Preferred Method of Grounding Trailer Lighting Circuits
Published 11/04/2015
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
Hello. On ST8RB and ST9RB and others that ground itself via bolts, would it be better to attach white ground wire on the mounting stud in lights and run it forward to tong if trailer, in this case, wire junction box, would it be better and to make sure its grounded as a safeguard? Would the extra ground wire wouldnt hurt, other than making sure its grounded? and prevent me from constantly replacing fuses on truck side, which narrowed down to lack of positive ground in trailer side
asked by: Robert
Expert Reply:
Running a direct ground up to the trailer tongue or junction box would certainly work, but the only time I'd see that as being necessary is if the lamps were connected to a non metallic structure or a metallic structure that wasn't directly connected to the trailer frame. If the lamps aren't connected to a metal structure in direct contact with the trailer frame, you can use a short length of # DW02359-1 wire with a # DW05702-1 ring terminal on each end to serve as a jumper wire that joins the mounting stud of the lamp to the trailer frame.
When the lamps are installed on metal that's in contact with the trailer frame, the circuit is using the metal trailer frame itself as a ground circuit, so running a separate ground circuit isn't really necessary. If the trailer in question has a tilting tongue or a tilt bed, sometimes the pivot point between the moving and stationary portion of the trailer becomes worn, leading to a poor ground connection. In that case, using a jumper to join the moving to the stationary part of the trailer will fix the issue.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Optronics Combination Trailer Tail Light - 6 Function - Incandescent - Red Lens - Passenger Side
- Trailer Lights
- Tail Lights
- Brake/Tail/Turn
- Marker
- Square
- Surface Mount
- Non-Submersible Lights
- Incandescent Light
- 5-5/16L x 4-9/16W Inch
- Red
- Optronics
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Search Results: race ramps
- Search Results: trailer lights
- Q&A: How to Properly Ground Trailer Marker and Taillights
- Video: Setting up the 12V PWM Filter for RV Backup Camera Systems on a 2021 Thor Coleman Motorhome
- Article: Breakaway Kit Installation for Single and Dual Brake Axle Trailers
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Search Results: trailer wiring junction box
- Search Results: trailer breakaway kit
- Search Results: ring terminals wiring
- Article: Troubleshooting 4 and 5-Way Wiring Installations
- Search Results: threaded bearing buddy
- Shop: etrailer RapidRamps 6' Long Bolt-On Trailer Ramps for over 6-1/2' Wide Trailers
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Video: 20 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness Feature Review
- Video: An In-Depth Look at the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Video: All About the Trailer Wiring Junction Box
- Shop: Bright Way Push-to-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with 1-Amp Charger and 5 Ah Battery - Top Load
- Shop: Trailer Wiring Junction Box - 7 Color Coded Terminals - ABS
- Shop: Trailer Wiring Junction Box
- Shop: Bright Way Trailer Breakaway Kit with 0.5-Amp Charger and 5 Ah Battery
- Shop: 12V PWM Filter for RV Backup Camera Systems - Hardwire
- Shop: Voyager PWM Filter for Voyager RV Camera Systems - CEC Connector
- Q&A: Troubleshooting New LED Trailer Tail Lights Not Working as Running Lights
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Reasons Why Boat Trailer Running Lights Are Not Working
- Q&A: Troubleshooting LED Lights Not Working On Trailer
- Q&A: How Many 12V PWM Filters is Needed on a Multi Cam Furrion Vision S System
- Q&A: Do Trailer Lights Sometimes Ground Through Mounting Hardware
- Q&A: Can I Wire My Backup Camera System into the Vehicle's 7 Way Trailer Plug
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: Review of Optronics Trailer Lights - Clearance Lights Amber - OPT26KB
on Trailer Lights
