A boat that can be put on a trailer is very convenient and allows you the freedom to head to the open waters whenever you get the urge. But trailer lights on boat trailers can be a bit irritating at times.
It usually starts with something small. You know the wire shorts out when your putting the boat in the water or you snag a wire and break it off. Patch kit repairs on the fly and suddenly you no longer recognize the wiring for your boat trailer.
Maybe that’s why you’ll find wiring harnesses on the shelves of every parts supplier in the country and let’s not forget they are also easily available online. So perhaps it’s time to remove your wiring demons from your life.
It’s a well known fact that water and electrical connections are enemies. Water waits to corrode every crimp, every connection, after all that’s waters job right? So it only makes sense that you might want to try and keep the water and your trailer lights separated from each other.
One way to do that is with a light bar. In fact this is not only the easiest method it is also the cheapest method. It’s also portable so you can move it around from one trailer to another anytime you wish. You can put it together in minutes right at the kitchen table if you like.
You’ll need a bar that can be mounted to the transom of your boat. One of the easiest methods is to use a roof rack with suction cups. But don’t just depend on the suction cups use another method like stern cleats as a backup. You don’t want your lights bouncing down the freeway.
You can use a chunk of wood, some aluminum pipe, or even a piece of PVC to make your bar. Attach the pieces using screws. If you love a work of art a piece of teak makes a beautiful light bar.
You will need a four conductor cable that is long enough to reach from the stern of your boat on the trailer to the light connector on your car. Don’t use cheap single strand wire. You know the stuff you’d use to wire your doorbell. The cable is going to take a lot of flex so if you use improper wiring it’s going to break and cause you plenty of grief as you try to trace the broken wire.
Use the rubber covered multi twisted strand cable. It’s designed for the job. You’ll also need some electrical connections either the style that needs to be crimped or the style that needs to be soldered. You may have to buy a few tools but nothing too expensive.
When you buy your trailer light you can save a fair bit by not buying marine sealed lights. These are definitely needed if the lights were going to be entering the water but with a light bar this isn’t going to happen so there’s no need to waste your money. Instead you can use plain automotive style bulbs. Yes they’ll burn out so keep a few extras on hand.
Mount the lights spaced evenly on the bar and wire to the cable. Be sure to note the wire colors. You will have a power wire and a ground wire. Then attach your connector plug and your almost done. String the cable properly and fasten so it won’t come loose and drag down the road.
Don’t make your trailer lights a complicated project. The KISS formula always works and after all don’t you want to get out there and enjoy your boat?
