Need help re-wiring my trailer!

[Biggems]

Hey everybody. My Fiance and I just got a 99 Durango that with a class III hitch on it. The electrical connection on it is different than that which is currently on my trailer though. The end on my trailer is the 4 prong. (flat, one next to the other) However the connection to the truck is the big round one. (forgive the lack of technical terms).

Last season the lights on the trailer were very hit or miss. So I would like to re-wire the entire thing anyways before taking her out this season.

Basicaly I need to know how to do this. I have a basic understanding of electricity and wires but have never re-wired a trailer before. If you guys could provide instructions of some sort or even tips and hints, that would be great.

Also, Do i need to buy a seperate device so that the turn signals will work?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

they is a very simple adapter you plug into you round plug and the 4 prong plus into it. nothing to change. $10.00. http://www.autoaccessconnect.com/veandtrwiac.html

 

[Biggems]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

Thanks, I'll deff. look into that.

But I think I would still like to re-wire the trailer. I dont think it was done very well by whoever had it before me. For example, both rear lights work, but when I hit the brakes, the right light goes out. and neither turn signals work.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

rad this: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=297973

and this: http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm

 

[thepotroast]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

Just buy the adapter for the plug. This is what you're talking about I assume:

It's a 7-way RV to 4-wire flat. They are $10 from pretty much any store from Walmart, Boaters World (where that pic came from), Harbor Freight, etc.

I use one on my SUV which has a factory towing package as well, with the 7-way RV plug, to hook to my boat trailer and utility trailer. I believe I bought mine at WalMart, and it has little LED lights next to the wire posts to show a completed circuit when you're testing your lights.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

ok so I'll buy the adapter and that will fix that.

Now it sounds like I need to ground each wire seperately? How exactly would I do that?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

ok so I'll buy the adapter and that will fix that.

Now it sounds like I need to ground each wire seperately? How exactly would I do that?

Nope.

The white wire in your trailer bundle is the ground wire...make a good connection to the trailer frame.

The mounting studs on the lights provide their ground...so make sure that the light fixture nuts are clean, and making good contact to the mounting bracket(s) for the lights. If there is any corrosion, or paint, under the lock washers for the light mounting nuts, clean that area!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

yeah, ^^ works till something starts to rust. you can take a separate wire, tie it into the white wire on the harness, and run it to the mounting bolts of every light, this is the ground, and you do no have to depend on a rusty trailer to be the ground. you can run one wire down each side of the trailer, and tie them into the white wire also.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

ok thanks everybody. So once everything is properly grounded, that will make the turn signals work? and the right light will stop going out when I hit the breaks?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

99% sure.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

ok thanks everybody. So once everything is properly grounded, that will make the turn signals work? and the right light will stop going out when I hit the breaks?

The 'missing' right brake light, for sure.

You'll just have to see about the turn signals....

 

[dingbat]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

If you go the adaptor route over a straight conversion to a 7 pin setup consider removing it while out on the water. They have been known to grow legs around here.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

haha will do thanks.

Thanks everybody. I'll advise if that works once I get a chance to try it out!

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

You can buy the whole wiring kit from Walmart. It comes with new tail lights and all the wiring, connectors and wire holders you need. I did it that way for a jon boat trailer. It worked perfect for me.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

Any idea how much that all is? I might just do that.

Thanks!

 

[thepotroast]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

Any idea how much that all is? I might just do that.

Thanks!

A trailer light kit is around $20...maybe cheaper at Walmart. While you're there, you can get the adapter we mentioned above for $10.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10086716

This is the only one I could find. My only question is, this doesnt come with the side (amber) marker lights that my trailer currently has (those work fine). so would I need to take those out? or how do I keep them?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10086716

This is the only one I could find. My only question is, this doesnt come with the side (amber) marker lights that my trailer currently has (those work fine). so would I need to take those out? or how do I keep them?

Just splice the side markers to the brown wire(s) running to the tail lights. You can use a 3M splicer, in a pinch...you can get these at any auto parts store.


http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=082-145

 

[Biggems]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

Sweet thanks. I'll most likely do this tomorrow. It's supposed to get up to
69F tomorrow here!!

 

[haskindm]

Re: Need help re-wiring my trailer!

If the Durango has amber rear direction signals you will also need an adapter that allows the red direction signals on your trailer to work. If the Durango has a towing package the may already be installed, otherwise you will need one. That is ONLY if your Durango has amber rear direction signals. Here is a link to one supplier. http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.prodInfo&productID=4992&categoryID=209