A trailer light converter that is configured to operate lights of a towed vehicle from signals supplied from lighting circuits of a towing vehicle includes at least one input that is adapted to be connected with the lighting circuits of a towing vehicle and at least one output that is adapted to be connected with the lights of a towed vehicle. At least one switch is provided that is responsive to a signal applied to the at least one input to supply electrical power to the at least one output to illuminate at least one light of the towed vehicle. The at least one switch includes a switching transistor and an overload protector. The at least one switch is responsive to the signal applied to the at least one input to change to a low impedance state to supply power to the at least one output. The overload protector is responsive to an overload condition on the at least one output to turn the at least one switch to a high impedance state to remove power from the least one output.