How to Wire a Featherlite Trailer

by David Sandoval

Most automotive trailers -- Featherlite trailers included -- contain a factory-installed electrical harness to connect to the automotive electrical system. This electrical harness provides an interface for the turn signal, brake and side marker lamps installed on the trailer. If the trailer is left out in the elements, the wiring can develop cuts or breaks in the insulation, or the electrical wire can become frayed or broken. If the wiring becomes compromised, you may have to rewire the trailer to get the lights working again.

Step 1

Remove any broken, loose or cracked wiring on the trailer. If all wiring is to be replaced, cut each wire approximately 6 inches away from the signal, brake and marker lamps. This will leave an electrical lead for each lamp to splice into the replacement wiring.

Step 2

Run a brown wire and a green wire down the right side of the trailer frame. Both wires must reach from the trailer hitch to the rear right-side brake light. Attach both wires to the trailer frame.

Step 3

Place the green wire at the rear of the trailer into the run channel (bottom notch) of the first wire splice connector. Insert the green electrical lead from the right turn signal into the tap wire hole on the side of the wire splice connector. Crimp the splice connector U-contact down until it is flush with the top of the plastic insulator. Close the top cover so that it latches.

Step 4

Place the brown wire at the rear of the trailer into the run channel of the second splice connector. Insert the brown electrical lead from the tail lamp into the tap hole and crimp the splice connector U-contact closed. Close the top cover of the wire splice connector.

Step 5

Place the brown wire at the right side of the trailer into the run channel of the third splice connector. Insert the brown electrical lead from the right side marker into the tap hole and crimp the splice connector U-contact closed. Close the top cover of the wire splice connector.

Step 6

Run a brown wire and a yellow wire down the left side of the trailer frame. Both wires must reach from the trailer hitch to the rear right-side brake light. Attach both wires to the trailer frame. Place the brown wire from the left side of the trailer into the run channel of the fourth splice connector, leaving a 6-inch segment at the end of the wire to splice to the trailer harness in a later step. Insert the end of the brown electrical wire going down the right side of the trailer into the tap hole and crimp the splice connector U-contact closed. Close the top cover of the wire splice connector.

Step 7

Place the yellow wire at the rear of the trailer into the run channel of the fifth wire splice connector. Insert the yellow electrical lead from the left turn signal into the tap wire hole on the side of the wire splice connector. Crimp the splice connector U-contact down and close the top cover.

Step 8

Place the brown wire at the left rear side of the trailer into the run channel of the sixth splice connector. Insert the brown electrical lead from the left tail lamp into the tap hole and crimp the splice connector U-contact closed. Close the top cover of the wire splice connector.

Step 9

Place the brown wire at the left side of the trailer into the run channel of the seventh splice connector. Insert the brown electrical lead from the left side marker into the tap hole and crimp the splice connector U-contact closed. Close the top cover of the wire splice connector.

Step 10

Strip ½ inch of insulation from the white wire on the trailer harness. Place the ring terminal over the stripped wire and crimp the terminal to the white wire.

Step 11

Drill a small hole in the trailer frame near the trailer hitch. Place the screw through the ring terminal, and insert the screw into the hole. Tighten the screw so that it holds the ring terminal.

Step 12

Place the loose end of the trailer's brown wire into the run channel on the eighth splice connector. Place the brown wire from the trailer harness into the tap hole and crimp the connector closed. Close the top cover of the wire splice connector.

Step 13

Place the loose end of the trailer's green wire into the run channel on the ninth splice connector. Place the green wire from the trailer harness into the tap hole and crimp the connector closed. Close the top cover of the wire splice connector.

Step 14

Place the loose end of the trailer's yellow wire into the run channel on the 10th splice connector. Place the yellow wire from the trailer harness into the tap hole and crimp the connector closed. Close the top cover of the wire splice connector.

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