How Do I Make Boat Trailer Lights Work Properly?
Some boats are kept at marinas, but most boats are transported to and from the waterways by a trailer. Boat owners can get frustrated when they decide to go boating and find the trailer lights have failed. Fixing trailer lights is something most boat owners can accomplish using tools found around the home workshop or purchased at a hardware or auto parts store.
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Instructions
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Catalog the problem. Have a helper sit in the driver's seat and turn on the vehicle. Tell the helper to activate the left and right turn signals and depress the brake pedal. Observe the trailer to determine if the left and right turn signals are activating appropriately and the brake lights illuminate when the pedal is depressed. Write down any problems for future reference.
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Isolate the problem to the tow vehicle or the trailer. Disconnect the trailer wiring from the tow vehicle. Use a 12 volt tester to test if there is current in the tow vehicle electric connection. If there is no current, consult the tow vehicle owner's manual to determine the location of the fuses. Replace the fuses for the turn signals and brake lights. If there is current in the electric connection, the problem is in the trailer.
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Reconnect the trailer connection to the tow vehicle electrical connection. Go to the rear of the trailer and remove the light cover and the bulbs from the turn signals with a screwdriver. Use the 12 volt tester to determine if current is reaching the turn signals when they are activated. Replace the bulbs if there is current when the turn signals are activated. Further testing of the wiring is needed if there is no current.
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Go to the front of the trailer. Locate the ground wire. The ground wire is usually the light colored wire leading from the trailer electrical connection. This wire should be connected to the frame of the trailer with a screw. Disconnect the screw with a screwdriver and clean it with a wire brush. Remove insulation from the ground wire with a utility knife and reconnect it to the cleaned screw. Screw the ground wire and screw in place. Recheck the turn signals. Further testing is required if there is still no current to the turn signals.
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Follow the wiring from each turn signal to the electrical connection at the front of the trailer. Test the wiring with a 12 volt tester at each junction or connection. Find the junction or connection where the electrical signal from the tow vehicle stops. Disconnect the connection, clean it with a wire brush and reconnect. Continue to repair the electrical connections until the current is restored from the tow vehicle connection to the turn signals.
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Tips & Warnings
Always disconnect the trailer electrical connection prior to launching the boat. Submersing trailer lights can cause shorts or burn out the light bulbs on the trailer.
References
- Photo Credit parking remorques à bateaux image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
