Tow Harness

[Trons4u]

Hi all, I'm Tony and the proud owner of a 1959 24' Tradewind. I've had it for almost a week.

Well I'm trying to get the tow harness figured out. The tail lights work (sorta) to a point, when you have the blinker on and then press the brake they alternately flash the left - right tails. If you don't press the brake they blink like the should.

The original 7 wire cable was cut and a 4 wire spliced in. I'm trying to find where it goes once it enters the trailer so I can replace it, I'm guessing there's a distribution block or something. On the port side between the couch and sink, it looks like theres is an access panel in the floor because there is a little finger hold that you could lift up and open, if the whole floor wasn't covered in a nice dark stains and Orange carpet.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Tony

[Jammer]

The problem you describe is usually caused by a bad ground. Check to be sure the white wire is connected to the frame, and clean off any corrosion.

As a temporary measure you can just hook up a jumper wire between teh frame of the tow vehicle and the frame of the trailer.

[Not Done]

Welcome Tony!

[xrvr]

I thought when you went to a four plug it eliminated the brakes from working, could that have something to do with it? I might be totally wrong.

[Thalweg]

Tony,
I have a '62 Tradewind, which should be very similar to your '59. On mine, the cable ran through the A-frame and into the under belly. The connections were accessed through a hole in the under belly sheet metal. There was a small square patch panel riveted on to cover the hole. Mine is on the curb side about a foot from the front of the trailer.

None of the wires in mine were marked, and most were red. So I had to do some detective work with a continuity meter and long jumper wires to figure out what went to what. It's really a lot of fun....not.

[Thalweg]

I forgot to mention, the way the lights were wired in the 50's-60's was different from how things are wired for a 7-pin. I don't remember exactly what I did to correct the issue, but I know that I disconnected one wire in the tail light fixture to make it match current standards.

[Trons4u]

I think I'm going to have to drop the belly pan and take a look around. There's no access panel and not even a decent hole that I can look into anywhere underneath. Some PO ran a separate ground (at least I think it's supposed to be) because it's on the pin that should be ground except it doesn't Ohm out to zero.
I tried taking the ground from the TV and attached it to the trailer but no joy.

So thanks for all the info, I'll just look at it as an adventure