Trailer Running Lights

[Scrambler82]

About six years old.

Six years doesn't sound like the wiring should a problem, unless you have done something different in the last few months or so !

Start at the truck connector, verify 12 volts is at the connector for each function, then process backwards and find out where the power goes away.

Do you have fuses as suggested !

Luck to ya, wish I was there, I enjoy wiring problems.

 

[Diggin It]

There are test plugs available at many places that sell trailer parts and accessories to test the vehicle side.

 

[flyerdan]

Most trailer light problems are corrosion / debris in the connector; if it has the round split pins in the socket side you might need to take a small blade screwdriver and spread them out a bit, they tend to lose connectivity over time.
I had to deal with the trailers at work all the time for this, they'd drop the plug in the dirt and mud, forget to unplug it and pull the wiring out, etc. The joys of fleet management.

 

[timswi]

Most trailer light probmr are corrosion / debris in the connector; if it has the round split pins in the socket side you might need to take a small blade screwdriver and spread them out a bit, they tend to lose connectivity over time.
I had to deal with the trailers at work all the time for this, they'd drop the plug in the dirt and mud, forget to unplug it and pull the wiring out, etc. The joys of fleet management.

I'll check that too--I have never ripped the plug out or left it on the ground--I usually semi cover it and point it towards the ground to keep the weather out..I do use this trailer fairly heavily though.

 

[Morning Wood]

I’ve never owned a trailer with decent lighting. Best bet is to track down your wire as has been stated, but to also plan for a rewire where every light has there own dedicated wire with ground that runs back to a junction box. I did that with my boat trailer finally 3 years ago and it has been fine ever since. Only problems I have are with my actual lights.

 

[nikerret]

I had a light come disconnected and the power hit the trailer-now, no parking or clearance lights. The brakes worked fine. The power from the back of the light hitting the trailer blew the fuse, in the truck. Plugged the light back in, replaced the fuse. All was well. Check that a light hasn’t come unplugged.

 

[grsthegreat]

On all 3 of my rigs i tore out the aftermarket crap the dealer installs and installed a factory plug. Most newer rigs have dealer available plug and play trailer plug adapters for their trucks. They don’t rely on the crimp thru connectors. I also installed the combination 7/5 wire plug assemblies to work on multiple applications. If you have to splice wires (older rigs) be sure to solder and shrink wrap all connections. Don’t use crimp splices....ever

 

[Deere Dude]

I had a light come disconnected and the power hit the trailer-now, no parking or clearance lights. The brakes worked fine. The power from the back of the light hitting the trailer blew the fuse, in the truck. Plugged the light back in, replaced the fuse. All was well. Check that a light hasn’t come unplugged.

That is exactly what happened to me. I pulled a running light assembly in the rear end and notice the plug in connector disconnected and fell onto some bare metal shorting it out. Must have been all the bouncing around. Luckily for me it was the first light I checked. Love LEDs. Plugged it back in and all was good.

In this instance I was on a long trip and the lights stopped working in a rainstorm and going through Nashville. My wife was following me with a car so I never noticed the lights were out because there are so many reflectors on the trailer I probably didn't need them anyway. I noticed they were not on when we got home and hour later.

 

[zing]

plan for a rewire where every light has there own dedicated wire with ground that runs back to a junction box. I did that with my boat trailer finally 3 years ago and it has been fine ever since. Only problems I have are with my actual lights.

I did the same thing after the third time the ground on my utility trailer corroded and stopped working. Haven't had a problem since.

Honestly that should be the standard. With the cost of a trailer, the little bit of extra wire they are saving can't make that much difference.

 

[Fallon]

On all 3 of my rigs i tore out the aftermarket crap the dealer installs and installed a factory plug. Most newer rigs have dealer available plug and play trailer plug adapters for their trucks. They don’t rely on the crimp thru connectors. I also installed the combination 7/5 wire plug assemblies to work on multiple applications. If you have to splice wires (older rigs) be sure to solder and shrink wrap all connections. Don’t use crimp splices....ever

Crimp connectors are fine... if you are using the right ones. Weatherpack, Deutch, possibly even high quality heat shrink red/blue/yellow ones. The cheap hard plastic red/blue/yellow ones are crap that will make your life ****. They barely work inside in dry spaces.