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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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 3

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 4

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 5

Each lamp needs to be grounded either through its mounting studs being in direct contact with the trailer frame or by having a jumper wire ran from the lamp to the trailer frame. Ground the trailer connector at the front of the trailer, which will…

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Answer 6

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 7

We have exactly what you are looking for. The disc brake version of your current Titan Model 60 is part #DM62VR. This actuator fits a 3 inch wide channel, and has a maximum weight capacity of 7,000 lbs. The coupler is compatible with 1-7/8, 2 inch of…

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Answer 8

Is your trailer sitting as level as possible? Sounds like it could be sitting possibly nose high and combined maybe with a bit of play in the ball mount is creating the slamming you are experiencing. It's also possible your surge actuator has a…

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Answer 9

We do have a 7k disc brake surge actuator that fits a 2 inch ball with the Demco part #DM62VR which will easily fit in place of what you have now. It's not a Titan but the Demco actuators are super solid

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Answer 10

The Fulton A60 Surge Brake Actuator is obsolete so you'll need to replace the entre unit for which I recommend using the Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator part #DM72VR for drum or part #DM62VR for disc. The Demco actuator has a 7,000 lb rating which…

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Answer 11

I really wish there was a cheap and easy way to lock out a Titan model 60 actuator but the only way would be with an electric lock out like the part #T4748800. This threads onto the back of your current actuator and once ran to the reverse light…

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Answer 12

Hey Matt, running a ground wire from the junction box to the frame of the trailer won't hurt anything and can only really help. The ground of the box should be running to the ground circuit of the 7-way connector it is attached to. If the lights…

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Does Trailer Lighting Ground Through the Hitch Ball

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