Does Trailer Lighting Ground Through the Hitch Ball

Question

Question:

Okay havent had my boat trailer out in 10 years. My question is does the trailer need to be grounded to my truck for lights to work? I hooked up 4 way trailer plug to my truck and I have no lights working on trailer so I put a test lights to my truck and all works fine on truck, but I didnt set trailer on the hitch ball, does it have to be hooked to ball to get its ground for the trailer lights to work?

asked by: Don

0

Expert Reply:

In some cases trailer lighting will ground through the hitch ball but that's typically only if the actual ground circuit is insufficient. This is not an ideal setup. It needs to ground through the wiring of the trailer harness.

You can test this by setting the coupler on the ball and if it works you know the ground of the trailer needs to be improved. Otherwise you'll get intermittent lighting functions when your trailer hits bumps.

I attached a couple help articles for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

John

2/27/2020

You guys r great! Your articles have helped me Trouble shoot my 1989 Coleman Columbia. Thanks keep it coming.

Chris R.

2/27/2020

I'm glad we could help! Please don't hesitate to shoot us a question if anything else comes up.

Mike F.

8/1/2020

Hey have a 2010 Keystone camper. When running lights are on rt turn signal wont work. When I pull the bulb out and use my tester it will work. Put bulb in no blinker. The tail light works.

Jon G.

8/11/2020

According to our trailer light wiring FAQ you have one of the following problems. 1. Insufficient ground or short to ground on trailer or vehicle side. OR 2. Harness is overloaded when tail lights are engaged because the trailer has too many running lights. Here is a link to the wiring help page so you can see the different steps you can take to fix your issue.

Helpful Links

faq-4-5-way-troubleshooting.aspx

Bev C.

9/8/2020

Had new adaptor put on truck but having no lights on camper. When I did have lights no turn signals or break lights. Camper is a 1977 Shasta. HELP

Jon G.

9/11/2020

Start off by testing to make sure the wiring connector on your truck is sending out the correct functions. You can use a circuit tester to test the connector or simply plug the trailer into a different vehicle that is known to work. Once you know if the problem is your tow vehicle or trailer you will need to check any fuses and wiring on your tow vehicle and then all of the wiring and grounds on your trailer. Here is an article on wiring troubleshooting for you to check out.

Helpful Links

faq-4-5-way-troubleshooting.aspx

Answer 1

In some instances the trailer will try to ground itself between the hitch ball and coupler if the trailer's own ground connection is weak or poor. The best solution is to re-establish the trailer's own ground connection. Find the…

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Answer 2

Hi Wiley, sweet camper! We do have a few options for center caps that will fit the Goodyear Wrangler LT225/75R16 Trailer Tire with Liger Aluminum Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 #LH42FR you purchased, but there isn't one that is specific to it. I have two…

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Answer 3

We recommended to repack the wheel bearings on your trailer every 12 months or 12,000 miles. There is not a specific guideline as far as actually replacing the bearings. When repacking them with grease, you will also just want to check for any damage…

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Answer 4

It could be a tow package fuse on the vehicle. Use the owners manual to find the locations of fuses/relays related to the tow package wiring to check them and replace as needed. If the issue is not a fuse or relay then you can test the vehicle side…

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Answer 5

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 6

The 15" wheels will use a 1/2" 20 lug nut. This is standard for virtually any 15" 5 lug or 6 lug wheel/ hub combination. Now I am not sure exactly when your trailer was made, but anything made within the last few decades should stick…

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Answer 7

Thank you for your purchase of the Demco Channel Tongue Trailer Coupler - eZ-Latch. The diameter is 5/16" and the lock that is designed specifically for Demco couplers with the eZ-Latch is the following: - InfiniteRule Lock for Demco eZ-Latch…

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Answer 8

The 6.5-16 tire size from what I can find is uncommon size that was only used in the 50's and 60's. This tire was 6.5" wide and 29.41" tall which fit on a 16" wheel. The 6.5x16.5-8 size you mention is much smaller at 6.6"…

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Answer 9

David, ideally you'd want to keep that minimum of 3" of clearance you have, and upgrading to larger tires is going to decrease that. You can still upgrade your wheels to a 16" wheel like you're wanting to while still using the same…

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Answer 10

A hitch ball does not make a good ground connection for trailer lighting functions. The fact that the lights work for a bit after you hit a bump with the hitched trailer tells us that somewhere in your trailer and vehicle wiring there is an…

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Answer 11

You do not need to have the trailer hitched to your vehicle as the ground for the trailer is actually one of the pins of the 4-way connector. Since the new lights are not functioning I recommend double checking that all of the wiring connections made…

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Answer 12

The 10 inch Electric Brake Assembly, #23-26, requires a 7/16 inch, fine thread bolt for installation. Use part #6-17 for installation. The lock washer is also 7/16 inch. Part #5-8 is the correct washer for this application.

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Does Trailer Lighting Ground Through the Hitch Ball

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