Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the water?

[MH Hawker]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

The older unsealed lights would often blow a bulb so it was necessary to unplug and let them cool a bit before dunking them. the newer sealed units make it unnecessary. I haven't tried the LED ones yet but I would guess those would be just fine to.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

my dad taught me to unplug them i forgot the 1st time and cracked a bulb, i suggested sealed ones, he said they leak then the water is stuck in there rusting stuff

 

[Maclin]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

Sounds like a trust issue. If water gets in they are not sealed, and the MFG can't call them that. The non sealed ones keep moisture and those definitely rust. If sealed ones leak they are faulty, have never seen one leak unless it was damaged. They also have a plug that seals with dilectric grease also, very competent units.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

You guys that are using lights that aren't sealed need to upgrade your lights. Without even discussing the plug/unplug issue, you are going to have way more problems with corrosion down the road. The lights I use are sealed so that when the bulb blows, you throw away the whole assembly and buy a new one. It mounts with a grommet(big oval O-ring) on the trailer. Water will never physically hit the hot bulb!

No wonder people on here have so many problems with their lights!

 

[oregoncruiser]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

You guys that are using lights that aren't sealed need to upgrade your lights. Without even discussing the plug/unplug issue, you are going to have way more problems with corrosion down the road. The lights I use are sealed so that when the bulb blows, you throw away the whole assembly and buy a new one. It mounts with a grommet(big oval O-ring) on the trailer. Water will never physically hit the hot bulb!

No wonder people on here have so many problems with their lights!

Sorry Bruce!!! But never say never. I have had the exact bulb you showed earlier filled with water. In fact it was so full you couldn't tell. You know, if it was half full you'd see it sloshing around. Funny thing is though, it was still working(Probably because I do unhook lights before hitting the water). When I did my spring mtnce, I had to replace the plate light and could see the water line up high, so I pulled it and drilled a 1/8th" hole and the water poured out. It's still in my box for a backup.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

I have submersible lights, but have always unplugged. Have had people tell me I don't need to, but just a thing I have always done.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

Sorry Bruce!!! But never say never. I have had the exact bulb you showed earlier filled with water.

If it fills with water, it needs to be replaced anyway as it will eventually fail from the water in it.

There are also quality differences in these sealed bulb housings. I probably wouldn't be putting the Harbor Freight versions of these in LED or non LED on my trailer any time soon.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

I had a right brake-turn signal out and replaced the corroded bulb and cleaned up the socket, before we left home today. When we got back home my wife told me the left brake didn't work. Yes I did unplug but that doesn't stop them from getting wet and corroding. I'm going to replace these tail lights with the submersible kind now. I have installed the submersible ones on other trailers and they always worked great for me, before.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

... I don't disconnect the lights on trailer with disc brakes and brake lock-out solenoid...

+1

I used to unplug the trailer until the day I was backing down the ramp and hit a minor bump in the concrete.
The surge brakes locked up solid in a flash.
Scared the daylights out of me!
I thought the skeg had dug into the ramp!

I have to hold the trailer back with the brakes all the way down the ramp.
I would have thought the slope of the ramp would keep the coupler extended.
Apparently not!
Now I just leave them plugged in.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

Every time. I also check and make sure all my lights and turn signals work before I pull out of the parking lot.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

In 25 years no sealed bulbs no corrosion. A few blown bulbs.Why would you change out lights that work to put in waterproof lights.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

My dad and brother unplug theirs. I've never done it and never replaced a bulb. Every time I take my boat to the lake and if they're with me, "aren't you going to unplug your lights?". No!

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

It's not an issue of salt water vs: fresh water and what corrodes more aggressively. No need to disconnect harness with newer generation light assemblies. As a matter of fact, if one has disc brakes, with a backing solenoid, the harness needs to be connected so one can indeed back up the trailer. My trailer has discs on both axles and acts like it's welded in place if I try to back up without the harness connected.

This old "disconnect before backing into water" step went the way of the dodo because it was the fact that older style lights weren't well water proofed and when backing, the brake lights were on, if harness was connected, and when the water hit the hot bulb, the bulb would pop. New lights, especially LED ones, are sealed / gasketed / waterproofed in some better manner to keep the water out and away from the hot bulb. If water is getting in there, it's time to replace / upgrade the light assemblies, not unplug the harness.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

I have guide poles at the back of my trailer, and mounted the lights on top of the poles. The lights never go under water, so no problems. Also the poles are high enough, so I see where the back of the trailer is when backing it down to get the boat out, and that helps out alot for backing up the trailer without the boat on. Also at night, I can see the back of the whole rig thru the side mirrors easy. I like my setup, and would do it on any boat rig.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

Disc brakes with solenoid so disconnecting the harness is not an option.

I have the Westbar low profile waterproof lights wth a sealed lamp capsule. I've had to replace one lamp capsule in the past 6 years. A "helper" cracked it when he stood on it to put the hold-down strap on.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

Thanks for posting the link!

That's the best price I have ever seen for oval lights!... I have a couple equipment trailers that needs some new lights, and I'm going to order some!.. I make my own brackets for oval lights!

Thanks!

Wow... That IS a good price. Ordering 2 right now, for spares. I have LED's now, but paid 3x that much for them.

 

[2 Eagles]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

Dad does & I do.

 

[89Donzi]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

I have submersible lights on my trailer and never disconnect the harness...and I'm always in salt water. Never had a problem...or a blown bulb.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

I don't think I have sealed lights. The bulbs are separate from the housings, not combined as one replaceable unit. Their from 2004. I never unplug due to needing the lockout solenoid on the surge brakes. I've never blown a tail light bulb in 8 years.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Does anyone else unplug their wiring harness before putting the trailer in the wa

add me to those who try to remember to unplug prior to backing the trailer into the water .... guess that comes with being old school

Jim