Thread: Trailer Lights change to LED or not

I continually had issues with my trailer lights. It probably wasn't six months I started having to work on my trailer lights on a new trailer. It seemed like 99% of all my problems seemed to involve a ground wire connection to the trailer frame.

Back in July of 2009 I had LED lights put on my trailer. I also had them completely rewire the trailer and had them add a third ground wire to connect to each light just as the hot wires did. I also ask them to have plenty of extra wire length tucked in at each light so that it would be easier for me to replace or repair any of the lights if needed.

Its been three years and I have not had one issue with my trailer lights since putting new LED lights and wiring on my trailer. Knock on some wood here. I really think the third ground wire is what really helped here but with my LED lights I never unplug them while launching or loading out the boat.

As you can probably tell I just love those LED lights and all I can say is go for it and you'll love it also. I still haven't found out if they were generous in leaving plenty or wire tucked in at each light. I am sure I will be finding out one of these day but so far so good.

Thank you LBM for you input never thought about grounding each light that is a teriffic idea and I am planning to
change them in the near future when the weather gets cooler.

Thanks again
Mat

Like LBM, I had a lot of on-going trailer light problems on a new trailer. All the problems were related to bad grounds and water in the lights (even though they were supposedly sealed). I ran a dedicated ground wire from the connection at the front of the trailer to each individual light and also put on LEDS. Been 4 years now and I've not had any problems since.

I don't know why trailer makers don't wire each light directly to ground instead of relying on a connection to the trailer for the ground. Hope this helps.

Worth every penny.Have not had a problem with them in 4 years.

was it the lights or the not using the frame as ground?
I would love to upgrade my lights..but the 2002 vintage lights keep working..yep all wires run to the connector..the frame isn't used as the ground wire. yes it dunked in both fresh and saltwater..

sucks..maybe it means I need to use my boat more ..

-dkenny

LED is the way to go, you won't regret it. No more cracked capsules leading to bulbs blowing out, less power draw, less heat, brighter, and much longer service life; what's not to like.

Plenty of problems with regular lights...none with the LED's.

Love my LEDs neighbor followed me back from the lake one night and next day came up and had me get them for his trailer. Ground, ground and ground again.