How Does Optronics Heavy Duty Magnetic Tow Light Kit TL21RK Ground to Tow Vehicle

Updated 09/13/2016 | Published 09/12/2016

Question:

Do the magnetic tow lights need to be mounted to metal for grounding? For example, I built a camper. Its on a metal Harbor Freight trailer, but the rest is wood. I am having issues with the existing wiring harness grounding and have had several mechanics try to figure out why with no luck. I wondered if I could mount metal to the wood frame of the camper body and then stick the tow lights to that. Would I have a grounding issue? Does the magnet need to be on a large metal surface for grounding?

asked by: Doug

Expert Reply:

The magnetic type of tow lights, such as the Optronics # TL21RK, does not ground through the magnet's contact with the trailer's metal structure. The 4-pole wiring of such light kits includes a white ground wire that uses the tow vehicle for its ground. This means that you absolutely can mount metal plates to the wooden structure to provide a magnet-friendly mounting point for the lights.

expert reply by: Adam R