Trailer lights - Help Needed

I have a tilt trailer that I use for the Rzr. I have fought the lights for about 4 hours now. After 3 hours of no lights working, but almost everything testing okay, I finally realized that the ground isn't transfering between the frame and the tilt part of the trailer. Now that I have a ground wire jumping between the two, I can wire the lights one way and get breaks and flashers OR I can wire them the other way and get running lights. I cannot figure out how to get everything working.

I'm using 1157 bulbs, and tried new ones just to make sure that wasn't the problem.

Please tell me someone can help, cause I'm an electrical idiot.

THANKS!

Trailer lights have always been a challenge.  I have always got the best results to completely replace the wiring and lights when they start the blinking.

There is a piece of information you are not sharing though.  Does your tow vehicle have separate brake lights and blinkers?  If so you will need the adapter that converts the blinker/brake lights to work normal on the trailer. 

My Explorer has the separate lights, but already is converted from the factory and by using the provided plug socket close to the frame at the rear bumper.  Yours may be provided also and just not know it.

This may be your problem, if so, check your vehicle on the web and seek the solution there.  One other suggestion, place a short piece of chain between the tilt mechanism and the actual trailer part, and always make sure the ground wire is hooked on the trailer and the vehicle...MD

Mr.800 you are dead on the advice and don,t for get Toyota on how they do when it comes to wiring

Gary, Yep I bet he can get that conversion harness or identify the factory socket, he will probably be in business. 

There was a time when the Toyota and Nissan started with the separate blinker/brake lights, I would just leave the blinkers out and just use the tail lights and brake lights...MD

I'll have to look into it tomorrow. I have a '12 F150. I appreciate the input and will take all you guys can give.

its called a signal spliter .

is this the country fun that used to race mx on a suzuki 400? this is rich , me and simoniz raced together.

I would bet the farm the 2012 F150 will have the factory trailer light plug socket.  Country, I would have thought the 12 150 would have the trailer connection already mounted to the bumper.  If so you have a trailer problem.

It seems like a lot to do but it is actually very easy to just remove and replace the wiring and lights.  I did this on my jon boar trail3r a couple of months ago.  The cost was only a mere 25 bucks for the 25" harness and the new left and right tail lights.  Which I thought was a good investment to have good working lights.

Too much information for this morning, I have always struggled with understanding yes and no replies.  If you ask what time it is, my first thought is to build a clock...MD

if it is a ground problem.Do it the old way,run your ground though the plug to the trailer frame  don,t depend on the ball to make a ground .lights can be lit in mid air as long as you got juice &a ground

I looked at the lights a little on Sunday and said heck with it. My truck does not have seperate turn/brake lights, so the signal splitter should not be the issue. I went ahead and bought two new submersible trailer light kits. I cut off the metal rings that the old lights were in, ground that are down, drilled my new holes, and hit it with some primer last night. Tonight I won't have much time to work on it, but I'm hoping to get some paint on it and new wire ran. Hopefully I can finish this up tomorrow, and be ready to go this weekend.

After this is all done, the other set of lights will go on my boat trailer, as the ones on it are about 15 years old and giving me some problems.

CntryFun, sounds like you are now off and running.  This will only be for this battle.  Eventually there will be other trailer lights battles again and again.  AND, when you think you have got it, just look in the mirror and one of them will wink at you...MD

Just to let everyone know... I never did find out what was wrong w/ the old lights, but I bought new lights & wiring for this trailer, and my boat trailer, and both are now working great.

Was able to go for a ride Saturday and had a good time.

Now if I can just get my dang amp/speaker to quit blowing fuses, I'll be happy.

Converted all my lights to led.  Don't mess with bulbs any more.  Much less hassle.

Once I saw that the lights, wires, and harness were $20 a set, I knew you were right all along!

Dang it groundhog... why do you even have to mention LEDs? I was perfectly content with what I had and you had to go and ruin it!