Trailer lights?

Question

I just rebuilt a small boat trailer and put on new lights...I can only get a feeble little blink out of the left side...nothing else...it's like there isn't enough power getting to the lights....what can i do?

Answer 1

Seriously, drive around the block a couple times.   It's usually the ground.  Sometimes you have to run an extra ground from the white wire on the pigtail, to each light housing, use the bolt that attaches the light to the trailer.  But hopefully the trailer will ground through the frame.   Try it it works.

Answer 2

The white ground wire on the trailer harness needs to be wrapped around a rust-free unpainted bolt on the trailer frame and tightened down real tight.

to confirm the "bad ground" diagnosis, connect the vehicle frame to the trailer frame with a jumper cable.

Answer 3

I agree with Richard C on the ground.  I think is best if you hard wire the ground through the pigtail connector.  This will eliminate the chancey connection at the ball.  Also, should your ball connection come loose, the lights will still be on while you try to deal with just a safety chain hookup while preventing anyone from rear ending you.