Separating Brake and Turn Signals, Adding a Reverse Light, and Ramp Door Support for a Trailer

Updated 12/03/2013 | Published 11/30/2013

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Question:

I have a new Sundowner GN cargo trailer. Power will be a 2001 GMC K3500. How do I wire back into the corner junction boxes on each side for the new light not to cycle on with the brake light? This trailer has the corrugated siding on the lower half of the body. Which surface mount light do you recommend, STL90AB or M353A? Any suggestion for a top of rear surface mount backup light? Trailer has a full ramp door. Any suggestion to beef up the cushioning at the top of the door when it is on the ground. Three rubber hockey pucks on the door now. Need more protection. Thanks!

asked by: Doug B

Helpful Expert Reply:

First, trailers in the US use what is called a combined 2-wire system. The brake lights and turn signals are on the same circuit on each side. The turn signal overrides the brake light on the side blinking. In order to have separate turn signals you would need additional amber turn signals and you would need to do some rewiring.

On the trailer side you would need to install a special converter, # 118158. The combined left turn/brake wire connects to the yellow input wire, right turn and brake go to the green input wire. The unit grounds to the trailer frame. On the output side the yellow wire will be left turn only and will need to go to a new turn signal. Green will be right turn only. Red will be brake lights only and will go to the two regular tail lights.

If you have a larger trailer then the larger round light # STL90AB would be the way to go.

For a reverse light and for the location you want there is probably not a lot of space. While not technically a backup light something like # BUL69CB could work for you. You would also need base # A69CB.

For ramp door protection you need a bumper that runs the width of the door so it is supported across the entire width. Take a look at bumper # D2-96. This bumper is 96 inches long and can be trimmed to the length you need. It is also pre-drilled and ready for installation with the appropriate hardware for the surface it will be attached to. It will stick out from the door surface 2 inches.

For a larger one we have # D3-96. It is also 96 inches long but is taller at 3 inches. And then there is # D4-96 at almost 4 inches tall.