Surface mount or in-wall wiring? Opinions, please!

[Robin Bobula]

Progress on our conversion has come to a screeching halt while we debate floor plan and electrical wiring options. I had been hoping to continue the process of insulation, because the economy being what it is, we may be full-timing very soon. With that in mind, I was wondering...

What are the pros and cons of surface mounted wiring vs. in wall wiring? It seems most people do their wiring inside the wall, probably for aesthetic reasons. Are there any other considerations to each type of wiring? I'm not sure aesthetics matter as much to me now, just more want to have the trailer snug and liveable. My husband plans to do the wiring, but he's much more laid back about this process than I am.

Any opinions would be welcome!

Robin

[8ball_99]

The plus to surface mounting the wires is easily accessible later down the road should you need to change something and you can run your wires after the trailer us laid out.. The draw backs are it takes up more interior space and your wiring and boxes are sticking out where they are easy to catch or bump. And also like you said aesthetic..

[Wolfscout]

I have a mix of surface and in-wall. The in-walls I did were those that I had originally planned for the refrigerator and to have one for radio and light at the bed of the time.
Since then I've added a couple surface mounts because it is easier to add them to the surface and to move them around.
**( I have extra wire on them tucked into the upper roof curve just for that reason, also surface mounts drop down wiring from there.)

My two outside receptacles are both in-wall to prevent snagging on bushes and such getting into tight camping areas like they sometimes have in the campgrounds in my area.

[Robin Bobula]

Thanks, 8ball_99 and Wolfscout, for your feedback!

After much debate and a trip to Lowe's to look at everything, we decided on surface mount wiring. The relatively shallow walls were pretty much the deciding factor, plus the ability to easily add extra things later should we need them. Not the prettiest solution, but the most practical for us.

Back to insulating...

Robin

[roadinspector]

Thanks Wolfscout and 8ball_99! You've convinced me to do the same. I have been debating that too. I may run it behind trim with drop down also. (Thinking out loud)

Wolfscout, I am planning on having my outside plugs recessed for a cleaner look and reduce snag problems. The depth of the receptacle box, I have not measured yet, will they extend into the interior of the CT? If they did, what did you do to hide that?

Earnest

[pete42]

Robin & Earnest
I like the look of conceled wiring but if done right the exposed wire runs can be placed behind overhead trim where the walls meet the roof.
flush mounting the outside recepitals would not make a whole lot of difference vs the surface mounted ones, but again I think flush just looks better.

I see you guys have reached the point where things are poping up you never thought about before buying, but it happens to everyone so keep asking
questions and all will end well.

pete

[pmowers]

Thanks Wolfscout and 8ball_99! You've convinced me to do the same. I have been debating that too. I may run it behind trim with drop down also. (Thinking out loud)

Wolfscout, I am planning on having my outside plugs recessed for a cleaner look and reduce snag problems. The depth of the receptacle box, I have not measured yet, will they extend into the interior of the CT? If they did, what did you do to hide that?

Earnest

Earnest- I used some shallow blue plastic boxes that I got at Lowes http://www.lowes.com/pd_72472-223-B108R-UPC_4294722504__?productId=1099179&Ntt=shallow+wall+electrical+boxto do my flush mount outside outlets. In the case of my CT (Lark 6x10 with Z-channel), when I mount the boxes on the skin of the CT, the back of the box almost touches the plywood lining the inside of the trailer. I am able to screw through the box flanges into the skin and then, by slightly trimming the foam gasket to make sure it fits inside of the weatherproof cover, silicone seal all around.

[jeff0520]

I'm going to have a line of low cabinets down one wall. The cabinets are going to be part of the support for the folding bed. I'm planning on running my wiring through the back of the cabinets, and putting my outlerts in the side of the cabinets or between doors. There will be a little 12v in the walls where there are not cabinets to hide it in, but I'm avoiding the in wall wiring as much as I can.

[roadinspector]

pete42,
Thanks for the info. I am going to use trim and cabinets to run it thru. I have seen also small channels that are designed to hide wires. I don't remember where, might have been an office supply. I've slept since then. Access to my internal outlets will be in sides of cabinets so I should not have any problem running exposed wiring. I too like flush mount external outlets. It looks like pmowers gave me a solution for my external outlets!

pmowers,
Thanks for your help. My wheels are turning so much lately I'm starting to smell smoke. Trying to get my ducks in a row so I don't get ahead of myself and have to back up because I left something out. I am sure I will, but thats ok, it's my toy so I can screw it up all I want. I greatly appreciate all the help from everyone here.
Earnest

[pmowers]

pete42,
Thanks for the info. I am going to use trim and cabinets to run it thru. I have seen also small channels that are designed to hide wires. I don't remember where, might have been an office supply. I've slept since then. Access to my internal outlets will be in sides of cabinets so I should not have any problem running exposed wiring. I too like flush mount external outlets. It looks like pmowers gave me a solution for my external outlets!

Earnest- My Lowes carries a large selection of what is called "cord surface raceway", and surface mount boxes. That is probably what you were thinking of. I am thinking of using it for the next phase of my never to be completely finished and as yet unnamed project.

pmowers,
Thanks for your help. My wheels are turning so much lately I'm starting to smell smoke. Trying to get my ducks in a row so I don't get ahead of myself and have to back up because I left something out. I am sure I will, but thats ok, it's my toy so I can screw it up all I want. I greatly appreciate all the help from everyone here.
Earnest

I hope it is not the "magic smoke" contained in electronics, you know, the equipment stops working when the smoke escapes. I think that I was close to burning out my brain clutch several times. As far as having to back up because you forgot something, well, my cordless driver has a reverse. Now if I could just find it on my saw
Pat

[roadinspector]

Earnest- My Lowes carries a large selection of what is called "cord surface raceway", and surface mount boxes. That is probably what you were thinking of. I am thinking of using it for the next phase of my never to be completely finished and as yet unnamed project.

Pat,
Yes sir, thats it. Glad to know Lowes carries it. Thanks I will check it out on my next trip to the big city.

I hope it is not the "magic smoke" contained in electronics, you know, the equipment stops working when the smoke escapes. I think that I was close to burning out my brain clutch several times. As far as having to back up because you forgot something, well, my cordless driver has a reverse. Now if I could just find it on my saw
Pat

Oh no "magic smoke" from the first power connect "smoke test" yet. My saw doesn't have a reverse either. Seems nobody offers that feature yet.
Thank you sir
Earnest