Looking for advice. Packing up from Alum Creek, my left flasher which is also the brake light wouldn't work. Checked it with voltmeter. The 7-way pin is providing electric where it should for the right and left brake lights. The sockets themselves are both getting electric (11.86 volts on left side). Even so, I undid all grounds I could find, cleaned them, and reattached them. Same thing. I cleaned the plug, same thing. I switched bulbs, same thing. My right brake light/flasher light is working, and my left is not. I even took apart the socket and by hand connected the connectors inside the socket to the bulb, and it wouldn't work...but if I check it on the voltmeter, I get power. Any thoughts?
The Official Camper and Camping Thread
- Thread starter hickslawns
- Start date
Spray all the sockets down with WD40 and see if that helps. Doesn’t make sense to have voltage at the connections and at the bulb socket and not have lights... Might be a contact issue with the bulb...
Some trailer bulbs are finnicky. Touch them ever so slightly and they begin to work. Are they "standard" trailer lights like you would find on a utility trailer? If so, a set of LED lights might be an easy fix. If you don't want to go that route, ensure the metal is making good contact with the back of the bulb.
One other thought: is the light itself grounded? They often have their own ground which is connected to the bolts which hold the light onto the trailer.
One other thought: is the light itself grounded? They often have their own ground which is connected to the bolts which hold the light onto the trailer.
I’ll second the the LED upgrade. I did my boat trailer and it’s a game changer with both less issues and they’re brighter for nighttime backing in..
Thanks - I tried cleaning with WD-40, nothing. Actually, now the right back only works after I test the left back. That's happened twice in a row now (neither light works until I test the back left). I will try the LED option...
My thoughts...
You have a poor/bad ground somewhere. You should have 12+ volts at that left rear socket. Check EVERYTHING. Even try cleaning up your hitch ball with a wire brush. Are the lights grounded right to the mounting bracket? Try running a jumper wire from that directly to the trailer frame on a CLEAN spot.
Faulty bulb? Have you tried swapping bulbs from one side to the other? I would definitely recommend making the switch to LED like J and Hicks mentioned.
12-volt systems only require 3 things... Power, ground, and a good bulb/load. Usually the ground quality is the suspect. It sounds like you already know this based on the steps you've taken so far. Good luck!
You have a poor/bad ground somewhere. You should have 12+ volts at that left rear socket. Check EVERYTHING. Even try cleaning up your hitch ball with a wire brush. Are the lights grounded right to the mounting bracket? Try running a jumper wire from that directly to the trailer frame on a CLEAN spot.
Faulty bulb? Have you tried swapping bulbs from one side to the other? I would definitely recommend making the switch to LED like J and Hicks mentioned.
12-volt systems only require 3 things... Power, ground, and a good bulb/load. Usually the ground quality is the suspect. It sounds like you already know this based on the steps you've taken so far. Good luck!
Also trace the wires heading too the socket, a pinched/crimped wire will give you fits as they run those wires along the frame rail... Pay particular attention too the axle areas as that area gets the most movement....
After rereading your original post I’d say with 11 volts getting to the socket (if I read it right) the socket with corrosion or not a good contact could be the issue. Can you use a common screwdriver to scrape the contacts to try and get a better connection? Might be the trick
After rereading your original post I’d say with 11 volts getting to the socket (if I read it right) the socket with corrosion or not a good contact could be the issue. Can you use a common screwdriver to scrape the contacts to try and get a better connection? Might be the trick
It’s cheap insurance...buy a wiring kit and a couple fixtures, redo the damn thing. Once this starts, it seems to never end. You’ll be ahead time and frustration to just redo it now. If you have the coin to upgrade to led, do that also. This rabbit hole and worth it...for the cost, just start over.
PS, use the old wire to pull thi new wire in. If exposed to elements, put it inside some cheap garden hose.
PS, use the old wire to pull thi new wire in. If exposed to elements, put it inside some cheap garden hose.
If I redo, that’s a great tip on using old wire to redo. So I had an LED set in my head and then I thought Maybe I’ll just replace the socket for now. Got an 1157 socket, new 1157 bulbs, and 1157 LED bulb (plus a load equalizer). Installed, same darn thing. Put the LED bulb in and it worked. I figure I’m getting a low load, probably from a bad ground. I’m back to legal for now which is good because it should get me through camping trips this summer. I will revisit at the end of season (I hope I make it that far!). Thanks for all the handy advice. Lotta know-how in these parts.
Been on the run for the last 6 weeks and only had my camper out once! Itching to get it out.
Did get some camping in this rig done, love this set up.
View attachment 62468
Did get some camping in this rig done, love this set up.
Most of you seen when I had the camper out already...first set up
Second set up
Sorry, best pic I got of it as I had my mind set more on....ummmmmm, other things.
Second set up
Sorry, best pic I got of it as I had my mind set more on....ummmmmm, other things
.
Have fun buddy.
Wish I was heading out but taking a break this weekend. Was supposed to be working on my flooring today but got stuck doing other things and I have to go in and work some OT tomorrow.
Back home, all unpacked and cleaned up. What a good time, much needed. No plans, just go and do nothing. It rained a bit a few times and this spot in the woods was great! With the heat this weekend it was also great to have the shade. Had some good neighbors and that always helps. Michael came by with his two kids Friday night and his boy last night.
Nice chill weekend, had some good eats and cold beer. Even got my once a year hangover out of the way yesterday. That’s right...I had a hangover...doesn’t happen often, but I had one.
Paint Creek, site 80 for anyone interested. Second biggest campsite in the place...we will be using this site again. I wouldn’t suggest it for a tent, camper only.
Nice chill weekend, had some good eats and cold beer. Even got my once a year hangover out of the way yesterday. That’s right...I had a hangover...doesn’t happen often, but I had one.
Paint Creek, site 80 for anyone interested. Second biggest campsite in the place...we will be using this site again. I wouldn’t suggest it for a tent, camper only.
No worries buddy. Let me know if you make it this way, I’m pretty close and I have a real problem saying no to a campfire.
We just got back yesterday from a much needed 3 nighter at Mohican Wilderness campgrounds with friends. Had the phone shutoff most of the weekend due to no cell service, so no pictures, but we had a blast!
Nice! We were there 2 weekends ago. Usually stay at River Run but I wanted to see their sites sizes in person and check out the campground in general. Very very happy with everything from a family camping perspective. Definitely a conservative campground though, not ideal for any TOO get together or our yearly adult cabrewing trip lol.