How to Wire a Boat Trailer

Go to the following link it will give you the connections and wire colours for the various connectors used in Oz

http://www.campertrailers.org/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm

Boat trailers are no different to box trailers or caravans,the same rules apply.

If you havent bought the lights yet, get a set with Reversing lights for your lighting board and wire up the reversing lights to your socket on the car. You will thank yourself afterwards, when your trying to back the trailer in the dark...

My preference is to set up a lighting board rather than muck with lights on the trailer. That way you don't have any electrics in the water, and your registration plate and sticker can be safely put away in your car, while your out in the boat.

http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm

If the wires are inside a tubular trailer frame, install the new wiring by pulling it through with the old wiring as you remove it. Use waterproof connections. I would also recommend installing new, good quality submersible trailer lights. If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right!

Sorry but in Australia the trailer connections and wiring is based on minimum 5 pin but usually 6 or 7 pin connectors. There is a legislative requirement to comply with the ADR (Australian Design Rules), not to mention ensuring compatablility.

The current "standard" wiring scheme is for 7 pin connectors usually the "Brylite" flat connector or a bit old school "Utilux" small round. The pinouts and wiring colours are the same.

Most new towbar installations use the flat 7 pin, for most of the eastern seaboard of Oz. South Australia and WA use the Large 7 pin Utilux though I'm told that's changing too.

As for Submergable lights, if your going to go for that expense, buy the LED ones. If you want to maintain trailer (& boat) security then a lighting board is the way to go.

I would also like to note that in Australia, the ADR requirments for lighting systems in all vehicles is that there must be a seperate circuit for Tail, Brake, Left and Right Indicator, and Reversing lights. Rear facing fog lamps must also be on a seperate switched ciruit. Vehicles imported into Australia must be changed to comply with the ADR's before they are allowed to be registered and used on Oz roads.

This question also comes up from time to time on the IH8MUD forum from people who have imported Landcruisers from Oz or NZ to Canada/U.S. wanting to convert the trailer wiring to the U.S. standard.

The previous answers gave you excellent information which if you follow those instructions you will do well. There are terminals with heat shrink covering that you could use to prevent moisture from getting into your wiring connections. Also it's good practice to clamp/tie wiring so it is neat and doesn't get caught on anything.

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