Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello all,

I could use any comments on my wall fabrication. I have read a lot of the posts and seen wall constructions. I want to build my teardrop 120vac only, besides the trailer turn light and brakes. I see everyone build theirs with a panel for walls. How do you guys run the electrical wires? I am planning on two or three flush dome lights to the cabin, at least three receptacles and one double switch. In the galley at least two receptacles and a dome light on the hatch. One exterior light on each side with the switch on the inside next to the switch that will control my cabin lights. So... all the switches, receptacles and the dome lights will be on the walls. Any suggestions. Oh, I am planning on using frp for my interior walls. White makes it look bigger and lights make it brighter. Any help would be useful.

Thank you

Carlos

I ran all my DC wiring in the insulated ceiling and mounted all my fixtures at the tops of the 3/4" plywood walls or in the ceiling so no wiring in the walls. All my DC lights have built in switches so no need for separate switches in the walls. I ran my two primary leads from the tongue mounted battery to a distribution center in my rear cabinets through wiremold in the floor under the mattress. Also ran my trailer lights to the rear through wiremold inside the cabin. All my AC came in through the inlet on the driver's side wall and directly into a dedicated electrical cabinet that housed my Progressive Dynamics 4045 power center. All wiring to the AC outlets for the interior of the cabin and to the galley are hidden in the cabinet area. I posted lots of pics in my journal if you want more detail.

Thank you Larry,

I looked at your pics and got a lot of ideas. Well knowing me, hardheaded and all I want switches on the walls, ha ha ha ha. I'll see if some 2x2s along the sides and run wires to switches might work. Like the walls on your trailer. I was thinking frp but maybe that type paneling you have looks better. Again, thanks for your help and ideas.

Carlos

ocasioc25 wrote:Thank you Larry,

I was thinking frp but maybe that type paneling you have looks better.

Carlos

My side walls were simply 3/4" cabinet grade plywood painted on both sides. I used bead board on the two end walls and cabinets. Inside the cabin, I used leftover house paint in light green for the walls and cabinets and leftover snow white kitchen paint for the ceiling. You are right about the lighter colors making it feel larger on the inside. The white ceiling also reflects a lot of the light from the fixtures making it brighter all over the cabin.

With solid walls, wires end up going in the ceiling or under the floor. I used switches and plugs, ran the wires in the cabinets and mounted them in the same. One of the cabinets is for all the electrical junctions.





The cabinet on the left is just for electrical.

Thanks guys for all the info. I need to view things in a different aspect. I was thinking wall switches and lights on the ceiling like a house. I'll do some more investigating around the forum and use those ideas. I have been looking at recessed lights for the cabin and galley. Right now all I have is a floor and a thousand ideas running through my head. Again, thanks for all your ideas and they are of great help.

Carlos

did decor switchs and oulets. I did 3/4 plywood for the spacing with a 3/4 ply side and i routed out some pockets to make the switches fit. i cut the back of electrical outlet boxes.

Carlos, if you decide to also use 12 volt lights and outlets here are some suppliers you can get electrical parts from:

Sailor Sams http://www.sailorsams.com/Rocker-Switches_c_2125.html has 12 volt switches you can inset in a wall. They have LED lights too. I bought FRILIGHT dual rocker switches with brass colored trim from them.

Vintage Trailer Supply http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Interior_Lighting_s/131.htm is another source of switches, lights, and more goodies.

Best Converter http://www.bestconverter.com/PD4045-45-Amp-Inteli-Power-Mighty-Mini-Power-Center_p_353.html sells the Progressive Dynamics PD 4045 Power Center, favored by many folks here, at a competitive price. They have more electrical goodies too.

Del City Electrical Supplies http://www.delcity.net/ has about the best prices and selection for wire, wire terminals, and much more. Tip, if you click on the Online Chat/help button during business hours they are very helpful, and may offer you a discount code. A junction box http://www.delcity.net/store/Stud-Type-Junction-Box/p_790202 for your under floor trailer wiring is useful. I've purchased from them multiple times..very pleased with products, value and delivery time.

R & P Carriages http://stores.ebay.com/R-and-P-Carriages-Trailer-Sales EBAY store has a big selection of interior and exterior lights and much more. One thing I like about shopping on their website is that they post multiple photos of a product like lights (with them on) so it take away much of the guesswork wondering if the part will work like you want/need. I have yet to buy anything from them. Have read here that others have been pleased.

Hello my friends. Here we go again. It's been a couple of weeks since I posted here about the walls. I guess I decided to run my cables over and under the trailer. I'll be building my walls with 1/2 inch plywood, 1" x 3" slats inside and then cover the inside wall with 1/8" FRP and insulate it with a closed cell plastic foam. The foam I can get from work that come in boxes to protect materials and they scrap them afterwards. So far right now I have the trailer leaning on the fence, tongue up in the air, wheels facing me so I can paint the underneath with truck bedliner paint. It's Herculiner Truck bed paint. Have to sand the frame a bit to knock off the glossy shine off the paint and then paint it. I did check with Rhino Liners and they were asking for $500.00 to paint it. Well I guess if this keeps a truck bed sealed it might as well work on the bottom of the trailer. I'll post my pics as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for all the help and advice.

Carlos