How to Ground Lights When Re-Wiring Aluminum Frame Snowmobile Trailer
Updated 03/30/2025 | Published 07/06/2022
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
Rebuilding an aluminum 2 place clamshell snowmobile trailer. Think it’s around year 2001, wiring is shot, and looks like it was horribly done from the factory on top of that scotch locks, etc Bought about everything through you guys, just have the wiring left to do. Any trailer I’ve done in the past I ground in the front near the tongue with the short length of white wire that normally comes on a 4 flat plug, then the lights get grounded individually with a self tapper through an eyelet, or through the light stud, to the trailer. Is this fine on an aluminum tilt deck trailer? Didn’t think anything of it until I started reading about some people having issues on aluminum, especially tilt deck trailers, and having to run a dedicated loop of ground wire through every light back to the tongue. Is this actually necessary? Thanks, look forward to continuing business with you.
asked by: Dave
Expert Reply:
Although it may not be absolutely necessary, aluminum does not conduct well so running the ground wire to your aluminum frame is not recommended. Instead, you can use # DW02359-1 to run individual ground wires for each light up to your main ground wire at the tongue of your trailer. This will keep everything working properly and prevent the wide range of issues a bad ground can cause.
Anna
3/29/2025
Do you loop the individual grounding wires for each light to the same spot on the tongue, where you are grounding the white, grounding wire for the 4 flat prong? 7 lights+1 4flat plug= 8 grounding wires
Robin H.
3/30/2025
Product Page this Question was Asked From
35 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 42" Ground
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- Optronics
more information >
Continue Researching
- Shop: Kenda Karrier KR53 ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire with 15" Black Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2
- Shop: Kenda Karrier KR53 ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire with 15" Black Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2
- Search Results: anti wobble
- Search Results: cotter pin
- Shop: WackO Products Silencer for Dometic and GE RV Air Conditioners
- Search Results: trailer light bracket
- Shop: 16 Gauge Primary Wire - White - Per Foot
- Video: Review of WackO Products Silencer for Furrion RV Air Conditioners - WO94FR
- Q&A: How to Establish Ground Connection When Re-Wiring Aluminum Trailer
- Q&A: How to Measure a Trailer Spindle
- Shop: LED Combination Tail Light Kit for Trailers under 80" Wide - Submersible - Driver and Passenger
- Video: etrailer 2 Swivel Jacks with Bolt-On Mounting Plates Feature Review
- Shop: Kenda Karrier KR53 ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire with 15" Black Mod Wheel - 5 on 5
- Search Results: trailer lights
- Search Results: 1 7/8 ball
- Search Results: 2 inch ball
- Search Results: accessories and parts
- Shop: Kenda Karrier ST205/75R15 Trailer Tire with Black Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2
- Video: Let’s Check Out the Hopkins Trailer Wiring Installation Kit
- Video: A Closer Look at the LED Combination Tail Light Kit for Trailers under 80" Wide
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 4-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Article: Trailer Lighting Requirements
- Q&A: Considerations For Upgrading A Carry-On Utility Trailer To 15" Tires For Long Highway Trips
- Article: Troubleshooting 4 and 5-Way Wiring Installations
- Video: A Closer Look at the etrailer Swivel Jacks with Bolt-On Mounting Plates
- Video: Review of etrailer Trailer Jack - 2 Swivel Jacks with Bolt-On Mounting Plates - e94RV
- Q&A: Clevis Hitch Connections For Trailer With Two-Tang Clevis With 1" Clevis Pin
- Article: How to Measure Your Trailer Wheel Bolt Pattern
on Trailer Wiring
Pat
8/12/2024
What is #DWO2359-1