Can Trailer Lights Activate without a Ground Wire on the Connectors

Published 02/27/2018

Question:

Saw this tab somone else asked the question why do my trailer lights go out when I apply the brakes it seemed to be the white ground. As I was reading you said to make sure your grounds touch bare metal. On a diagram you guys provide shows the ground running out of your vehicle and another in the front of the trailer. the ground wire does not come out of my vehicle at all nor a ground wire in the front of my trailer. But there is a white ground on the back of the trailer should I assume thats the ground wire for the trailer and should I have a white wire from my vehicles wiring harness that should touch metal? Thanks in advance I hope I was able to cover everything any questions feel free to ask

asked by: Chuck T

Expert Reply:

What type of trailer wiring connector do you have? The ground circuit of the trailer connector most likely runs to the frame of the trailer and then all of your trailer lights then run to frame as well and the ground circuit is completed through the frame to the trailer connector.

In some cases a ground can transfer from the frame of the trailer to the hitch of the tow vehicle, but that's not ideal and you'd want the ground to go through the wiring.

expert reply by: Jameson C