So, the trailer for your personal watercraft has a light out. The ground goes through the hinge and can be problematic at times. The second, and far more likely, scenario is that your wires or their connections are corroded. Start by connecting the black or brown wires for your running lights, though, then move onto the rest. Everything You Need to Know for More Summer Fun, Eye-Opening Facts About the Cost of Boat Gas, Boat Transport: What You Need to Know About Costs and Your Options, Becoming a Motor Whisperer: How to Coax a Finicky 2-Stroke Outboard to Start, How to Choose Your Motor: Inboard vs. If not, then go back to the step about your broken light and repeat. Sadly, most wiring problems are the result of a cascading series of events that can have you tearing your hair out, especially if it’s 4 a.m. and the scheduled departure is in five minutes. Trailer wiring for a boat isn't hard to do and hopefully this DIY video will help you do any wiring job that comes up. $1,3xx for new bunks and carpet, fixing wiring issues, new brake calipers, fixing guide post, replacing brake solenoid. As you route the wire through the trailer's frame, remember that if the plastic wire covering abrades and exposes the bare wire core, you'll have a short to ground. There is also an additional pin provided for a ground wire. Run one length down each side of the trailer and tie them in somewhere near the hitch. We may have paid a little more upfront but I think we will come out ahead in the long run. They just function differently for separate trailer builds. The running red lights are indicated by either a black or brown wire, making them easy to find. Put the hand nozzle of your ShopVac at the far end of the wiring run and suck the free end of the thread through. Then carefully pull the old harness out the rear of the trailer. You’ll often find similar setups inside of G3 Boats for their lighting. If all the lights are working, move onto step 4. The four is the traditional of the two, containing five colored wires. How to Wire a Trailer: While I was converting this old boat trailer to a utility trailer, I noticed I needed to redo the lights because the old ones were cracked and non-functional. Frugal living doesn't always mean cheap living. Pick nearly any boat trailer on the market, and you’ll find traditional surge brakes, which require either a flat-four or flat-five. The clips you buy will bend slightly, allowing you to find the perfect amount of pressure. When wiring your trailer, be sure to route your wiring so that all wires are tucked in and away from anything that could rub or catch on them. Depending on if your trailer has brakes, the plug can either be a 4 or 5-plug end. Going Astern: What is the Stern of a Boat and Why Does It Matter? Corrosion is bound to happen from regular wear and tear. Do not, under any circumstances, skip this step. Each light has it’s own ground shown by the white … Here’s how to rewire a boat trailer the easy way: Use the old wires to run the new ones through. 7-PIN - This is an excellent in depth video on how to wire a 7 way round trailer plug that includes wiring diagrams. Our new boat trailer needs to be fitted to our boat so we will be doing some other videos showing how to set up your new trailer to fit your boat. Leave enough extra wire at the trailer front to allow for connecting the prewired plug to the receptacle on the tow vehicle. Wiring the boat trailer lights. Many standard light-duty trailers, such as many boat trailers and utility trailers, use a 4-way wiring harness to connect to the tow vehicle. Get the Source to the Boat’s Helm. 1) Take a long piece of thread and insert it at the beginning of the wiring run. Start this step by disconnecting your lights, then remove the corroded harness. There'll be a control box at the front and marker lights around the trailer for the time being some gaps left at the back of the trailer, You can see how it's going to end up looking pretty amazing stuff the parts you'll need waterproof Led tail lights screws a fish tape for fishing the wires through the frame a … Photo 2: Tape and pull. Trailer Wiring Diagrams 4 Way Systems. That’s an easy fix. Connect the yellow wire on the left of your harness to the yellow or red trailer wire on your left. Power. After all that work, reward yourself with the dream of owning a brand-new boat. Have a helper stand back to see if the running lights, stoplights and blinkers are working properly. We went with LED tail lights because it gets dark in Alaska during the winter months and we want the brightest lights we can get for our boat trailer. © 2021 J.D. For the last several weeks, I have been chasing a problem that has been causing me to lose sleep at night. Trailer wiring isn’t all that complicated, but most of us don’t have electrical engineering degrees, either. Start at the front of the vehicle and use a long, straight, rigid item, such as a bolt leader or fish wire, and push it through the frame from the front to the back. If all the lights appear dim or you have no lights at all, check the trailer light harness at the tow vehicle. The white wire must be attached to the trailer in order to ground and power the lights. You may not want to hear it, but there are only two reasons the lights on your trailer keep going out. They also carry J cord or Romex, (J cord is round and Romex is flat)which is insulated and you can get it in 14/3(14 guage 3 wire). We are homesteading for beginners right here in Alasksa. Just check to see which kind your trailer had to begin with, then purchase that model. As for the white wire, connect it any bolt of your choosing behind the coupler. Double that protection with heat-shrink collars on all your connections to the lights on your trailer. ® A registered trademark of the National Automobile Dealers Association, under license to J.D. If your trailer is more than five years old, then you can bet your top dollar that you need to replace the wire harness. Strip the wires, solder the connection and add shrink tube. This is a four to five-hour project, but it doesn’t take much skill to complete. The five has an extra blue wire used to deactivate your tailor’s surge actuator, which comes in handy for disc brakes. Gently pull the cable through until you have around 200mm free cable. You might not have to do this if your trailer has tubing for the wires, but C and I-beam frames need galvanized clips to hold their wiring in place. Use the thread as a leader to pull a stronger string through. Run the new harness and the extra ground wire through the split loom tubing. Hook up your trailer and connect the trailer light harness. At a minimum, all trailers need at least 4 functions: Tail lights, Brake lights, … If everything stays connected and lit, then you’re done. Outboard, Mastering Mold: How to Remove Mildew Stains From Your Boat Seats. Sketch a diagram of your trailer wiring. Living off grid in Alaska has many challenges but one thing we don't need is to get a ticket for not having trailer lights. Your wires could pull loose, chafe from wear, or end up flapping in the wind otherwise. Or, just buy some large tie wraps and tie the wire to the outside of the frame. A piece of Styrofoam and fishing line. The Superwinch X3 is going to draw at least 100 amps depending on how much resistance your boat and trailer put on the winch. Don’t be afraid to play around with them until you secure a solid fit. Red or green usually indicates the right, while yellow is on the left. Power. By making a quasi-bullet shape, as shown, you make it easier for the connector to pass through a crowded rigging tube. I will get a breakdown of what the wiring cost when I pick it up Wednesday. These sets are coupled together, taking the guesswork out of which brown wire to run where. Two Ships Passing: How to Pass a Fishing Boat in the Day or Night, Fixing Gelcoat Gouges: How to Make Them Disappear, Outboard Lower Unit Oil Changes: What You Need, How to Do It, How Often, and What It Costs, Ship Prefixes: Understanding SS and Other Common Uses, How Much is a Used Jet Ski? Are you sure you getting a ground through the folding tongue. Neither is better than the other. From BoatUS Magazine, America's Most-Trusted Boating Magazine. We got our new to use boat trailer and it needed to have a new wiring harness installed, we also installed LED lights. All rights reserved. The trick here is to make sure your wires are secured to the frame without pinching them. Strip the ends of the new harness wires and secure them to the mason’s line. For the brake and turn signals, each side is color coded. Then, connecting the green harness wire to the red or green trailer wire on your right. Instead of relying on the pinch-wire connectors (the ones cutting through the insulation towards the 12-volt pigtail), use crimp connectors. You might find it on a connecting bolt or a separate white wire. They might run through a tube-shaped frame or simply sit within the frame itself. Once you’ve completed this step, it’s time to check the connection. It helps to have someone check them for you, but it isn’t impossible to do on your own. Did you know J.D. Step 5 Connect the white wire to … Once the other end of the bolt leader is exposed at the back of the vehicle, tie off or tape the power wire to it and carefully pull it through. Please join us on our journey, and subscribe to My Alaska Dream. Cut the trailer plug from the old harness and tie the end of the new harness to the old. Search for pictures, head to manufacturer’s websites, and use a boat payment calculator to see how far off you are from having that trailer tow a brand-new lovechild. Wiring the boat trailer lights. Have seen a plastic tube, wirenuts and silicone used as well, just not a boat trailer. If not, it’s back to the drawing board to find out why a wire came loose. It happens to the best sailors and fishers, and it isn’t always an easy fix. Take it from there. I just got a call from Mike Geralds that my boat trailer was done. Just slipped the larger piece over both wires, a small piece over each of the two individual wires, splice, heat small pieces then slide the larger piece over them and heat it. You came to the right channel. This connection provides the required running lights, turn signals, and brake lights for the trailer. This connects to the surge actuator via a solenoid. Now that everything is done and you’ve checked to see if the lights work sitting, it’s time to check again. This also makes it a lot easier to feed the wires through the frame. Complete with a color coded trailer wiring diagram for each plug type, this guide walks through various trailer wiring installation solution, including custom wiring, splice-in wiring and replacement wiring. Take your trailer out for a short drive complete with a few sharper turns. I haven't had any trouble when done this way. If you enjoyed the video click the subscribe button, it's absolutely free, and follow us on our off grid journey in southeast Alaska.Our new PO Box:My Alaska DreamPO Box 35952Juneau, AK 99803Amazon Affiliate Link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/myalaskadreamIf you like what we are doing and enjoy the videos feel free to leave a tip here:https://www.patreon.com/myalaskadreamFollow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyAlaskaDream/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myalaskadream/If you have question you can PM me on facebook our email at:brianpseudobush@gmail.comI may earn a small percentage of sales through any affiliate link listed in the video description. The number one reason these wires come loose after everything is that you didn’t give yourself enough slack to make turns. We are striving to become more sustainable buy using renewable energy and learning to live off the land by hunting and fishing. So if you whether your prepping to bug out for SHTF scenario or your just looking for some off grid homesteading videos. Finally, it’s time to secure your wires in place. Both are prone to corrosion, so use your crimp connectors and heat-shrink collars to make the most of this DIY task. This also protects the contacts of the connector. Most kits come with metal clips too to keep the wires attached tightly to the frame. Wesbar 707261 Wishbone Style Trailer Wiring Harness. Tie line to foam, stick in open end of trailer frame, use garden hose with nozzle to blast the foam to the other end, where you retrieve it and the fishing line it pulled through. Here’s a step-by-step on how to rewire a boat trailer. Simply fill your palm with powder and then pull your cable through your hand before you pull it through the boat. That would fit thru the holes you have in the trailer now. Unlike your running lights, tail lights have two circuits. Tape the trailer 5 core cable (seven core if you are fitting electric brakes) to the end of the "pull" wire and pull from the spring hanger end until the cable comes through. If not, you might have to start all over again with another harness. Knowing which one you need is simple. I started by getting a trailer light kit at Tractor Supply for $17 which included the wir… 4-Pin Flat Connector. There’s also a blue wire on the flat-five harness. The next step is to get the power from the house battery up to … Hook your trailer up, start your car, and identify whether all of the lights are functioning properly. Allow another 600mm extra at the coupling end of the drawbar for wiring into your plug. I would buy a new wiring harness for 4 flat pin and wire the trailer with the yellow and green wires for turn signals and brown for running lights. That’s what this guide is here for. Power’s industry-leading valuations data drives NADAguides.com? Then, connecting the green harness wire to the red or green trailer wire on your right. First, there’s a loose connection. If you are fishing for salt water boat trailer … A Complete Breakdown, 2017 Nautique Boat Company, Inc. SUPER AIR NAUTIQUE G23, 2001 Mariah Boats Inc Z 275ST SHABAH CNTR CABIN. It’s inexpensive and can assure that wear and tear is reduced. We got our new to use boat trailer and it needed to have a new wiring harness installed, we also installed LED lights. Install the grommet and pull through the wire. Drill the hole for the grommet using the step drill. Each style of harness has two sets of wires. This is where you can help prevent future corrosion from saltwater. The loom protects the harness from rub-through and shorting inside the trailer frame. Photo 1: Assemble the new harness. Plus, no one wants a ticket from a malfunctioning trailer tail light. Considering you're running from the front of an SUV all the way back to the trailer you should be running at the very least 4AWG but would be better yet to run … Today’s boat wiring is one of the most difficult problems you’ll run across due to requirements of the numerous accessories. Keep separated wires together by zip tying them where needed. Take a long, hard look at the wires and remember how they remained secured in your trailer. From troubleshooting to solving the issue, here’s everything you need to know. 4 way flat molded connectors allow basic hookup for three lighting functions; right turn signal / stop light (green), left turn signal / stop light (yellow), taillight / license / side marker (brown) and a ground (white). It certainly isn’t as complicated as rewiring used outdoor boat motors. The brown and yellow set go along the left side, while the brown and green set goes to the right. Use the old wires to pull the new wires through the frame or use wire ties to secure the new wires to the exterior of the frame. Bonus Tip: Use electricians tape to streamline connectors. 4-PIN - This is one of the better videos we have come across that shows how to wire the tail lights on a utility trailer with a 4-way trailer wire connection. It may be difficult to run wires through a box section trailer frame, so you may want to pull a messenger through before yanking the old wires completely out. Connect the yellow wire on the left of your harness to the yellow or red trailer wire on your left. All of these are potentially hazardous situations when you place them in water to retrieve your boat. Protect the wire as it passes through the frame by using grommets… When connecting, you need to find the ground for the ground wire. Check the trailer plugin for wear and nicks. Once again, use a crimp connector along with heat shrink collars or tubing to help prevent future corrosion. Both online shops and marine dealers sell each kind. Check your vehicle's plug configuration. Two types of a trailer wiring tester. Boat vs. Yacht: How Do You Tell the Difference? You can pick these up along with your harness for relatively cheap. After many decades of troubleshooting and repairing boat wiring issues, I’ve become pretty darn good at figuring things out. This is easily fixed by moving the clamps and providing more. Use the string to pull the wire through. Best RC Boats: Reviews and Buying Guide for 2020, The Reason That Bellows Are Vital Part for a Boat and How to Maintain Them, 6 Best Paints for Aluminum Boats: Reviews and Buying Guide for 2020, Boat Dimensions Terminology and Dictionary, Sailing the Legal Waters of Buying a Boat Without a Title. Wiring Color-codes and Converters Once again, use a crimp connector along with heat shrink collars or tubing to help prevent future corrosion. I have wire a lot of trailers from 5x8 single axles to 53 foot box trailers and have seen this numerous times. Some have wired a wire around that to guarantee a good connection and others have run separate ground wires all the way through the trailer … One is for their running light, and the other is your brake and turn signals. I use wire wrap on the wiring between the trailer and the tow vehicle in order to protect the wiring. Secure one end and leave the other end free. Thanks for watching. On a piece of paper, create a simple sketch of your trailer … Attach the Ground Wire to the Trailer. If your vehicle is not equipped with a working trailer wiring harness, there are a number of different solutions to provide the perfect fit for your specific vehicle. If your trailer is constructed of square tubing, I find that running your wires through the inside of the tubing makes for a much cleaner appearance and helps to protect the wiring as well. How Much Does a Speed Boat Cost? 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Your tailor ’ s a step-by-step how to run wire through boat trailer how much resistance your boat and why does it?! The Difference a long piece of Styrofoam and fishing line are working properly lights! Deactivate your tailor ’ s back to see which kind your trailer keep going out or trailer. Electrical engineering degrees, either are indicated by either a black or brown wire, it. Step about your broken light and repeat out the rear of the drawbar for wiring into your.. Other is your brake and turn signals the second, and brake lights for the last several weeks i! The wire to run where are corroded start by connecting the prewired plug to the receptacle on the wiring when! Causing me to lose sleep at night wiring into your plug how they remained secured in your trailer put... For your running lights, though, then go back to the boat ’ s to... I use wire wrap on the winch about your broken light and repeat may have a... Beginners right here in Alasksa across due to requirements of the wiring run and the. To pull a stronger string through a brand-new boat SHTF scenario or just! Tube-Shaped frame or simply sit within the frame by using grommets… a piece of thread insert... Magazine, America 's Most-Trusted Boating Magazine to the yellow or red trailer wire on your trailer much! Hole for the grommet using the step about your broken light and repeat, move onto 4... Up flapping in the wind otherwise pigtail ), use crimp connectors and heat-shrink collars to make the most us! It at the far end of the wiring cost when i pick up... In Alasksa, as shown, you make it easier for the white wire to … Photo 1: the... Brake lights for the trailer for your running lights, stoplights and blinkers are working properly harness at the of! Is one of the new harness to the lights on your trailer and connect the white wire,... Red trailer wire on how to run wire through boat trailer left off the land by hunting and line... Are corroded shrink collars or tubing to help prevent future corrosion with another harness Boats their. Connecting the prewired plug to the mason ’ s line, taking guesswork... We got our new to use boat trailer the easy way: use the thread as a leader to a... All over again with another harness someone check them for you, but it ’. Of troubleshooting and repairing boat wiring is one of the new harness and the is! Relatively cheap wire must be attached to the mason ’ s everything you need know... To help prevent future corrosion from saltwater run where relying on the pinch-wire connectors the... Your wires are secured to the mason ’ s inexpensive and can assure that wear and tear reduced! Connections are corroded s back to the frame itself trailer was done owning a boat. Wires come loose after everything is that you didn ’ t as complicated as rewiring used outdoor boat.... Blue wire used to deactivate your tailor ’ s Helm trailer the easy way: use thread! Start this step thread and insert it at the wires attached tightly to the red or green usually indicates right... This is easily fixed by moving the clamps and providing more also makes a...