Routing of land power line

[bsaa10bill]

Still working on my 1968 Safari, just finished plumbing bathroom and about to build cabinets which will contain electrical box and wiring. I need advice on how to route the plug in 30 amp wire from the electrical box inside the trailer to the outside of the trailer. If I just run it out the back removable access panel then I can't put panel cover back on while plugged in,allowing all sorts of stuff in. How did Airstream do it originally? Considering mounting exterior female connector but I'd rather not cut hole in skin if I don't have to.

[rmkrum]

I understand the reluctance to punch a hole in the shiny aluminum. However, the best bet is to install an external female socket.

There are several types available. I'm using the SmartPlug 30 amp system

Example: https://www.amazon.com/SmartPlug-B30...artplug+30+amp

Marinco or Furion is another brand in use, twist-lock design.

I prefer the SmartPlug system because it fits better, does not overheat, and is very tidy looking. Designed for use on boats. Search forums for "SmartPlug" for more data...

Modern Airstreams have the sewer, water, electrical, and Television ports at the streetside rear corner for convenience, all with external connections.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by bsaa10bill

Still working on my 1968 Safari, just finished plumbing bathroom and about to build cabinets which will contain electrical box and wiring. I need advice on how to route the plug in 30 amp wire from the electrical box inside the trailer to the outside of the trailer. If I just run it out the back removable access panel then I can't put panel cover back on while plugged in,allowing all sorts of stuff in. How did Airstream do it originally? Considering mounting exterior female connector but I'd rather not cut hole in skin if I don't have to.

Inside the rear bumper storage, there should be an opening near the extreme left (drivers) side corner. If I remember correctly, about a 1" hole with a grommet.

The power cord would have gone through that opening. From there I've see the connection made two ways. The power cord will either go all the way to the electric panel, or there will be a junction box in an accessible location where the power cord joins to a 10 gauge (Romex) NM cable that runs to the electric panel. If you are doing all new, you could mount a junction box inside the bumper storage area.

Originally, the power cord would be coiled and stored inside the bumper area.

I'm in the school of no new holes. Hooking it up inside eliminates an exterior connection point and the associated problems, and no one can roll up your cord and take it with them without cutting it.

[A W Warn]

There is a drawing of the electric layout in the Owners Manual on page 65.
You can download it here>
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...-0004.085c.pdf

[JRF0st3r]

Our '67 Safari came with a "mouse hole" cut into the access hatch cover for the shore connecting cable but we preferred to keep mice out. Our solution was to drill a hole in bottom of rear utility access trunk to route cable into bumper trunk where the cable is coiled for storage or routed through a hole in the bottom to connect to the 30 amp AC outlet.

[68 TWind]

The 67's had the "mouse hole door"as mentioned above. On my 68 Tradewind the power chord enters the trailer on the curb side through a hole in the floor right under the breaker box which is mounted on the wall just to the right side (looking at the rear hatch) about 8 inches in from the opening of the rear hatch. The chord exits the trailer into the bumper trunk. I considered installing an external socket like the new trailers have but I wanted to keep things original and after 9 years and lots of use I'm glad I did it the way I did. It is simple and one less connection to have potential issue with in years to come. I can send you pics if you need them, just PM me.

[gklott]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

I understand the reluctance to punch a hole in the shiny aluminum. However, the best bet is to install an external female socket. There are several types available. I'm using the SmartPlug 30 amp system

I prefer the SmartPlug system because it fits better, does not overheat, and is very tidy looking. Designed for use on boats. Search forums for "SmartPlug" for more data.

Agree - drill the hole and mount the 30A SmartPlug.



73/gus