How to Wire Lights on a Trailer

It is important to understand how to wire lights on a trailer, as it is illegal not to have working lights on your trailer. It also helps make driving safer for you. Depending upon your trailer, the way you wire the lights may differ, and the wires may appear in different colors. Consult your trailer's manual in order to see what the wires you need to to wire your trailer look like.

Things You'll Need

• Ring terminals
• Trailer with lights
• Automotive wiring
• Bolts
• Wire tubing
• Wire crimpers

Instructions

1. Disconnect the vehicle's battery. Then, take the No. 8 automotive wire from your vehicle's engine to the back bumper of your car or truck. This wire is usually a thick black wire.

2. Connect this wire from the vehicle's engine to the trailer's conduit, which resembles metal tubing.

3. Bring the wire to the left side of a circuit breaker that is mounted on the fender or engine wall on your truck,car or SUV. Grab another wire and attach it to the other side of the circuit breaker. Then, connect the other end of this wire to the alternator battery terminal.

4. Connect another wire on the trailer's chassis with a ring terminal and an 1/4-inch bolt.

5. Plug this wire in so that your car or truck alternator can begin to charge the batteries of the trailer.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on your type of trailer, these directions could differ.

• Be careful when working with electrical devices.