Trailer lighting question

[m_c]

A trailer from 1994 isn't likely to have had reverse lights, as that would be before 13 pin became a thing in the UK.
I don't think I've ever came across a trailer or caravan that actually used the 7S plug for reverse lights.

Personally if I was re-wiring any trailer now, I'd be fitting a 13pin plug, and if replacing the rear lights, fitting ones with reverse lights.

 

[bigegg]

A trailer from 1994 isn't likely to have had reverse lights, as that would be before 13 pin became a thing in the UK.
I don't think I've ever came across a trailer or caravan that actually used the 7S plug for reverse lights.

Personally if I was re-wiring any trailer now, I'd be fitting a 13pin plug, and if replacing the rear lights, fitting ones with reverse lights.

That's my plan.

It originally didn't have reverse lights (as far as I can tell), but i'll be fitting them anyway
It's going to be a camping trailer, so the potential to be reversing in the dark is high

 

[m_c]

In which case you will need two 7 way waterproof junction boxes, one near the front and one at the rear. front marker lights and lead terminate in the front box, one seven core to the rear box and all the rear lights/side markers are fed from that.

Bob

This sort of thing

View attachment 393605

Ever used this style? - https://www.trailparts.co.uk/Products/cable-connection-boxes-wiring-looms/EL270

The Ifor Williams trailers my brother has came with them, and they make life far easier.
I'd only fit one near the rear though, then just run two core from there to the front markers.

 

[bigegg]

I'll just be using the standard "adaptable junction boxes" from Screwfix.
Cheap enough, and ip68 rated.

 

[Erie Fred]

Ever used this style? - https://www.trailparts.co.uk/Products/cable-connection-boxes-wiring-looms/EL270

The Ifor Williams trailers my brother has came with them, and they make life far easier.
I'd only fit one near the rear though, then just run two core from there to the front markers.

Very interesting discussion, I've repaired a few, fixed up rat's nest's of past repairs
by putting this box on:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Buyers-Products/3375601101.html

I tack welded water pipe (1/2" size) along the frame to run the wires in, not with fittings and boxes, just for the long straight runs, leave a 2" gap at the corners, and at the axles for the brake wires to exit. Much better than simply tie wrapping the stuff along the frame and hoping for the best.

 

[bigegg]

Very interesting discussion, I've repaired a few, fixed up rat's nest's of past repairs
by putting this box on:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Buyers-Products/3375601101.html

I tack welded water pipe (1/2" size) along the frame to run the wires in, not with fittings and boxes, just for the long straight runs, leave a 2" gap at the corners, and at the axles for the brake wires to exit. Much better than simply tie wrapping the stuff along the frame and hoping for the best.

I'll be using 20mm steel conduit [1] as I already have a stack from a job I stripped recently.

[1] I'm guessing the US equivalent is ¾" EBT?)

 

[Mick Annick]

In which case you will need two 7 way waterproof junction boxes, one near the front and one at the rear. front marker lights and lead terminate in the front box, one seven core to the rear box and all the rear lights/side markers are fed from that.

Bob

This sort of thing

View attachment 393605

Unless it’s an Ifor Williams, where the front marker lamp wiring runs all the way to the rear lamps, both sides, and then forwards again to the front

 

[Cobbler]

Unless it’s an Ifor Williams, where the front marker lamp wiring runs all the way to the rear lamps, both sides, and then forwards again to the front

Less joints in the wire to give trouble?

 

[Mick Annick]

Less joints in the wire to give trouble?

Same number of joints - the front marker lamp wires are wired into the rear lamps

 

[Cobbler]

Same number of joints - the front marker lamp wires are wired into the rear lamps

But you lose a junction in the main cable, one cable front to back.

 

[Mick Annick]

But you lose a junction in the main cable, one cable front to back.

True

 

[8ob]

Unless it’s an Ifor Williams, where the front marker lamp wiring runs all the way to the rear lamps, both sides, and then forwards again to the front

The less exposed cable runs the better as far as I am concerned Mick, quite like @bigegg and @Eric the chicken `s idea of running a steel tube/conduit front to back to protect/retain the cable in place. Got to rewire a couple of the trailers, think I will go with the 12/24v leds so they are good to go behind the pickups and the trucks.

Bob

 

[bigegg]

The less exposed cable runs the better as far as I am concerned Mick, quite like @bigegg and @Eric the chicken `s idea of running a steel tube/conduit front to back to protect/retain the cable in place. Got to rewire a couple of the trailers, think I will go with the 12/24v leds so they are good to go behind the pickups and the trucks.

Bob

If you need something flexible, shower hose is quite good.

 

[Mick Annick]

The less exposed cable runs the better as far as I am concerned Mick, quite like @bigegg and @Eric the chicken `s idea of running a steel tube/conduit front to back to protect/retain the cable in place. Got to rewire a couple of the trailers, think I will go with the 12/24v leds so they are good to go behind the pickups and the trucks.

Bob

I need to flip mine over at some point and rewire it, the original Ifor main cable was in a plastic sleeve stapled to the floor. I replaced it a couple of years ago when water started getting in the ends, it currently sits in some plastic trunking. I’l swap the Haldex lamps at the same time for LEDs to smarten things up. It’s still in good shape for a 24 year old trailer, gets used once or twice a week.