How to Hook Up Brake Lights on a Trailer
All trailers require brake lights and turn lights to be legally operated. You may want to attach a trailer to your car to move anything that can't fit inside a car. Installing a set of lights is a simple process that takes less than an hour.
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Things You'll Need
- Wire stripper
- Wire cutters
- Trailer light kit including splice connectors, self-tapping screws, wiring harness and lights
- Drill
Instructions
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1
Mount the lights to the back of the trailer. Use the fasteners that are included with the lights. Most fasteners are self-tapping metal screws that you must install with a drill, but check the manufacturer's instructions.
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2
Lay out the wiring harness and position it in such a way that it will not be damaged by any loads you will be carrying or by any road debris you may encounter. It's usually a good idea to run it from the front of the trailer to the back, along a structural support such as the frame of the trailer.
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3
Secure the wiring harness with zip ties.
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4
Cut the wires leading to the brake lights to a length such that they reach the connection point without being too long.
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5
Strip about 1/2-inch of wire, using your wire strippers.
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6
Insert the wiring harness wire and the wire coming from one of the two lights into a splice connector, which is included in the kit. Crimp the connector using the wire stripper.
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7
Repeat Steps 4 to 6 with the other light. These will be color-coded. Most commonly, the left light is indicated by a yellow wire and the right light is indicated by a green wire, but consult the manufacturer's instructions for specifics.
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8
Attach the ground wire to the frame of the trailer with a self-tapping screw. Note the circuit will not be complete without this step.
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9
Leave several feet of wire at the front of the trailer that will allow you to make the connection to the car's trailer plug. Generally the trailer plug is located by the hitch, but consult the car's manual.
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Tips & Warnings
The most common type of connector is the "Flat Four," so named because it has four connection points on the terminals.
References
- Photo Credit boat trailer image by wiladayvo from Fotolia.com
