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Old 09-08-2022, 08:26 AM   #1
HONK
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Default What do you know about trailers?

I bought a "new" 6x4 trailer.

It's in horrible condition but was fairly cheap compared to most others online for sale.

Dude has Toyota Corona tail lights on the rear bolted on... The wires from the lights at the rear to trailer connector are all screwed. It's a circle plug. I see a red wire cut and poking out of the back of the cable cover thing...

I wish to remove the Toyota trailer lights and fit some basic supercheap lights. I'll buy a new set of wires, a harness thing with a flat connector to fit the Fairmont.

Is the wiring for the trailer lights as simple as splicing the new flat connector wire harness thing to the new light sockets?

Not sure how the wire harnesses work but it seems like one end has the plug, and the other end is just bare wires, is that right? So I just splice them into the new tail lamps and off I go? (No fuses or other bs I must worry about?)

Going down to bunnings today to take a look... Not seen the harnesses in person yet, no idea what I'll end up with.

Last edited by HONK; 09-08-2022 at 08:38 AM.
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Old 09-08-2022, 09:08 AM   #2
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Autobarn seems to have the most Trailer options but I bought all my stuff off ebay when I replaced my old 6x4 lights with LED ones.
you'll need a 5 core wire, but it needs to split off left and right (green wire right & yellow left. either use a junction box or solder them with heaps of electrical tape
plenty of wiring diagrams online to help you
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Old 09-08-2022, 02:27 PM   #3
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

If you want to avoid the mess and time that goes with solder and electrical tape then consider some bits of shrink wrap. Will make any joins semi weather proof.

Supercrap also sells some sort of connector that is self soldering and sealing when heated. Insert bare wires into either end, heat it with a lighter and it solders the connection and shrinks around the wires making them supposedly weatherproof.

If you value your car don't buy the cheapest sh*t LED lights too. Some of them aren't particularly bright. I see it alot around here, so dull you can hardly see them activate. A tail ending waiting to happen. Buy something decent.

Dont forget plenty of cable ties to strap the loom to the frame.
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Old 09-08-2022, 06:35 PM   #4
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Buy a light bar from supercheap?
$100 or wait for specials (I paid $75 last one I bought)
Pick the connection required.
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/se...bar&lang=en_AU
Saves a lot of heart ache.
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Old 09-08-2022, 06:53 PM   #5
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

LED Autolamps stuff is good, you just want rear combination lamps, you just need stop/tail and indicators.

30M roll of 3mm/1.13mm2 5 core wire would do the trick with some left over.

I'm a fan of ye olde large 7 pin round trailer plug, the metal one, big contacts, will withstanding being outside.

Depends on what you got on the car though, if you got a flat on the car use a flat on the trailer, if you got the big round 7 pin like the legends do, then use that.

Depends on how much you can be ****ed doing it properly, both me and a mate are auto electricians by trade, both of us have separate opinions on how a trailer should be wired.

So when you have two tradespeople with differing opinions, we consulted the 'tradesman rule book' and looked at the 'conflict resolution' chapter, which specifically instructs you to never concede to the 'other guy'.

So on my trailer, we did one side of the trailer each, and did it OUR way, my light has a quick connector complete with crimp terminals with hot glue in the *** end of it for 'IP-FRANCO' spec weather proofing, and the light he did is all soldered

8 years later, both lights on the trailer still work after sitting in my front yard so I guess we're both right
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Old 09-08-2022, 09:56 PM   #6
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

While it is basic, I suggest carrying a few extra spare fuses. The way trailers get abused, it may pop one or two before you discover where the harness is crushed or chafed.
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Old 10-08-2022, 08:05 AM   #7
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Hi. Led Autolamps do a plug and play system that is almost foolproof. https://ledautolamps.com/img/cms/LED...ge_2022_LR.pdf . Have a look at page 30 for the basic wiring and pick lights that fit with plugs attached from the previous pages. Cheers MD
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Old 10-08-2022, 10:33 AM   #8
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

$40 buck on ebay kit includes lights plug & Cable
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/16535510...frcectupt=true
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Old 11-08-2022, 09:38 AM   #9
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it.


I didn't end up getting to the store yesterday but I'm off today so I'll report back.


Good advice.
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Old 11-08-2022, 12:06 PM   #10
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

What do I know about trailers, well, they give me anxiety.

Every time I let it out of the garage it seems to follow me around, hiding in the blind spot behind me...
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Old 14-08-2022, 07:44 PM   #11
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vesper Martini View Post
$40 buck on ebay kit includes lights plug & Cable
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/16535510...frcectupt=true

I've ordered this, it is similar to the supercheap light bar which was going to be my second choice, and half price.

I'm a stinge though so like to save cash, and don't mind setting it up. I'll mount it to a thing of wood.

Thanks a lot.




In regards to the number plate light... How do I go about getting power to that?

Apparently you need a light for the number plate area which you display the car rego on, trailer being exempt.

What do I splice in for power there? Just the night time tail lights wire?

Last edited by HONK; 14-08-2022 at 07:54 PM.
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Old 14-08-2022, 09:30 PM   #12
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Quote:
Originally Posted by HONK View Post
I've ordered this, it is similar to the supercheap light bar which was going to be my second choice, and half price.

I'm a stinge though so like to save cash, and don't mind setting it up. I'll mount it to a thing of wood.

Thanks a lot.




In regards to the number plate light... How do I go about getting power to that?

Apparently you need a light for the number plate area which you display the car rego on, trailer being exempt.

What do I splice in for power there? Just the night time tail lights wire?
You need something like this - the white “number plate” light integrated to one of the lights. Not saying this unit (connector might be wrong for you) but something similar.

Otherwise you will have to splice into the parking light circuit and add a separate white light - not impossible with modern epoxy sealed heat shrink.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/265337135093
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Old 14-08-2022, 11:17 PM   #13
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Yep you just splice the number plate light into the tail light wire, that way it comes on with your car headlights.
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Old 15-08-2022, 10:34 AM   #14
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Quote:
Originally Posted by HONK View Post
I've ordered this, it is similar to the supercheap light bar which was going to be my second choice, and half price.

I'm a stinge though so like to save cash, and don't mind setting it up. I'll mount it to a thing of wood.

Thanks a lot.




In regards to the number plate light... How do I go about getting power to that?

Apparently you need a light for the number plate area which you display the car rego on, trailer being exempt.

What do I splice in for power there? Just the night time tail lights wire?
For my one I don't run a number plate light as I often remove the tailgate.
6x4 trailer doesnt have a REGO so my crappy trailer only has my plate number written with a paint pen. at one stage I has written in smaller pen
"VICTORIA THE NANNY STATE"

Ive had the trailer for years, its not worth much now but has well and truly paid for its self with the amount of work its done.
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Old 15-08-2022, 10:40 AM   #15
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vesper Martini View Post
For my one I don't run a number plate light as I often remove the tailgate.
6x4 trailer doesnt have a REGO so my crappy trailer only has my plate number written with a paint pen. at one stage I has written in smaller pen
"VICTORIA THE NANNY STATE"

Ive had the trailer for years, its not worth much now but has well and truly paid for its self with the amount of work its done.
Probably still supposed to have a light even for the handwritten numbers
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Old 15-08-2022, 10:45 AM   #16
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

You could use the supercheap board just tied to the back of the trailer or if you wanted the lights more permanent,take the lights off and bolt to the trailer.you might have to tap a number plate light into the loom
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Old 15-08-2022, 11:52 AM   #17
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

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Probably still supposed to have a light even for the handwritten numbers
Probably, but nobody does it
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Old 15-08-2022, 12:12 PM   #18
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

You may or may not have to have it inspected to transfer rego.For RWC needs lights,red reflecors on rear corner#!white reflectors on front corners.rated safety chain,vin number,good tyres,bearings etc.tailgate should have a 150mm wide white strip
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Old 15-08-2022, 03:04 PM   #19
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Quote:
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You may or may not have to have it inspected to transfer rego.For RWC needs lights,red reflecors on rear corner#!white reflectors on front corners.rated safety chain,vin number,good tyres,bearings etc.tailgate should have a 150mm wide white strip
I believe that certain trailers in Vic do not need rego, so no roadworthy would be needed.
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Old 15-08-2022, 03:13 PM   #20
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Quote:
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I believe that certain trailers in Vic do not need rego, so no roadworthy would be needed.
6x4 trailer doesn't need rego
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Old 15-08-2022, 03:22 PM   #21
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

When i got a blue slip (nsw) on my boat trailer, the only iffy thing i had to sorta twist an arm for was the numberplate light. So factory incandecents. The tail, brake lights and indicators work. It has side running lights that arent needed but work. The numberplate light is just a clear section on the underside of the red diffuser of the rear tail lamp. The engineers concern is even though it was fine when the trailer was new, it only lights up the first of 6 characters of the number plate. He reluctantly passed it as it was not a modified trailer. The running lights, they're as it was factory so orange on the fron and rear of the wheel arches tapped into the tails so only on with the cars headlights. So boat on trailer, its not heaps long, maybe 7m. But it is wider then a car that tows it.
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Old 15-08-2022, 03:31 PM   #22
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Actually looking at Vicroads I think you only need a RWC if the trailer is considered a Heavy Trailer of 4500 mass
that seems pretty heavy?
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Old 15-08-2022, 03:35 PM   #23
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

Quote:
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6x4 trailer doesn't need rego
Depends on what you are doing with it and if you happen to carry goods that could overhang a 6x4 then must be registered hence the reason why my one is registered.
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Old 15-08-2022, 03:48 PM   #24
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Depends on what you are doing with it and if you happen to carry goods that could overhang a 6x4 then must be registered hence the reason why my one is registered.
Yeah thats a bit contrradictory,because it is illegal to have anything extending behind the trailer
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Old 15-08-2022, 04:27 PM   #25
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

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6x4 trailer doesn't need rego
Hi. It doesn't need rego FOR PRIVATE USE, It would need rego if you were using it for business use. Cheers MD
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Old 15-08-2022, 09:10 PM   #26
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

How good is all the conflicting information in this thread from different rules in different states.

Imagine if we just had one set of rules that were national for all our road authorities
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Old 15-08-2022, 09:16 PM   #27
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

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How good is all the conflicting information in this thread from different rules in different states.

Imagine if we just had one set of rules that were national for all our road authorities
LoL as if that would happen
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Old 15-08-2022, 09:50 PM   #28
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

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How good is all the conflicting information in this thread from different rules in different states.

Imagine if we just had one set of rules that were national for all our road authorities
Where would be the fun in that...

Friends of mine moved from Hoppers to Cairns maybe 10/11 years ago now. The sent the bulk of their stuff up in containers, but decided to drive their 2 cars one towing a 6x4 with the last of their personal items.

About 15 min over the Qld border the car with the trailer was pulled over by a cop who demanded the rego papers for the trailer. They explained they were moving to Cairns, didn't know Qld required rego and in Vic they don't.

Cop said tough sh*t and gave them a $500 fine.

I remember the FB posst. A pic of the fine with the caption "Welcome to f*cking Queensland".

$120 or $140 to rego a 6X4 here. Cant remember what I last paid.
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Old 16-08-2022, 10:15 AM   #29
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Default Re: What do you know about trailers?

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Yeah thats a bit contradictory, because it is illegal to have anything extending behind the trailer
Yep - more likely to get pinged for overhangs than no licence plate light.
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