Lights on 1999 Magic Trail Trailer By Magic Tilt Do Not Work

Question:

I recently bought, and am pleased with a trailer hitch from e-trailer. Thanks. The lights on the 1999 Magic Trail trailer by Magic Tilt are not working. The lights are a Sierra Products Inc product SAE ?-AI or 1 STLPZ-86. Model 702/802. this was hard to read but I think is right. I tried finding these online- no luck. Then thought of you. I read some FAQs on your site and now Im not sure what to do. The model I have appears sealed and Im supposing are LEDs and should not burn out. I was going to replace the units, but with both out, Im wondering if that should be my first guess. We did have the wiring plugged in to the towing vehicle, and know that the wiring on the vehicle works with other trailers. Would appreciate any suggestions for what to do next, and suggestions for the appropriate replacement item from your stock if that seems indicated.

asked by: Paul T

Expert Reply:

SAE is correct, it stands for Society of Automotive Engineers. The SAE followed by numbers and letters is a lens rating.

LED lights are usually sealed or the LED module itself will be sealed. They can burn out but it would either take a long time or an event such as a bad short to cause them to burn out.

You might actually have a ground issue. Ground problems normally show up when there is more draw on a system such as when you have the running lights on and then use another function like a turn signal or brake light.

Make sure that the vehicle side and trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out. The main connector grounds should be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

The light grounds should also be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces. If there is anything between a light ground and the metal trailer frame or if the trailer has an aluminum frame, tilt bed, or folding tongue, any of these things can interrupt the ground. Running jumper wires from the light grounds to the main trailer connector ground can help.

I have included some links to the right that might also help. I wouldn't say that new lights are the answer yet because if it is a ground issue then new lights would still have the same problem.

expert reply by: Michael H