How To Wire A Trailer, New Lights Also
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- čas přidán 29. 04. 2021
- How to wire a trailer for beginners. Tips and tricks they don't tell you about in the trailer light kit.
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Why is it that someone like you can explain this and it's, "Oh, ok. I see", when the majority of videos are confusing? Subscribed.
Thanks for the sub and thanks for the comment. Great to have you along.
Because he's a good teacher.
It’s all a out the wiring diagram he sketched up for us haha
Excellent instructions!
This is how all youtube videos should be. You can actually here him, understand exactly what he is saying and he is completely clear and concise. Made my understanding of how trailer wiring actually works. Excellent Job dude!!!
Thanks a lot for that comment!
I totally agree 👍!!
This is the best trailer wiring video I have found yet hands down
Thanks for that!
@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors agree
Never would've dreamed my little utility trailer would require 'front section' and 'rear section' grounding to get everything working properly....but you were right - it did! Thank you for the tip...I never would have come up with that on my own.
Glad to help and thanks for that comment.
It was exactly my problem too. Thanks for the tip!
I wish I saw this earlier. I have wasted an entire day trying to make new trailer lights work. Been to Harbor Freight and Cabela's buying and returning "faulty" lights, ripped out and replaced all of the wiring, bought a tester to verify the wiring on the truck was good, and on and on......the problem was I painted the trailer and as a result, reduced its electrical conductiveness. I did as you said and moved the ground wire to the same piece of metal that the lights were on and boom, everything works. Thank you thank you thank you! I appreciate your thorough style. Keep putting the slop low, where us hogs can get to it!
Really appreciate that comment my friend!
This was exactly the video I needed. Was having a difficult time figuring out the side marker wiring. You showed just what I was looking for. Thank you
Great to hear!
Retired electrician here. Many good points and ideas by Mr. Knetter. Nothing wrong with overkill-less time troubleshooting means more time you got a hook in the water!
That is an awesome complement from an electrician that goes by Pipebender. Sounds like you may have bent some conduit in your day. I've bent a little conduit myself. Thanks again.
I don't worry about electrical stuff anymore. Just dragging crawler harnesses on Saginaw Bay all do in the summer. Little Bay De Noc sure looks like beautiful walleye fishery.
I learned by far more about properly wiring my camper properly and troubleshooting the existing wiring than I have from all other videos combined! Thanks for this great video!
Thanks so much for that comment! I'm glad it helped.
Perfect example and explanation step by step. Thank you for making this video! My blue heeler got ahold of the wires underneath my trailer and decided it was a game to rip everything out… now I’m confident enough to tackle this job myself!
Glad to hear that! We have 2 Aussies, 2 teddy bear dogs and 1 Great Pyrenees.
That was a nice video, great explanation and informative for those with no clue how to fix their trailer lights and great for doing a small utility trailer but in my opinion, not preferable for boat trailers. I have 30+ years as a marine electronics technician and there are just a couple of things I would suggest with regards to boat trailers. First, always use marine grade wire for a boat trailer. Marine grade wire is tinned to prevent corrosion and comes with a thicker layer of insulation to resist chafing. Never use those cheap trailer wiring kits on a boat trailer as the wire is common automotive grade wire and is not designed to be submerged in water. The only reason the manufacturers use it is it’s cheap and will get the trailer through it warranty period. Second, the chassis common ground is a single point failure and a PITA to troubleshoot, also an automotive mainstay and not conducive to being underwater. When I rewire my boat trailers, I run independent conductors for each light, terminated in a waterproof junction box on the tongue of the trailer. That way if there ever is a problem you can check continuity to each light independently. If a wire needs replacement simply cut it, attach a new wire to the old and pull it through to it’s termination point. The first trailer I did this way was over 25 years ago and has never had a failure except for burned out bulbs.
Good stuff, thanks!
I CANNOT thank you enough for this series of videos! Thanks to your simple, thorough instructional videos I was able to successfully rewire my entire trailer with new fixtures!
The first time I tried to rewire my trailer, I forgot about how important clean, tight grounding points are. Oh, and I broke my then-new replacement fixtures because I over-tightened the mount lugs. I rewatched your series at least 15 times and made triple-sure to ground EVERY fixture to the trailer frame and run a long ground wire from the truck to the trailer frame.
Presto! My trailer has a new lease on life! Thank you once again, good sir!
Thanks for that comment! I so glad it helped.
Terrific work Dave! You show several great tips get the results I'm after: trailer wiring that will last for years, and not be a nuisance. Much appreciated sir!
Glad to help T-bone, KPO.
I have NEVER had a trailer that provided a good chassis ground. During trouble-shooting of trailer light issues I have found that the problem is usually caused by a bad ground. It is so easy to run a wire from the white wire on the harness to each light. This will give each light fixture a good ground and give you MUCH more reliable trailer lights.
true
Absolutely perfect explanation. This is one of the VERY FEW times I've been able to watch a video once and know what to do. Got an old work trailer from a buddy with all the wiring toast and had no idea where to begin until I came across your video. Thank you, sir. Subscribed.
Awesome! Welcome! Let me know how the trailer turns out.
Excellent video. Could not figure out what was wrong with my new trailer light set and the explanation of how they work on this video gave me the clues I needed. Lights work now. Thank you thank you thank you!
Awesome Robert! Thanks for the comment, KPO.
Thank you so much for taking the time, and use of your talent, and putting it in a video. Your suggestions and directions worked so well. I was so pleased that the signal turns, brake lights and flashers worked!!!
Good job!!! Your time and sffort was not wasted
You are so welcome!
Dave
Great help - I was ready to blow up! Didn’t know about the grounding requirements- did what you said and everything worked
Thanks
Thanks for that feedback, glad it helped!
Excellent video. You're very clear on what going on and you cleared up my suspicions of what was going on with my troubleshooting. Thank You!
You're a natural instructor and I appreciate you taking the time to make such a simple to understand how-to video. I've got troubles with attention and learning, but despite this, you've laid out everything perfectly and in a way I could comprehend. Many, many thanks!
Wow! Thank you so much for that comment! I'm very humbled and I'm glad this helped.
Nice job Dave. Trailer lights are my number two all time PITA necessary jobs, right behind fiberglass insulation.
Well I hope this helps, KPO.
You never know you would need a video like this until you need a video like this thank you so much. Those bolt connections are my problem.
Glad to help
I actually just bought a trailer with a row boat this year. First one ever so clueless with this stuff. It needs wiring and lights all replaced and this video is exactly what I needed easy to understand and see what needs to be done.
Glad to help, KPO.
Awesome,..👍🙏🤗👏👏thank you so much,..you see i am replacing the light on an old harbor freight utility trailer,...and othe videos didn't talked or show the small details they think we all know,...and those details are the most important part,...from the drilling of additional holes to how to crimp a ring cknecter....EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!
Silvia, thank you so much for that comment! So happy this video helped you out.
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Same! Harbor Freight trailer!
Excellent video. I looked though a lot, and this one really shows the steps, and provides an excellent diagram. Super grateful. And I wired my trailer perfectly after this! Thank you!
You are welcome! Thank you for the comment!
I think you're doing it the right way, 100%. The old wiring on my used trailer was daisy chaining the brake lights and marker lights using the brown wire first, then continuing the flow of electricity through the GROUND wire to the other light!!!
In my opinion, it's CRUCIAL to make sure that every light (or electric component) has it's OWN ground, somewhere to the frame of the trailer.
A ground is a GROUND. It's not a method to power the next light!!!
USE SOME SORT OF A 3 WAY CONNECTOR TO USE A SINGLE WIRE TO POWER MULTIPLE COMPONENTS!!!!!!
Awesome video! Just wanted to clarify what you did and how important it is to do it like this!!!!
Thanks a lot for that comment.
Good series. I've begun using semi trailer lights that fit inside a rubber grommet that mounts to a cutout or metal enclosure. got tired of breaking these style taillights. my preference is also to run the wire for the running light all the way to the back and then back up to the side marker. less chance of losing the rear lights due to fewer connections. I even ran conduit front to back on mine so I have less chance of wires getting frayed/damaged. wanted that to be the last time I had to mess with this stuff.
thanks for adding in
l❤
Your video helped me to fix my ground problem in my trailer. Couldn’t figure it out without it! Much appreciated!!
Glad it helped!
Great video Dave! Very helpful. And the Hodag in the background was a bonus! I grew up in Rhinelander! Now I’m a Georgia Hodag! Thanks again!
I was born in Rhinelander but moved soon after. Both my parents are from Rhinelander too. One set of grandparents had a house on the river near the paper mill. We would visit a lot and did a lot of fishing on the wis. river as a kid.
Great video my ground wire broke so everything went out and your video was instrumental in showing me the difference between the continuity and connectivity of a trailer so I hooked the ground wire back up and everything works. Thanks very instructive and well-made video.
Thanks a lot for that comment. Glad the video helped.
Excellent video! Thanks for clearly explaining which colour wire controls which feature. This will really be helpful when I tackle my trailer lights this week!
Glad it was helpful! Let me know if you run into problems.
I greatly appreciate this video & your time making it and how well & clear it is done. I'm stupid about electrical and timid about fooling with it but with boat trailers it's and ongoing maintenance you can't ignore. The video helped me understand continuity, especially the explanation about the white wire & completing the circuit. We are on Lake Palestine & we fish saltwater in Hackberry, LA which is so hard on everything. Thank you again. If you are ever in East Tx, holler and I'll put you up in one of my cabins.
Awesome, will keep in mind!
just purchased new trailer lights. video explained everything in detail and i was able to get them set up. thank you sir!
Cool, thanks!
Great video I was in the dark when it came to wiring trailer mostly how a ground works thank you.
You are very welcome, KPO.
Bro, your a grear teacher. Make it seem easy. Thanks for your help. Keep the vids coming!
Thanks, will do!
Thanks so much for this very informative video..I rewired all my boat trailer wires with new ones.The jumper wire you suggested for the ground worked great..The new lights wouldn't work until I jumped wire the tongue to the frame...
Glad it helped
This video really deserves more likes! Very helpful information. Thanks for posting.
Much appreciated!
Thank you for this wonderful video! I thought I knew enough about wiring. Oh how arrogant I was! Lol. Very nice, thorough, informative, to-the-point instructions. Great pacing! Never dragged. A+
WOW! Thank you so much for that comment! I'm happy this video helped you out!
Great instruction. I am replacing my trailer lights and wires on an old trailer. Your video is awesome and easy to understand.
thank you
This was was best explained wiring instructions of all. Some how the other videos left a few details confusing, not this one
thanks for that comment
Wow thank you for making this video….its much appreciated brother !
Glad it was helpful!
Great job on the video! You explained everything so it was easy to understand. Thank you
You're very welcome!
Great video. I just bought a smoker mounted on a trailer and this video helped me out a lot.
Cool
Excellent video playlist on trailer lights Sir! Thank you very much from Georgia.
You are so welcome.
working on Manac"s Great Danes Utility's and those. Got to say , listen to this man 👍👍
Thanks my friend!
Thank you very much for this video with a super clear explanation! I’m driving from Florida to Wisconsin with my trailer lights going on / off and getting faded depending on the surface of the road I’m driving on. I could not understand why the problem even after moving the ground wire to another close section on my trailer. Well my trailer came 3 and a half years ago in many pieces, like a puzzle and I think that the problem!!
I guess I’ll have to run the left and right ground to the from of the trailer, close to the side markers.
I hope I’m right??
I think you got the right plan.
Absolutely, this is a great video. Thank you so much!
You are so welcome!
Super helpful, great detail. Others I started to watch (but didn't finish) kinda jumped over the "boring" parts, which wasn't really helpful. This video didn't skip anything. 👍👍 I've got a sailboat trailer I've got to do, and didn't know the first thing about it before this video. Now, at least I know the _first_ thing!
Glad it was helpful!
Superb work on these videos Dave ! Excellent !
Many thanks!
Great how-to video! Best on the net.
Wow! Thank you my friend, KPO.
Great video, very well explained. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love the Hodag in the background!
I was born in Rhinelander, are you familiar with the area?
@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors I have family that live there. Beautiful place.
I did a nursing contract at the hospital in Rhinelander 25 years ago. I lived in a vacation house on Hancock Lake. Great people, Beautiful area!
Beautiful job!! Thank you so much
Great teacher 👏 👍
Thanks so much!
I am getting ready to do my first trailer rewire your video has made me more confident that i can do it and properly thank you!!!
You are welcome!
Marvellous sir. Thank you so much. Excellent series. #11 brought it all together.👍🏻🍀
Excellent
Great video, just what I needed. Thank you
You are welcome!
Thanks for posting this video. Your explanation and how to do help me solve my issue with my trailer lights.
You are welcome!
I like the way the dog looks at at the trailer like he knows what your talking about!
Dogs are great!
Had a grounding problem with my Harbor Freight foldup trailer. Your vid fixed it thanks
Glad it helped
I learned a lot from that. I need to put new wires on double axle pressure washer trailer. The trailer should have brakes. I could wire it just to have the light setup but if I'm going to do it I'd rather do it right and have the brake setup as well. I'm look at your other videos and see if you have one that includes trailer brakes. Thank you!
Sorry, I haven't done any vids with brakes.
This vide series was super educational and helpful. Great job. Thanks1!
Glad to help.
Wow what a great instructional video! Thank you for making this!
You're very welcome!
Excellent explanation! Thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful!
Very informant video . Thanks for posting . Got two to rewire and your video will be a big help today .
Sounds like you got some work ahead of you. Let me know how it turn out.
@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Thanks, I will. Had to order new wire . The old one has a bear wire in the frame somewhere so .
was struggle bussing without lights bolted into trailer. thank you🤭 so simple.
Good to hear.
Nice job explaining this man. Wiring my trailer this weekend.
let me know how it goes.
Once again your videos are a life saver!! Thanks KPO.
Glad to help!
OUTSTANDING, and very informative video! Easy to follow.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video. Thank you !
You are welcome!
Loved you on the Red Green show
Thanks!
Saved me some money thanks to your video! Many thanks my friend!
Glad I could help!
We are Having trouble even drilling into the metal of the trailer … so many broken bits, center punches (even ones made for steel) and headaches. Any advice? Should we skip the drilling, tapping the hole etc and try those screws instead?!
Wow, I wonder if you have a stainless steel trailer. I haven't come across one, but who knows. If it's mild steel or galvanized you should be able to drill into it. Get a new, sharp bit and find a part of the trailer that has thinner metal. There should be some place to get a good ground by where the lights attach to the trailer. If the trailer really is impossible to drill, maybe try a "clamp on" grounding lug. Like an electrician might use.
Thanks to you I was able to troubleshoot my trailer lights.
welcome
Wondering why the wires were not run inside the square tubing of the trailer tongue? Very helpful video! Thanks!
Well, I did show at the 25 min mark doing that way to another trailer, so it definitely is an option. I have had wires inside the square tubing rub and short out. Often it's an intermittent problem and it can be hard to find because you can't physically see the rubbed wire. I have also seen wires run down a small round tube on utility trailers. I had one where the small tube rusted on the inside and shorted the wires. It was so bad I couldn't even pull the wires out of the tube. So "sometimes" I just like to run the wires on the outside of the trailer and just make sure they are secured. Either way is fine though.
Great video on trailer lights! Best I've encountered! I have one question though. What size/style self starting screws die you use and do you have to drill a pilot hole for them? Thanks!
Don't remember the size, no pilot hole required.
Just awesome information 👌 very good explanation of how everything works thank you God bless you
Thank you so much.
Great Content and Instruction; Very Thorough‼️😎👍🏾
Thank you!
Thank you so much for this....Hugely helpful!
You're very welcome!
So helpful! Thanks for putting this together!
You're so welcome!
Great video for beginners thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Nice detailed video. Question for you: I need to run new wiring with the new fixtures to my trailer. The instructions are like yours. The problem I have is feeding the new wires to my fixtures on the Carry On trailer. The trailer has metal conduits to protect and hide the wiring. The problem is that it appears the conduit(s) for the wiring is blocked. Is it normal to have blockages i.e. did the manufacturer plugged it up on purpose? I can't even pull on the wire from one end of the conduit to see if the wire is accessible other wise I would cut and tile the wire and pull it through. Your thoughts?
I've seen them get packed with dirt and sand and make it impossible to pull the wires out. It's also possible the manufacturer did secure them in the pipes to prevent rubbing or wear over time. Hey if you can't get them out, you can't get them out. New conduits or alternate path might be the options.
Superb work on these videos.
I keep blowing my truck running light fuse when my boat trailer is connected. I checked the vehicle side and all look normal, I get 12.8VDCc out of the brown all looks good. On the trailer side I have continuity from the brown on the RHS to the WHT but no continuity on the LHS brown to WHT. I suspect that I have a short between the brown and frame/white on the RHS but the LHS is fine. What are thoughts?
Yes what you are seeing could be the problem. Keep in mind you could read continuity through the bulb to the white if you have the old filament bulbs or possibly even LEDs. And this could appear to be a short. The LHS might read different because of a different issue (blown bulb or bad fixture). Unplug the bulb on the RHS and see if the short is still there. Or if you have LEDs disconnect the brwn near the fixture on the RHS and see if the short goes away. If it stays search the brown wire for a ground. KPO
@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors
On the RHS I still have a combination of old bulbs and LED.
Thanks for the tip.
Great explanation thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! I'm rewiring my trailer and my side marker lights have rivets holding them on and I'm replacing all of them. Do you think aluminum rivets would work? Or should they be stainless?
Stainless is usually better. I'm thinking you are in Florida, a Northern Michigan man like myself doesn't know all the pitfalls of the salt water you may deal with!
@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors I couldn't find stainless locally and ended up with the aluminum. It worked out great. I also think that's what was on it from the manufacturer. BTW, Thanks for your video! I rewired my entire trailer. Grinding off corrosion from the metal and moving my ground wire really made a difference. No more flashing lights from a ground wire that was on the swing tongue. 👍👍
No one can show it better Thank You
thank you
Thank you. Great detail. 👍
thank you
Thank you. This helped immensely!
Cool, cool!
Your video helped me identify that my ground was not getting a good connection. I extended my white ground wire to the back of my trailer and then bolted it down. Now when I hit my brakes work instead of completely going out.
Awesome!
Grear video! Saved me time and money.
Glad it helped! Any other questions I do have a playlist of several more trailer light videos if interested - czcams.com/video/-14kh2DYdOo/video.html
Great video. Thanks
Glad you liked it!
Great video my friend. Thank you Sir!
You are welcome.
Such a helpful video, thank you!
Awesome! Thanks!
My harness has a yellow green brown and red wire it says the red is for rear marking red lights if trailer over 80" inches wide plus the white ground wire.
I ran all the wires except white to rear of trailer used white for ground on the front of the tongue. For my marking lights I ran a separate wire from each marking light and spliced into the brown at the back yellow to left green to right.
Nothing works shouldn't that setup work wired that way.
I'm going to check my grounds today. Also it an old tilt trailer I did grind the paint away at all connections.
Is this wrong or should it work wired this way
Did you use the red for anything or just the brown for the running lights? I think you are saying you don't need the red because your trailer isn't that wide. It sounds like it's all good as far as yellow green brown and white, but yes check that the entire trailer is grounded good. Might not have a good ground at back of trailer.
Excellent video!
thanks
So im trying to redo my wiring for my pop up camper. Can i run a ground wire from all lights to the trailer and then run my appropriate wires to the lights?
Yes, that can be a big help.
This is so far the best explanation
Thank you for that comment.
Very helpful !!
cool
You're a good teacher and explain well. I tried wiring my friends sled trailer. I put new lights on the back that only has 2 wires, no white wire and attached the black wire for the license plate light and marker light to the brown and black wire. When I plugged it in, the signal lights were flashing properly but so was the license plate light when left signal light was on and middle marker light was flashing when right signal was on. Not sure why. I will be replacing the old wiring. It's inside a tubing and I'm thinking it's probably cracked inside also since it's really frayed and old wire. It's a tilt trailer so maybe I should run a white wire from front to tilt like you did, maybe that will fix the issue?
Sounds like a fixture isn't grounded right. Double check the fixtures and new wiring is always a good idea.
Ok, thank you. I will check. @@KnettersPracticalOutdoors
@@KnettersPracticalOutdoorsI replaced the lights and wires and everything worked except for the trailer park lights. A friend suggested that I check the fuse in my truck for the parking lights and after I changed it and checked, to my utter shock and amazement, everything works as it should! I've never done a rewire and light replacement before. I'm really glad everything works! Thanks for your help. 😊
great video. Thanks!!!!
You're welcome!
❤❤❤❤ THANK YOU… MY GROUND WASN’T TOUCHING THE TRAILER
Your welcome!