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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT Trailer wiring

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Dave H (MI)

08-13-2006 19:00:04




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It's a lifelong curse. I cannot seem to wire a trailer. Rebuilt a 1950's Seeburg jukebox once and it worked fine. Trailers....no way. I just rebuilt an old speedboat trailer into a nice fishing boat hauler. When I installed the light kit (figured I couldn't screw up a kit), here is the result. Tail lights work, four way flashers work. When I hit either turn signal, both flash alternately (not at the same time like 4-ways) and when I hit the brakes both lights go dark.
Anyone got a clue what the heck I have done wrong?
Vehicle is a 2005 F-150. Light kit came from my friends at TSC. Any help appreciated!

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Wayne Swenson

08-14-2006 11:06:33




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Dave H (MI), 08-13-2006 19:00:04  
If you want to test ANY trailer wiring system, just back up close so you can plug in the wiring harness but don"t hook up the hitch. If the lights work properly, you know the ground is good. No lights or incorrectly functioning lights means that your trailer-truck ground is no good. The ground wire should be a larger size because it carries ALL the returning electrons form the electric brakes, tail, marker, signal & brake lights.

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CLW

08-14-2006 08:35:32




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Dave H (MI), 08-13-2006 19:00:04  
Dave, you sure hit a sore spot. I have a 99 F-150 with the same problem when I hook up my son's small trailer. He was going to the deer lease about two years ago and the lights worked as you discribed. We worked about 3 hrs. and did not get them working correctly. They later started working on there own. Next time, same thing. The trailer had been outside in the weather when not in use. In my spare time and when the trailer was not in use (hardly ever is) I got new wire, plugs, lights and screws and replaced EVERYTHING. Nothing changed. I put the jumper cable between the truck and trailer and no help. We sprayed WD-40 on the hitch and ball, nothing. We found that after pulling the trailer maybe a mile with some turns it started working. I also think it is the ground. I have mine grounded through the plug (trailer towing package) plus the ball. Bad grounds do funny things.
If the trailer is used once a week or so we have no problems with it. Try pulling yours around a mile or so and check them again.

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jmixigo

08-13-2006 21:22:04




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Dave H (MI), 08-13-2006 19:00:04  
It ain't the ground this time. It's your nearly new truck.Late model vehicles have two bulbs per side compared to an older vehicle's (and your trailer's) one. To make the turn signals work properly on the trailer you need to go to most any auto parts store and get a "turn signal isolater", and just install by the directions. Then the truck will work with most any trailer.



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RustyFarmall

08-14-2006 06:22:44




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to jmixigo, 08-13-2006 21:22:04  
I agree with that statement, except if the truck is already equipped with the factory towing package, the isolater should already be in place. I think the problem is the ground.



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old

08-13-2006 19:39:45




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Dave H (MI), 08-13-2006 19:00:04  
99% of the problem with wireing up a trailor is the ground. When I do it I put on 2 or 3 grounds and use a grinder every place I hook up one. Also the wireing set up has a color code which you need to use. I don't remember all the colors as far as left and right but I know brown is tail lights, white is ground and then yellow and green are stop/turn signals just not sure which color is which side. And then if you have brakes I think thats the black

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Ryan - WI

08-13-2006 19:39:36




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Dave H (MI), 08-13-2006 19:00:04  
I agree. Your trailer is backfeeding. Rework your ground. 90 precent of all trailer wiring issues are a bad ground. Scrape off paint and then drill a pilot and use a self-tapping screw. The threads cut into the frame assure a metal to metal ground.



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Green B

08-13-2006 19:13:41




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Dave H (MI), 08-13-2006 19:00:04  
Link



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GeorgeH

08-14-2006 04:28:11




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Green B, 08-13-2006 19:13:41  
Excellent document - wish I would have had it two weeks ago.



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Bob Branham

08-13-2006 19:09:45




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Dave H (MI), 08-13-2006 19:00:04  
Put a good ground on it.



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Green B

08-13-2006 19:12:01




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Bob Branham, 08-13-2006 19:09:45  
This may help.



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RWK in WI

08-14-2006 06:51:55




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 Re: OT Trailer wiring in reply to Green B, 08-13-2006 19:12:01  
An easy way to check a ground problem is to use a battery Jump Start Cable from a good, clean metal or bolt on truck ( not the hitch as these can be insulated from truck by paint ) to a good, clean spot on the trailer.



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