How To Wire A Trailer, New Lights Also

How to wire a trailer for beginners. Tips and tricks they don't tell you about in the trailer light kit.

[YUHJKT]

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.

[johnmiller]

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!!!

[jayhawkr]

This is the best trailer wiring video I have found yet hands down

[danu]

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.

[robbhereford]

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 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!

[pipebender]

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!

[rjr]

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.

[randymehling]

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!

[scottjohnson]

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!

[Easy_Money]

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!

[vdreamer]

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.

[johncarr]

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

[isyoureadyskidaddy]

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!

[Stormy]

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.

[matthewteichmann]

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!

[bewell]

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.

[mattsmith]

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
Awesome video! Just wanted to clarify what you did and how important it is to do it like this!!!!

[theloneoutdoorsman]

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.

[DonnaGiordano]

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

[joelhelein]

Dave
Great help - I was ready to blow up! Didn’t know about the grounding requirements- did what you said and everything worked
Thanks