Contenu
One of the most crucial safety features of any towing setup is the light system on the back of your trailer. Improperly functioning lights can create a serious roadway hazard, making it difficult for those behind you to know whether you are slowing, stopping or turning. Fortunately, replacing a trailer light bulb is one of the easiest vehicular maintenance tasks you can do, and you ought to be able to complete the project in less than five minutes once you have the hang of it.
Step 1
Verify which light is not functioning properly. With the trailer wires hooked up to your towing vehicle, depress the brakes and test both blinkers while a friend or family member stands behind the vehicle. Theyll be able to see which lights work and which dont so that you dont accidentally replace the wrong one.
Step 2
Test the trailer circuit before replacing the light bulb. Trailer lights and wiring are subject to much more rigorous conditions than vehicle lights due to the exposure, bumpy ride and frequent immersions (in the case of boat trailers). A circuit tester will connect to your trailers converter plug, which is the fitting that connects to your vehicles electrical system. A light corresponding to each wire will light up to indicate a good connection; if a light doesnt come on then you know a repair other than light bulb replacement is necessary.
Step 3
Detach the trailer converter plug from the vehicle in order to disconnect power to the lights. If the circuit tests were normal, remove the light plate that covers the dead bulb. Unplug the bulb.
Step 4
Take the dead bulb to your local auto parts store. This will make it easy to find a replacement bulb in a sea of different colors, models and sizes.
Plug the new bulb into the light socket. Before replacing the light plate, hook the converter plug up to your vehicle and perform the test again with a friend or family member. If the light works, unhook the converter plug and reattach the light plate.
Items you will need
- Trailer circuit tester
- Screwdriver (flat and Phillips head)
- Replacement light bulb
