forced into a socket backwards will also feed back then it tries to get ground through a placwhere it shoudnt ,always taking the path of least resistance.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

I have the same problem, and replaced both lights and put the new ones in still didn't fix the problem.
When my lights from my suv are off both lights work fine brake ok, left blinks ok, rights blinks ok.
But a soon as I turn my suv ligths on left blinks ok. right blinks but it's too weak and turns my tail lights from my suv on.
Any ideas how to fix this problem

Bad ground connection. Read tashadaddy post in this thread.

 

[Sailor77.7]

Re: Trailer light problem... where to start?

Jim had a good point about the little white wire. Ninety percent of all wiring problems end up being bad grounds. Check the obvious things first such as swapping the bulbs or metering them to check for continuity. You can also check to see if the socket is properly grounded. Meter between the contacts to the trailer (bare metal) for a ground. Sometimes the connection between the trailer and the veh. is not the right connector. I ran into that when I got mine. They mated together just fine but did not work right. I changed out the plug with the correct one for the veh. and WHA...La..worked. The grease is a great tool. Everyone should use it. Saves ton of work later when there is a bunch of corrosion. LED's are the only way to go really. Super bright and easy to set up. They are "NO MAINTENANCE" unless you crack the housing somehow. Side lights on the trailer are a good thing to have as well. You can never cheap out on SAFETY. Fair Winds and Following Sea's my friends...