Trailer Light Question
- This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated Jun 21, 2013 at 1:54 pm by
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Hey guys –
I’ve replaced the rear trailer lights on my Gheenoe trailer after the first set went bad. I even re-wired the whole trailer from scratch, using heat-shrink tubing to make the connections waterproof. I still can’t keep the side turn signal bulbs on the rears from blowing out.
The actual rear lights work fine. I know I have it wired properly because it works as it is supposed to any time I replace the lights. But the side bulbs will burn out in less than 2 hours of driving. I’ve looked at the LED light kits for trailers but I noticed that they too use an incandescent side turn lamp, at least on all the models I’ve seen.
Anyone got any advice? Obviously this system has to be submersible.
Zach
Zach, check the voltage. You should be getting 12.8vdc roughly on those lights. And it might sound simple but check the light bulbs are 12v too. The problem could also be on your vehicle, maybe a dud join in the wiring harness or coupling? My trailer has LED lights – might be an option for you as these are often multi-voltage compatible.
Best Regards,
Beechy
Make sure that you use a wire for your ground, not the ball and hitch. Attach the ground to the trailer frame and go through your trailer connector to the frame on your truck. Bad grounds account for a lot of issues on cars,trucks, and trailers.
Both are good advice. Here are some random thoughts: I’m not sure what you mean by side turn signals. Are you talking about side marker lights that stay on same time as the tail lights? Does your trailer not use the brake lights as turn signals? If so they should be LED bulbs also if it is an LED set. When I replaced my old boat trailer lights with LEDs they were all LEDs if I remember right. I’m surprised at the problem since you don’t dunk it in saltwater. Bad ground is certainly the most common problem with trailer lights but I would think it would just cause them not to work, not burn them out right away. Do you have to back them into the water to launch? Do you see the broken filament in the bulb? Do they blow just riding on the road or just after dunking in the water? If they are incandescent bulbs you may be able to find LED bulbs that fit that particular socket.
I plan on living forever, so far so good.
Are you talking about side marker lights that stay on same time as the tail lights? Does your trailer not use the brake lights as turn signals?
Allan –
Yes, the side marker lights. I guess they don’t actually flash when I am turning – I need to replace the bulb and check. These are burning out when I simply trailer the boat down the road, whether it gets dunked or not. The filament itself is blowing. And the LED trailer light kits I’ve seen at Northern Tool and Equipment or West Marine all have LED rears but incandescent side marker lights.
Thanks for the advice all – I will check several of these things.
Zach
Zach, you might look at:
These are all replacement LED side marker lights. Depends on whether you need ones that mount with single stud or two screws or surface mount. I’ve always had good experiences dealing with Jamestown.
I plan on living forever, so far so good.
I replaced lights on my utility trailer and boat trailer with units like these listed below. Soldered the connections, then slid shrink wrap tubing over the connection. Best thing I ever did with regard to trailer lights. Have not had to worry about them for the past three years, they always work when I plug them in.
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Lights/Optronics/STL9RB.html
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