Easy DIY RV Clearance Light Replacement and Tongue Jack Button Repair [With Video!]
- Victoria
- Feb 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Disclaimer
I am NOT an electrician. If you are uncomfortable working with electrical circuits, this DIY isn’t for you. You need basic knowledge of how to follow the circuit and understand where a battery/fuse/breaker needs to be disconnected to avoid electrocution. Follow this guide at your own risk.
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Getting Started on our DIY RV Repairs
We’ve settled into my new travel nurse assignment in Modesto, CA, and we’re finally tackling some long-overdue RV repairs:
A couple of our clearance lights have stopped working or completely fallen off.
One of our brake light covers is falling off and is currently (embarrassingly) held on by tape.
Our tongue jack motor stopped working, which means manually cranking the RV up and down—very inconvenient.
My stubborn DIY soul insists we try to fix everything ourselves first, so we researched what we needed.
Pro Tip: Double-Check Your Measurements
Before you buy anything, measure, double-measure, and triple-check your purchase. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had multiple browser tabs open, comparing prices and shipping, only to end up ordering something just slightly off in size. This turns what should be a simple repair into a week-long ordeal. Learn from our mistakes!
Clearance Light Replacement
Supplies
Alcohol (to remove adhesive)
Instructions
Ensure that your trailer is disconnected from your tow vehicle.
Use an X-Acto knife or putty knife to loosen the silicone on the old light.
Use a Phillips head screwdriver to pop the front of the light off.
Remove old screws and pull out the light.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WIRING! Take photos or a short video for reference.
Cut the wires and remove the old light.
Use a putty knife and alcohol to remove all old adhesive (new silicone doesn't stick well to old silicone).
Strip and connect the wires from the new light to the RV using wire nuts and electrical tape. If the new light’s wires have different colors, check the manufacturer’s diagram. Or you can test the connection by briefly hooking up the truck. Just don’t forget to disconnect again when you move on to the next light. If your lights have a gasket (like our button clearance lights), make sure the gasket is in place before connecting the wires, otherwise you won’t be able to put it in place.
Use the butyl tape to cover any old holes, on the back of the new light's screw holes, and around the perimeter of the back of the new light. This will help ensure that no moisture is able to get into your RV.
Screw the new light into place, ensuring proper orientation.
Apply a line of silicone caulk around the light. Use a gloved finger to smooth it out and a paper towel with alcohol to clean up the edges.
Voila! Road safety restored. But we weren’t done yet—on to the tongue jack!
Tongue Jack Button Replacement
Thankfully, after some inspection and testing with the multimeter, we decided that the button was probably our problem - not the motor. This was a relief, because replacing a button is much cheaper than replacing a motor or whole jack unit.
What We Own
Bastion Distribution Power Tongue Jack - 3500lb Capacity
Supplies
Alcohol (to remove adhesive)
Instructions
Remove the fuse from the tongue jack (follow the wire from the jack to the battery) or disconnect the battery.
Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the cover.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WIRING! Again, take photos or a short video for reference.
Cut the wires and remove the old switch.
Thread the new switch wires through the cover and connect them using wire nuts and electrical tape. *Our new switch wiring was completely different from the old wiring. A little research helped us figure it out, and I created a crude diagram. It may only apply to people that own the exact same jack as ours, but I hope it’s helpful to someone. See below.
Screw the cover back into place.
Apply a thin line of silicone caulk around the switch, smooth it out with a gloved finger, and clean up the edges with a paper towel and alcohol.
A Much-Needed Day Trip to Knights Ferry
After all this hard work, we treated ourselves to a day trip to Knights Ferry, CA, home to the oldest covered bridge west of the Mississippi and a charming historic downtown.
Check out our full episode to see our repairs in action and our hidden gem day trip here:
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About Project RV: Living Lost
Hi there! We’re Thomas and Victoria, a full-time RVing duo who have been living on the road since 2020. Along with our adventure pups, Oreo and Barley, we explore nature’s hidden gems, quirky small towns, and everything in between.
Our goal is to inspire others to embrace the joy of travel, share useful RV tips, and document the ups and downs of this wild lifestyle. Whether it’s DIY fixes, gear reviews, or travel recommendations, we’re here to help you navigate the RV life one mile at a time.
Follow along as we keep Living Lost—because sometimes the best adventures happen off the beaten path.
Thanks for reading, and happy travels!
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