Running Wire Through Trailer

[Zoob]

So, as I was fixing a hole I drilled through my boat this weekend, I took a closer look at the wiring inside my trailer. All the lights work fine, but the wiring seemed a little stiff (as if water got into the sheathing and started corrosion) and old.

I figured, what the heck, I'll run new wire. I picked up a trailer light kit, that had all the wiring in it.

The question is this - I'd really like to run wiring through the trailer frame like it was. Sitting here now, I realize I could've tied the new wire to the old wire and pulled it through - but of course, me being me - I have already pulled the old wire out of the inside of the frame.

What's an easy way of running wire through that 3x3 bar frame? I really don't want to run it outside the framing and ziptie it to the trailer if I don't have to - but I also don't see fishing a chain of coat-hangers through the trailer, either.

 

[Zoob]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

I suppose I could go buy a guinea pig, tie the wire to him, and put food at the other end - then shove him in. I run the risk of trailering a dead guinea pig for the rest of the trailer's life, though.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

a length of mechanics wire straighten out/ fished through, tape new wire on end, pull through. really easy

 

[jmfrost]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

Pick up some, "fish tape," from Lowe's or Home Depot for about $15. Maybe a little expensive for this particular project, but I've found that I use it for all kinds of stuff in the house.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_7529-12704-31-012_0_?productId=1100117&Ntt=fish&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=fish

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

we used to use a styro-foam cup with a heavy thread atached and blow threw frame with shop air if you have a large compressor, or a shop vac with hose on out let

 

[Zoob]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

The styrofoam cup and air compressor is a neat idea. I may try that, that's cheap and readily available.

I didn't even think that I could also just go get a length of non-threaded wiring (ie., solid wiring) - that's a bunch more stiff and could be used for pushing a line through. It's "mostly" straight, except where it bows in at the stern like most trailers.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

I like the guinea pig idea! After all, they used cats to run cable when they built Hoover Dam.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

Buy a (I think its called) "Snake" from HD or Lowes, its for running electrical wire, it looks like an orange donut and has about 30' of bendable metal that you unravel like a tape measure and push through the trailer (or where ever you're running it).

It costs about 20 bucks, you'll only use it a few times (works great around the house) but when you do use it, I can gurantee you will repeat the words "this is the best 20 dollars I've ever spend" to yourself!

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

Some twine with a knotted rag tied to the end, suck it through with a good shop vac. Used this method to pull some bailing twine through underground pvc conduit, then used the twine to pull a 100amp service through the pvc to a garage.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

A piece of Styrofoam and fishing line. Tie line to foam, stick in open end of trailer frame, use garden hose with nozzle to blast the foam to the other end, where you retrieve it and the fishing line it pulled through. Take it from there.

Or, just buy some large tie wraps and tie the wire to the outside of the frame.

Either way works.

 

[Thundra]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

We have this cheap store called Ocean State Job Lot, has the toilet snakes for $5.95 and they work great and are cheap.

I've also used long pieces of bamboo that we have from when my Mom planted the things and they grow to 10'+. Tied a string/wire onto one end and shoved it on through.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

fish tape...

 

[Zoob]

Re: Running Wire Through Trailer

We have this cheap store called Ocean State Job Lot, has the toilet snakes for $5.95 and they work great and are cheap.

I've also used long pieces of bamboo that we have from when my Mom planted the things and they grow to 10'+. Tied a string/wire onto one end and shoved it on through.

I did just this - and thanks everyone for the great advice. I realized I had a toilet snake in my basement (unused even, because it ended up being a problem with the mains) - tied some fishing line to it, and snaked away. Worked great.

Thanks again, everyone - for the advice. Great tips. I love this place.