Any Coleman Valley Forge Wiring Gurus?

[o2jmpr]

If anyone out there knows about wiring on a '76 Valley Forge I could use your help!  

I have grounding issues for sure!  I just replaced the taillights.  The old lights did not have a separate ground and worked fine.  The new lights did have a ground and work fine once I grounded them.  My only issue is the front markers only work when I drive over the properly sized bump in the road!  

    There are (2) wires for electric brakes just dangling under the frame (no brakes installed) and I do not see a proper ground wire attached anywhere to the frame!?!?

    I would like the replace the harness all the way from the 4 wire flat at the TV back to the taillights.  The wiring runs through the frame and the owners manual says there is an access hatch at the rear left corner.  All I found was a threaded cap about 1/4" that leads to no where!!  I can see the wires in the frame through the access holes for the cable lift system, but can not get to them.  I'm wondering if it's possible to take off the end cap at the back of the frame where the support strut for the rear bed hooks in and get to the wiring so I can pull a new lead through.  Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks so much!

[o2jmpr]

After reading some more forums, let me ask this.  Should I just cut the white ground wire several inches back from the trailers 4 wire plug and ground it directly to the frame with a bolt before I get carried away trying to replace the whole harness?

[CAPEd CODger]

Yes, try that first.  Be sure to scrape the metal down till it's shiny, then use a star washer to be sure the connection is good. Then paint it so it won't rust. Repeat this at the individual lamp sockets, if needed.

You can't have too many grounds.
 
Best of luck.

PS I had a Valley Forge, but never ran into the issuse with the lights, so I never had to re-wire the trailer.

Bob

[o2jmpr]

Bob, You the man!!  

    Thank you for the help!  I spoke with my father today about this who is a guru in all things mechanical, electrical and every other aspect of life (in my eyes anyway)  He said the exact same thing, Ground everything, you can't have too many.  I'm confident this will clear up my problems without re-wiring everything.  I also have a ground connection under the frame in the middle of the trailer that is paired with an electric brake line.  I will ground that one as well.  That should fix me up good

     I'm still confused though as to where all these wires go.  I understand they use the same harness for multiple trailers. Why don't the darn manufacturers set it up like above so you never have to worry about a good ground?

     Last weekend when I removed and replaced the tail lights there was no ground wire in the harness at that point.  Makes me wonder where it went?!?!?

Thank you for reading.

Derek