Trailer Wiring Question

[owenmpk]

I am new to this group but can weigh in on trailer wiring. I have had sailboat trailers for ~30 years and always was disgusted on how poorly the wiring was run / protected. I have come up with 2 solutions.
1. Run wires inside drip irrigation tubing to protect from sun and bumps
2. Purchase orange 110 V 16-12 ga construction extension cord. I have found this solution very good for the connection from car to trailer.

[Mitheral]

2. Purchase orange 110 V 16-12 ga construction extension cord. I have found this solution very good for the connection from car to trailer.

All my trailer and truck deck wiring is done with outdoor extension cords. It's often cheaper than buying the wire individually and the wire is better protected by the double jacket.

[mikeschn]

I am new to this group but can weigh in on trailer wiring. I have had sailboat trailers for ~30 years and always was disgusted on how poorly the wiring was run / protected. I have come up with 2 solutions.
1. Run wires inside drip irrigation tubing to protect from sun and bumps
2. Purchase orange 110 V 16-12 ga construction extension cord. I have found this solution very good for the connection from car to trailer.

Owen,

Welcome to the forum...

Yes, that's a good idea... I always rag on Chell for using colors that are non standard... but I suppose that could be overcome with a good schematic that becomes part of the teardrop.

Mike...

[GPW]

Hey Guys !!! While we're wiring up the trailer outside , does anybody know how many lights you really need on the outside , side markers , clearance lights , etc... will reflectors work ???

[alaska teardrop]

Federal Lighting Standards:

www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/standards/ ... rpstr.html

[GPW]

AT , Thanks !!! Sure want to be Legal !!!!

[GPW]

Sorry , another question ..... How do they measure trailer width(That 80 " thing ) , the width of the bed or overall width , tires fenders et all ...????

[Arne]

Until I got a crop of trailers, when I had only one, I always used an extension cord for wiring my trailer. I was very sturdy, had an outside sheath and worked well..... 3 wires with an iffy ground through the trailer ball.... I could hear static in the radio when I hit bumps the ground came and went and the lights flickered..... I even used the 3 prong plug....

Unfortunately with multiple trailers and 6-to-4 converters, I'm gone straight and now have the same crappy wiring as most others....... but, even the junk they sell is not that bad if used correctly (my way/g/).....

First and foremost, I secure it every foot or so (the state law here says it must be secured every 18"). Where it passes through holes in the frame, I goop some silicon on so it won't chaf.... I could run it through tubing, but don't know if that buys me a lot, as where the tube is, the wire is out of the sun anyway... Actually, considering the wiring is outside, it works pretty well.... if I get more anal than I am, I'll put amorall or something on the exposed-to-the-sun portion, something with uv protection... that will fix them buggers.... I'd still like a better plug, but I keep it clean and it works most of the time.

[madjack]

Sorry , another question ..... How do they measure trailer width(That 80 " thing ) , the width of the bed or overall width , tires fenders et all ...????

(techno speak...beware) ...from the further most sticking out thingie on the right side to the further most sticking out thingie on the left side(this includes all thingies, such as bolt heads, wires, latches and lights etc)
madjack

[Nitetimes]

Sorry , another question ..... How do they measure trailer width(That 80 " thing ) , the width of the bed or overall width , tires fenders et all ...????

Width is measured to the widest part of the trailer be it fenders or something else like stake pockets. The sidewalls of your tires can be wider than the fenders and it doesn't count but the tread area has to be covered (in most states)

[Melvin]

Until I got a crop of trailers, when I had only one, I always used an extension cord for wiring my trailer. I was very sturdy, had an outside sheath and worked well..... 3 wires with an iffy ground through the trailer ball....

You just need two extension cords with different coloured jackets. This gets you 6 wires, 4 for lights and the other two for accesories like backup lights and data transmission.

[GPW]

ARGH !!!! That puts me well over the 80" thingie ... Mines slightly over 8 feet wide by about 1/2 inch .... RUH ROH !!! Now I need even more lighting /reflectors ... gonna' look like a Float !!!!
Extension cord is a great idea for the weatherproof wiring ...cool !!!

[bg]

If you give South West Wheel a call, they sell 4, 6 and 7 conductor trailer cable enclosed just like an extension cord. No idea on pricing or minimums, But I saw it in there warehouse back in August.