Trailer Lights

[Good_Steward]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!

I think this is probably enough said to people who use trailers on a regular basis. Today, I have questioned whether trailer lights were put on this earth as a true test of faith.

So, a couple of weeks ago, my utility trailer's lights stopped working. No big deal. Rewired, and no problems. So day before yesterday, I de-winterized my boat so I could take off yesterday for some fishing relaxation. Wrong. So, I hook the boat up yesterday. Tail lights on one side, no brake lights on either side or turn on the drivers side. Wonderful. Multi-meter says power to all sides. figure blown bulbs. Easiest place to start, anyway, or so I thought. End up purchasing new tail lights. Same problem. Nice. soooooo, I think I may have a problem with my adapter (I am lucky enough to have a 7 blade receptacle on the 4-Runner, but only 4 pin hook-ups on all my trailers) after hooking up the recently re-wired utility trailer with no lights at all. So, another trip to the parts store for a new adapter.

Same problem.

So, yet another trip to the parts store for a re-wiring kit. Trailer is re-wired - same problem. (see first line).

So, finally, pop the hood. No way I have a towing fuse problem since I have partial lights. Blown 30 amp fuse.

Yet another trip to the parts store to replace a $1 fuse (drop in the bucket to the $100 I've spent so far + gas to drive off the mountain down to the parts stores).

Lights work great! I swear, they should use trailer lights as an interrogation method, stress testing, and / or mental stability testing. Of course, by this point I would have admitted to taking the Lindbergh baby, annihilated the stress tester, and been locked up in a rubber room if those were in play.

[56FordGuy]

Ah, they're not so bad. I've had 5 trailers, done light work on all of them. Usually bad grounds, or those stupid scotch locks. Or the guys that built the trailer didn't have a clue what they were doing. All three are about equally likely.

This is why I like LED trailer lights. Brighter, faster, and far less likely to burn out.

Edited April 7, 2012 by 56FordGuy

[Good_Steward]

I've had 5 trailers, done light work on all of them.

My case in point.

[Guest drwright6]

I have a motorcycle trailer that has had 3 sets of lights in 4 years...I feel your pain.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Make sure the connection plug is clean. I wasted a week and a lot of money to find out there was some crud in the plug.

Mud dobbers are really bad about putting dirt in places that drive you crazy.

Dolomite

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

I think we invented new cusswords that week..

[dats82]

I am with you man. Trailer lights could make a preacher cuss.

[Timestepper]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!

I think this is probably enough said to people who use trailers on a regular basis. Today, I have questioned whether trailer lights were put on this earth as a true test of faith.

So, a couple of weeks ago, my utility trailer's lights stopped working. No big deal. Rewired, and no problems. So day before yesterday, I de-winterized my boat so I could take off yesterday for some fishing relaxation. Wrong. So, I hook the boat up yesterday. Tail lights on one side, no brake lights on either side or turn on the drivers side. Wonderful. Multi-meter says power to all sides. figure blown bulbs. Easiest place to start, anyway, or so I thought. End up purchasing new tail lights. Same problem. Nice. soooooo, I think I may have a problem with my adapter (I am lucky enough to have a 7 blade receptacle on the 4-Runner, but only 4 pin hook-ups on all my trailers) after hooking up the recently re-wired utility trailer with no lights at all. So, another trip to the parts store for a new adapter.

Same problem.

So, yet another trip to the parts store for a re-wiring kit. Trailer is re-wired - same problem. (see first line).

So, finally, pop the hood. No way I have a towing fuse problem since I have partial lights. Blown 30 amp fuse.

Yet another trip to the parts store to replace a $1 fuse (drop in the bucket to the $100 I've spent so far + gas to drive off the mountain down to the parts stores).

Lights work great! I swear, they should use trailer lights as an interrogation method, stress testing, and / or mental stability testing. Of course, by this point I would have admitted to taking the Lindbergh baby, annihilated the stress tester, and been locked up in a rubber room if those were in play.

Look at it this way: Buy another fuse to put in your glove box and you now have a complete set of damn near everything for the next time something actually goes bad or you need to wire up a new trailer.

[Good_Steward]

Look at it this way: Buy another fuse to put in your glove box and you now have a complete set of damn near everything for the next time something actually goes bad or you need to wire up a new trailer.

Done and done. I could (and probably will) rewire about a dozen trailers with the spare parts I now have. Again.

Then - turn on the boat lights to check for night fishing - stern light doesn't work (corroded toggle switch). Thankfully, I had several extra toggle switches, and only a few seconds to repair.

Edited April 8, 2012 by Good_Steward

[peejman]

Trailer lights? Who needs trailer lights? This is Tennessee....

[TripleDigitRide]

Just purchased a brand new utility trailer a few days ago. Hopefully this isn't an issue I'll have to deal with anytime soon.

[10-Ring]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has this issue. Those things are cursed for sure.

I am with you man. Trailer lights could make a preacher cuss.

That reminded me of a funny joke...

Little Johnny has a used lawnmower for sale. The preacher down the road buys it from him and takes it home. A little while later the preacher comes back down to Little Johnny's house and says "Johnny, I can't get that old lawn mower to start, I think you sold me a piece of junk." Johnny replies "Oh no preacher, it's a good mower, you just have to give it a good cussin to get it started." "A good cussin'?" says the preacher "Why I haven't cursed in 25 years." Johnny just replied "Keep on pullin' that rope, it'll come back to you."

[hornett22]

Yep,usually grounds or those asinine scotch locks. BUlbs are all crap now. Even the HD ones.