Nathan! I started watching this video because I just bought a homemade trailer and the brakes were cut, so I'm gleaning information on how to successfully fix them. As soon as the video started and I heard you talking, I realized that you are the same Nathan from one of my favorite MRE review videos! It's great to put a face to a voice finally. Thanks for the help and great videos!

I agree with you about replacing the front end of that harness. Actually, after seeing that burnt wiring, I'd replace all of it so it's new. I like to go with the one piece plug harness and terminal box, mounted to the frame and go with all new wire and run it in conduit. Even something as simple as PEX pipe or EMT secured to the frame will keep the wires safe from damage. The time, effort and cost is worth it once it's done because you won't have any wiring issues for years to come - if ever. Cheap peace of mind in my opinion. Thanks for sharing.

I am new to trailers. I’ve bought three in the last year, all from different manufacturers. Two cargo trailers and a hydraulic dump trailer. I’m constantly amazed at the cheap wiring, it’s all waiting to fail. Thank you for your video!

thanks, you gave me steps to figure where my problem might be, and what to look for.

When I pass wires through a frame, I drill a larger hole and insert a piece of rubber tube tpo form a grommet. it pays off over time.

This was good to show how issues occur and how a quick patch can be done. This is not repaired. A complete rewire is needed unless you like endless wiring issues.

Man thank you so much. I’ve been dealing with no breaks on my single axel dump trailer. I checked for power coming to the rear with a volt meter and was getting 12.0. I cut one of the Scott factory connectors out and used a regular one and bam I have breaks again!

Dielectric grease in crimp connectors then coat with Liquid tape to seal.

My brother gave me a trailer. The wiring had so many splices done half assed, I removed all the wiring and started over. NEW everything lights, brakes trailer to vehicle harness and breakaway. It did not cost that much. Well under $200.00. I wont have to worry for awhile.

I would suggest a complete re-wire including a junction box to clean up the existing wiring. Trailer wiring takes a real beating and needs to be task-specific and of higher quality. One can get creative to get a trailer home, but for the long haul, it's better to do it right. Good luck.

What do you hook the two wires coming out of the hubs too. What are the connections for it?

Better to use the crimps with heatshrink ends built in then cover in heatshrink.. Or better yet, solder, wrap w/good tape (or liquid tape), then heatshrink. Also, you should have found the melted wire in the initial inspection :)

Good tutorial. Though I do take issue with the apparent bias against incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs have worked fine for 100 years, they are simple, proven tech, and replacement bulbs are relatively cheap and easy to find. I can see where if say 25 bulbs were in operation drawing say 15 watts each, that would be a dangerous and problematic overloaded circuit. But with just a handful of bulbs, the switch to LED’s would be expensive and unnecessary.

watching this at 3:58 am lol learning does have a time!!

I just want to know what kind of mat you are laying on while working on the rough ground

I ran my trailer and failed to connect the Plug to the brakes. My brakes locked and I dragged it a ways before I discovered the problem. I’m worried now I might have compromised my wiring and brakes. How do I check to see if the wiring is good/bad?

What wire is the ground and hot, I o ly have white and black, where do I hook up the blue wire?????

What if my lights work but not my axle brakes new installation?? Please help

Wow this is a great video on what not to do I didn’t realize it so hard to make a great video

Hello, I liked your video. I just completed a tent trailer wire up with electric brakes. The brake controler seems to be working but, when I activate the brakes i do not hear them. I have not road tested it yet, any suggestions on testing if electricity is getting to the brakes? Thanks so much.

Good information.

NEVER ground any trailer through the ball. That's the best way to misdiagnose any trailer wiring issue.

great vid thanks

Sequoia, sweet. ..and I "understand what your talking about" I own 5 trailers currently the 2 with brakes are around 10 y.o. this video helps. Clear and to the point! Thanks Nate!

They should be soldered together, it may easily pull out of the heat shrink.

You have to check everything from Harbor Freight.. I hear you on that one 👍😅😂🤣

put a 7 way junction box n break away

Wire crimps red,blue ,yellow ones are not made to be taped around for designed to be open at where moisture can escape

Just picked up an old trailer, lights work but.... The trailer brake wires were cut.??? How do I fix that?

You rewired harness. Not sure if you opened junction box for wire splitting. But that was my problem.

So is the white wire hot or ground?

When I'm pulling my trailer it keeps saying trailer connected and trailer disconnected over and over as I'm driving. All the lights work but there is no power at the blue wire which is the brakes. Does anyone know what is wrong?

on my trailer I got the whole wire light kit, driver light everything thing is fine but passenger light on turns on but don't blink or flash wen u brake

That was great

I don't have a trailer but it's still interesting

I was wiring my trailer today started watching this then realized he sound just like the guy from STFN 👀

The blue crimp wasn't even a heat shrink version crimp still not water tight lol

Should be called "Half Assed way to wire trailer"

What brand are those LEDs? I almost bought the LED square ones from Tractor Supply but they don't seem to get the best reviews.

Trailer brakes 101? LOL. Should have named the video, "I'm gonna try to figure this shit out."

You solder the wires before you heat shrink them..

he knows very little more than the owner of the tra. .......lol

Sir, respectfully, you should have advised the trailer's owner that he really does have a major need to completely re-do his trailer's wiring. Yes, you helped him a little bit with the "bandaids" that you performed -->, just enough to limp on. However, if he comes to a roadway inspection station, and/or an alert highway patrolman, your friend might have to do some fast talking. Moreover, and just for safety, if your friend is to rely on that trailer, common sense would dictate for a complete wiring overhaul, eliminating this cluster-mess.

I'm clicking off ..Soon as he said twist the wires together that was it for me.. You have to solder the wires and use the sealant type heat shrink ..

That plug cable needs to be replaced. You are way beyond replacement time

Don't do close up video if you're going to be starting at your image in the screen... It's distracting... your audience is in the camera lens.

Do not twist wires then cover that up with heat shrink, solder them or get butt connectors, this is VERY WRONG.

Your wiring is atrocious on your trailer. Worst I've ever seen. It's embarrassing putting it on youtube

You need to change the name of the video please. It indicates you are troubleshooting brakes and in your intro you say rewiring brakes and lights.

Keep your day job because you're not qualified to wire a trailer.