How to Extend Short Ground Wire on 4-Pole Wishbone Harness

Updated 03/21/2019 | Published 03/20/2019

Products Featured in This Question

35 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 42" Ground

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Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.

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Mighty Cord 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector - Wishbone Style - Trailer End - 25' Long

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20 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 30" Ground

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10 Gauge Wire - Red Primary - Per Foot

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Ring Terminal - 12-10 Gauge Wire - 3/8" Ring ID

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Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 5

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4-Flat Connector Wishbone Style - Trailer End

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Question:

Do you have a 4 wire wishbone trailer wiring kit that has a ground that runs the full length of the kit? Grounding seems to be one of the biggest issues so why not have a kit that the ground goes full length?

asked by: Doug

Expert Reply:

Wishbone 4-pole harnesses like # A35W42B, # A20WB, # W002230 and # A10-4225VP usually do have a short ground wire because most trailer frames are steel and they conduct well enough that a ground wire attached near the tongue will provide sufficient ground even for lights mounted all the way at the back of the trailer.

On the other hand if you have an aluminum frame trailer that does NOT conduct electricity nearly as well as a steel frame then you might need to extend that 2- or 3-foot ground wire back to where most of the lights are mounted to provide a wired grounding point. This can be done easily enough by connecting a length of wire like # DW02508-1 using but connectors like # DW05745-5. You can secure all the individual ground wires to the main ground by putting ring terminals # DW05705-1 on all of the wires and attaching them together at one point.

Dielectric grease like # 11755 applied to the ground point and ring terminals will help prevent corrosion and you can also use it on light bulbs and sockets to prevent corrosion there too.