Wiring a Trailer with Lights that Have Individual Ground Wires

Updated 02/10/2010 | Published 02/09/2010

Question:

I seem to have a dual ground system. 2005 Stratos Bass Boat trailer. Tail lights, Break lights, and Turn signals all have their own white ground wire. The running-side lights are frame ground. Do they make harnesses for these configurations, or do I have to splice two together to re-wire my trailer?

asked by: Joe B

Expert Reply:

You will be just fine with the lights on your trailer that have their own ground wires. Attach the ground wires for each light to the trailer frame, and make sure that the ground wire at the coupler is grounded to the frame. This way the ground system is through the trailer frame and the wiring is grounded as closely to each light as possible. Make sure when grounding the lights that you ground them to the frame itself and not to a bracket that is bolted to the frame. This will save you headaches later because any bolted on mounting brackets will rust from backing in and out of the water with the trailer and can cause weak ground issues.

expert reply by: Robert G