Troubleshooting Trailer Running Light Circuit that Gets Hot

Question

Question:

Hello,Could you tell me what might be making the pin on my trailer plug for my trailer tail lights and running lights get hot. I can see where the plastic on the male and female sides have been hot. I cleaned the connections a few times but now everything works except the tail lights and running lights. If I bypass the plugs the lights work fine. This has happened many times over the past few years. Help ! Thanks

asked by: Bill W

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Expert Reply:

If a trailer wiring circuit is getting hot that means it's either over drawing or there's a short on the circuit. Since this is the trailer wiring circuit and you've already tried cleaning up the wiring it's most likely that the circuit is trying to draw more than it can provide. One way to reduce the load on the circuit is to convert some of the taillights to LED which only draw a fraction of the amperage as incandescent bulbs.

I attached a link to a page that has all of the trailer taillights we offer that are LED for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

It is very unusual for 4-pole trailer wiring to get hot enough to melt the 4-pole plug. This wiring format carries only basic lighting signals, no trailer brake power, no reverse lights and no auxiliary 12V power. It would be much more common for an…

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Answer 2

The lights don't have voltage or amperage regulators so it could potentially be an issue. However, I am in the minority around here about whether or not it would be a problem. Most others are certain that it would not be a problem so majority…

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 5

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 6

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 7

Hi Steve; the factory hitch on the 2013 Tacoma has the bumper brackets integrated into the hitch. You can replace it with the etrailer Trailer Hitch #e98850 but you will have to remove the old hitch and find new bumper brackets to complete the…

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Answer 8

Sure, I can help with that. I can see why the fitment notes are confusing. For a 2012 Toyota Tundra with the factory tow package and factory 7 way connector, you'll want a brake controller that plugs into the factory brake controller port under…

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Answer 9

Both the Curt Class III Trailer Hitch #13323 and the Draw-Tite Class III Trailer Hitch #75236 would work well for you. These Class III trailer hitches have a 2 inch receiver, 5,000 pound max towing weight and 500 pound max tongue weight. For…

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Troubleshooting Trailer Running Light Circuit that Gets Hot

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