how much current do trailer lights draw

Trailer lights are an essential safety item for anyone operating a trailer. Properly functioning lights help to clearly mark your trailer’s position and can help to avoid potential accidents when in transit. But how much current do they draw?

Understanding how much current your trailer lights draw is key to knowing if your vehicle has the capacity to power them correctly. Most trailer lights draw between 0.5 to 1 amp of current each when illuminated. This means having two lamps powered at once can draw up to 2 amps, but that is rarely the case as most lamps have both a tail light and turn signal function. This will bring the total current draw to around 1.5 to 2 amps.

It’s also important to note that not all trailer lights are created equal. Some may draw more or less than this value depending on the hardware used. LED trailer lamps usually have lower current consumption than incandescent variants, which is handy for vehicles with lower-capacity electrical systems. For instance, the minimum requirement in the U.S for trailer lights is 13.8V, 7.5A, meaning that connecting even 2 LED lights to this setup would not exceed the supply's capacity.

In conclusion, understanding how much current your trailer lights draw is key to ensuring your vehicle has the capacity to power them. As a general rule, you can expect trailer lights to draw between 0.5 to 1 amp each, with LED lamps drawing closer to the lower end of this range. Consider any additional features such as side markers, reflectors, or brakes when calculating total draw capacity in order to ensure a safe road journey.

Trailer Wiring Diagram Lights Brakes Routing Wires Connectors