trailer light problems?

Hi guys just put together a harbor freight trailer. Having trouble with the lights. none of them go on. I think it might be the ground? Anyone have any ideas?. I really want to get my inflatable on the water!?

Use a test light to check for voltage.  If you have voltage at the light socket then you have a ground problem.  Make sure your plug is wired correctly.

Unless you have already tested (with a light or another trailer) I'd start at the vehicle plug. And first there is to be sure the ground wire is properly attached.

You can also use a battery charger to energize the trailer wires to check ops.

Check your fuse near the battery.. Make sure that you are still getting power.. If the fuse is good. Use the test light and check for voltage!

An old trick for a bad ground, it take a small piece of steel wool and put it on top of ball before connecting the trailer. The ball and steel wool will help a lot when the wire may fail. When I say an old trick it is a real old trick. Like a tobacco bag to keep the windows from fogging.   

Like a tobacco bag to keep the windows from fogging.   

.

That is a great old trick!  From back when heat and vent systems in vehicles were so lame. It also works to cut road film on the outside of the windshield after a first rain.

I have one of those HF trailers.  Mine was supposed to ground to the trailer frame.  Problem is, they want you to ground to a painted surface.  No good!  I attached the ground wire direct and not to the frame.  Worked great.  I also noticed that the HF trailer lites are crap.  Often they have internal wiring problems that cause them to not work or flicker.  I went right for much better quality LED trailer lites (not from HF) and haven't looked back.

Thanks for all the help guys. Finally got it working. A lot of trouble shooting, but finally got it done. strange though, the left rear light is brighter then the right. Anyone know why?

Change the bulb?? The bulb could just be old..

Tail light on one side might be wired wrong, ( brake light to running light circuit ).
Should have one side that will be brighter with running lights, and other side brighter with brake lights if this is the problem.

Tail light on one side might be wired wrong, ( brake light to running light circuit ).
Should have one side that will be brighter with running lights, and other side brighter with brake lights if this is the problem.

I bet this is how Ken wired his trailer.

Like a tobacco bag to keep the windows from fogging.   

.

That is a great old trick!  From back when heat and vent systems in vehicles were so lame. It also works to cut road film on the outside of the windshield after a first rain.

Just figured these young guys need to know some of these old tricks. I think it also works inside of swim masks.