Help Me Wire My Trailer Items

[wardj69]

I purchased a Smittybilt Scout Trailer in 2020. I have finally finished attaching my exterior boxes and now need to run wiring throughout the trailer for the fridge, lights, 12v, etc., and my concern is: how do I maintain water tight compartments but needing to drill between the attached boxes and main trailer box. I do not wish to run my wires underneath my trailer as I feel an off road trailer exposes those wire to many hazards. Just looking for suggestions and ideas. I have, but not installed in the front box, 2 x 100ah lithium batteries, NOCO charger, REDARC 12v BCBC charger, and solar.

Please recommend options. In need of help.

 

[Silver Rover]

I purchased a Smittybilt Scout Trailer in 2020. I have finally finished attaching my exterior boxes and now need to run wiring throughout the trailer for the fridge, lights, 12v, etc., and my concernI is: how do I maintain water tight compartments but needing to drill between the attached boxes and main trailer box. I do not wish to run my wires underneath my trailer as I feel an off road trailer exposes those wire to many hazards. Just looking for suggestions and ideas. I have, but not installed in the front box, 2 x 100ah lithium batteries, NOCO charger, REDARC 12v BCBC charger, and solar.

Please recommend options. In need of help.

You can purchase waterproof wiring connectors and if needed flexible conduit at Lowes or Home depot

 

[wardj69]

You can purchase waterproof wiring connectors and if needed flexible conduit at Lowes or Home depot

How would you drill through trailer walls?

 

[Silver Rover]

You can purchase waterproof wiring connectors and if needed flexible conduit at Lowes or Home depot

How would you drill through trailer walls?

How thick are they? Less than 1/4 inch I would use a step drill bit & a electric drill, both available at Lowes or Home Depot or Harbor freight

 

[OTH Overland]

Are your boxes bolted up tight to each other with no gap between them? there are watertight bulkhead fittings designed to allow wires to exit to the exterior of an enclosure, but they are expensive and hard to feed additional wire thru later, if you are just going box to box you only need to seal the water from getting into the box, the passage thru can remain open, perhaps you could use a threaded metal conduit nipple with gasketed nuts each side, if the boxes have a gap you may have trouble keeping the nuts tight and sealed as thingsf flex. Make sure to protect the wires from sharp edges.

 

[Silver Rover]

Are your boxes bolted up tight to each other with no gap between them? there are watertight bulkhead fittings designed to allow wires to exit to the exterior of an enclosure, but they are expensive and hard to feed additional wire thru later, if you are just going box to box you only need to seal the water from getting into the box, the passage thru can remain open, perhaps you could use a threaded metal conduit nipple with gasketed nuts each side, if the boxes have a gap you may have trouble keeping the nuts tight and sealed as thingsf flex. Make sure to protect the wires from sharp edges.

View attachment 243541View attachment 243542

And a bead of silicone

 

[OTH Overland]

I have also used iron pipe flanges in each compartment thru bolted to each other with a rubber gasket slipped thru the hole and placed between the faces of the two boxes, the four bolts seem to do a good job of keeping the boxes pressed against each other sandwiching the gasket. good variety of sizes too.

 

[wardj69]

Do you have any pic of those items you referenced?

 

[wardj69]

Thanks for the pic. I was looking at marine bulk head items but was not sure what would be best.

 

[Old Tanker]

I would use a marine grade cable seal - plenty of options available from West Marine. They are made to pass wires through boat decks and roofs in an ocean environment. Search for "cable seal" and "cable clam".

 

[Mtnmn99]

I used the following to wire my trailer. I have enough gap to put one on both sides with some wire exposed for flexibility. I did add a bit of silicon to help.

 

[wardj69]

Are your boxes bolted up tight to each other with no gap between them? there are watertight bulkhead fittings designed to allow wires to exit to the exterior of an enclosure, but they are expensive and hard to feed additional wire thru later, if you are just going box to box you only need to seal the water from getting into the box, the passage thru can remain open, perhaps you could use a threaded metal conduit nipple with gasketed nuts each side, if the boxes have a gap you may have trouble keeping the nuts tight and sealed as thingsf flex. Make sure to protect the wires from sharp edges.

View attachment 243541View attachment 243542

Thanks for the suggestion - looks like it will work.

 

[wardj69]

I used the following to wire my trailer. I have enough gap to put one on both sides with some wire exposed for flexibility. I did add a bit of silicon to help.

Thanks.

 

[wardj69]

I would use a marine grade cable seal - plenty of options available from West Marine. They are made to pass wires through boat decks and roofs in an ocean environment. Search for "cable seal" and "cable clam".

I will surely use marine grade products. Trying to keep everything watertight.

 

[wardj69]

Thanks for the suggestion - looks like it will work.

There are small gaps between boxes. Water will enter if not sealed tight.

 

[wardj69]

Thanks for the suggestion - looks like it will work.

Also - i am hoping the rhino lining i used will heip. Plan is to follow-up with final spray can rhino lining for spot protection.

 

[Mtnmn99]

I used the following to wire my trailer. I have enough gap to put one on both sides with some wire exposed for flexibility. I did add a bit of silicon to help.

Thanks.

Happy it helped