How to Establish Ground Connection When Re-Wiring Aluminum Trailer
Question:
I am planning to use the Hopkins 7-way pigtail connecting to a trailer junction box to be mounted inside the coach. Also using the 10-2-1 for the brakes and the bonded 4wire for running lights. My question has to do with grounding. The white from the pigtail is attached to the junction box and then grounded to the steel frame. The 4wire running to the rear of the trailer inside also has a white ground wire. Do you suggest a grounding bar at the rear with common/ground for all rear lights running to that or white wire grounded to frame at rear and lights grounded to body aluminum? or something else? Also for the side marker lights attached to brown in separate run same question. Ground to chassis or lead back to ground bar? Thanks for you help
asked by: Cliff B
Helpful Expert Reply:
Aluminum trailer frames or bodies can cause grounding issues so I suggest using a separate ground wire that runs from the rear of the trailer up to the main ground post in the junction box like # 38656. You can join the ground wires for the individual lights at the rear of the trailer to one length of 10-gauge wire # 10-1-1 that can connect at the junction box. This way all trailer light grounds will be referenced to the main vehicle ground, which also connects to the junction box.
You may prefer to use Jacketed 7-Wire cable # DW04914-1. This includes a 10-gauge white ground wire as compared to the bonded 4-pole wire you referenced # 16-4B-1 which has only a 16-gauge ground wire. Plus it will be better protected from weather and road hazards.
You'll need ring terminals like # 44-5310A and you can use dielectric grease # 11755 to keep those connections free of corrosion.
Products Referenced in This Question
Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring
- Dielectric Grease
- LubriMatic
more information >
Ring Terminal - 12-10 Gauge Wire - 3/16" Ring ID
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Ring Terminals
- 3/16 Inch Diameter
- 12-10 Gauge
- Flint Hill Goods
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Continue Researching
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: bearing 25580 trailer bearings races seals caps
- Shop: Trailer Wiring Junction Box
- Q&A: What Gauge Wire Should be Used to Wire Trailer Brakes
- Search Results: led flood light
- Q&A: Replacement LED Flood Light for Load Lights on a Horse Trailer
- Video: A Closer Look at the Ultra Bright LED Flood Light
- Video: Opti-Brite LED Work Light Feature Review
- Video: Comprehensive Review: Ultra Bright LED Flood Light
- Q&A: How to Ground Lights When Re-Wiring Aluminum Frame Snowmobile Trailer
- Shop: Opti-Brite LED Work Light - Flood Beam - 252 Lumens - Black Plastic - Square - Qty 1
- Shop: Ultra Bright LED Flood Light - 9,000 Lumens - Black Aluminum - Clear Lens - 12V/24V
- Shop: Peterson Identification Light Bar - Submersible - Incandescent - Black Plastic Base - Red Lens
- Shop: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Video: Optronics Thinline LED Trailer Fender Light w/ Bracket Feature Review
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 5,200-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2
- Video: Trailer Valet JXS Drill Powered Swivel Trailer Jack w/ Footplate: The Breakdown
- Video: Hands-On with the 10-10 Grease or Oil Double-Lip Seals
- Search Results: lm67048
- Q&A: Replacement Grease Seal 225255UC for 2015 Wesco Trailer
- Q&A: Will the Dexter 10 Inch Hub and TruRyde 10 Brake Assembly Work Together?
- Q&A: Is 14 Gauge Wire Too Small for Electric Trailer Brakes
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: Comprehensive Review: Dexter Torflex #11 Axle Side-Mount Frame Installation Hardware Kit
- Article: Trailer Lighting Requirements
- Q&A: Changing Tire & Wheel Size To Raise The Height Of Your Trailer
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring