Boat Trailer Repair Project

[TurkeyRookie]

Wholly smokes a free trailer, sure costs a lot of money

Just picked up a draw bar and ball, set of trailer lights (Dad said current aren't working), license plate, spare tire holder, and a wheeled jack stand.

Heading out fishing in the morning, at the lake the boat is currently at, once trailer is here, toss the goodies on and fix the bunks and can bring the boat home.

[TurkeyRookie]

Dad dropped the trailer off, looks to be in good shape, of course it's missing a bunch of pieces. Brother took them off, a number of years ago to paint the trailer, never put them back on, and has since lost. Few trips to the hardware store and should have it ready to go get the boat.

[Pat32rf]

Definitely looks like it has the weight capacity for anything up to 20'. How big is the boat again?

[TurkeyRookie]

It's a 14' Lund Deep and Wide.

[Bushmoose]

As Pat32rf say's, that does look like a heavy duty trlr? I notice that the winch stand doesn't look like it's adjustable? By the time you get the boat up on it, the transom may be inside the end, which may be a problem if you plan to carry the motor when travelling?

[TurkeyRookie]

It was setup for a 14' so should only have to make minor adjustments. The trailer is a tilt, so the winch isn't movable, there is a tonge infront of it with the, lack of a better term "nose catcher" bumper on it, and it is adjustable in and out.

[MikePal]

So who lost their parking spot for your project

[TurkeyRookie]

So who lost their parking spot for your project

Good catch the wife.

[TurkeyRookie]

So I figured today I would tackle the lights, cut all the old wiring out and took the tail lights off, simple enough. Had picked up the submersible LED kit from Canadian Tire. Instructions looked simple enough as well.

Ran the wires where I thought they should go, taped them in locations that looked like they could rub, tie strapped everything into place, spliced the wires into the lights, more tape, bolt into place, and put the license plate holder in and attach the plate while I'm at it.

Stand back and admire my handy work.

I attach the trailer to the truck, plug in the harness and walk to the back to take in the glowing glory, only instead of glowing glory, I'm met with dimly lit dismay...

Only the side marker lights are on, not the main LED's.

When it comes to this kind of stuff, I am as savvy as Tim the toolman, I don't even pretend to know what I'm doing, but what I can do, is work Google like a boss.

I recall reading on here a lot that people complained about dim lights and most times it seemed to be bad grounds. I checked all mine, they were all new (3 of them) one off each light, with a new self tapping screw and washer into each side of the frame, and then the ground off the wiring harness at the front of the trailer, same new self tapping and washer into the frame.

I ponder awhile and think what else can it be. I am looking over everything and just about to give up, when it hits me. This is a tilt trailer.... and it hasn't been tilted in years. I wonder if the two sections are not making a good connection between the two. So I cut a small piece of wire, quickly crimp a loop onto each end. Drill one end into the tongue, and then start to drill the other into the rear frame section, making a clean ground front to back and bypassing the tilt connection.

The screw makes about 2 turns against the frame and as soon as it hits clean metal, the fence behind the trailer lights up! SUCCESS!!!

I know to most this is a "yea so what" moment, but for me, it was sheer brilliance

So we now have working lights.

[Bushmoose]

The pic is a little crooked? Was the photographer into the sauce celebrating his wiring prowess? Good job though!