Recommended Wiring and Lights for Utility Trailer

Updated 04/28/2022 | Published 02/10/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins Endurance 4-Way Flat Trailer Wiring Harness - 30' Long

(28)

$25.00

18 Gauge, 3 Conductor Bonded Parallel Wire - Per Foot

(9)

$0.91

LED Trailer License Plate Light - Submersible - 3 Diodes - Clear Lens - Black Housing

(322)

$16.79

LED Clearance or Side Marker Trailer Light w/ Reflector - 1 Diode - Black Base - Amber Lens

(4181)

$7.00

Optronics Streamline LED Trailer Tail Light - Submersible - 3 Function - 11 Diodes - Red Lens

(359)

$24.60

Self-Stripping Connector with Waterproof Sealant - 14-18 Gauge - White and Blue - Qty 1

(39)

$2.64

18-Gauge 2-Wire Bonded Parallel Conductor Wire - per Foot

(3)

$0.71

Optronics LED Combination Trailer Tail Lights - Submersible - 40 Diodes - Driver and Passenger Side

(3275)

$55.83

Question:

I have another question that you may be able to help me with. We wired this trailer a few years back and we used the blue snap connectors for the running lights. Well, these are not water proof and I experiences a lot of wire corrosion. I did some 'patch work', but it is time to rewire the trailer and I want to make sure the wiring system is as water tight as possible. Glossing through your website I see that there are many options for lights and many price points. I also see a lot of the kits utilize the same blue taillight connectors that caused me a lot of issues. Maybe you could provide some direction or point me in the right direction. I did replace the running lights with some cheaper LEDs and soldered them and used the silicon shrink wrap, but the whole system needs to be replaced. Probably looking to stay with the LEDs. Anyway, here are my specs on the trailer to give you an idea what I have. . The trailer was a boat trailer that we converted into a rectangular shaped quad & utility trailer. . 4 pin connection . 18' 4" from tongue to taillights . 74 inches wide on the deck . 93 inches wide from the tire fenders . Wiring runs through the framing . 2 yellow running lights (1 on each side) on the tongue . 2 yellow running lights (1 on each side) on the front of the fenders . 2 orange running lights (1 on each side) on the rear of the fenders . 2 rectangular tail/brake lights. 8 x 3 inches . License plate light . 3 bulb light on the back center of the trailer Water deterioration seems to be my biggest issue. Looking to do a quality replacement & a reasonable cost. Your products run a wide range of pricing, which is good.

asked by: Rob D

Helpful Expert Reply:

I'm assuming you want to replace everything here so I will start off with a 4-way. I recommend using the Hopkins Endurance 4-Way Flat Trailer Wiring Harness - 30' Long # HM48265. This will give you a lot of wire to work with so you can hook up all of your lights.

This uses your typical 18 gauge wire for the lights and 16 gauge for the ground. If you need additional wire you can use the # SWC97FR or # DW02923-1. You could use the Self-Stripping Connector with Waterproof Sealant - 14-18 Gauge - White and Blue - Qty 1 # SWC501746-1 for connections. This uses a waterproof sealant to help keep out moisture and prevent corrosion. I'm not sure if these are the same blue connectors you previously used or not, there are definitely blue ones without the sealant.

For your lights I recommend the following:

-LED Clearance or Side Marker Trailer Light w/ Reflector - 1 Diode - Black Base - Amber Lens # MCL0032ABB (for your 6 running lights)

-LED Trailer License Plate Light - Submersible - 3 Diodes - Clear Lens - Black Housing # LPL82CBB

-Optronics LED Combination Trailer Tail Lights - Submersible - 40 Diodes - Driver and Passenger Side # TLL160RK

-Optronics Streamline LED Trailer Tail Light - Submersible - 3 Function - 11 Diodes - Red Lens # STL79RB

I have attached some review and installation videos for your reference. I also included some help articles on trailer wiring that you can check out.