Can Trailer Circuits Ground Correctly When a Greaseless Ball is Used

Published 04/15/2014

Question:

How do you get electrical grounding for trailer lights, when you have a greaseless ball?

asked by: Kevin F

Expert Reply:

Trailers that are grounding through the hitch ball are not grounding correctly. There is a ground circuit on trailer wiring that is supposed to be grounding all of the electronics of the trailer.

Do some trailer still ground through the hitch and ball mount? Yes, but that's not how they should be grounding. If you've ever seen a trailer that the taillights flicker when they hit bumps its usually because the lights are grounding through the frame and hitch and when the coupler of the trailer momentarily loses contact with the hitch ball the lights flicker.

Typically the ground circuit from the trailer connector is run to the trailer frame, and then most light assemblies are grounded to the trailer frame as well.

The Rapid Hitch Ball Mount part # AM3405 that you referenced is also made of aluminum, which is not the greatest conductor. So its very important that your trailer wiring is in good condition, especially the ground circuit.

I attached an FAQ on trailer wiring for you to check out also.

expert reply by: Jameson C