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Post by ranchbarbie on Jun 23, 2016 13:38:16 GMT -8
Hi, I am looking to buy my first trailer and I've found one that I just love but I have some questions maybe some of you can help me with. I'm concerned about the wiring. It's my understanding that the wiring in these older trailers is aluminum. The seller says they had an electrician replace any wiring that didn't work. Are there issue with having different types of wiring? If there are remnants of aluminum wiring in it, are there limitations on what I can run? For example a ceramic heater or upgraded appliances?
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Post by vikx on Jun 23, 2016 20:08:25 GMT -8
Welcome Ranchbarbie.
Most vintage trailers never had aluminum wiring. It was used in a few (Kit Companions and Kenskill? Kencraft?) from the mid 60s to the early 70s. A 56 would not have had aluminum wiring.
Also, the wiring is often OK in an older trailer. An electrician can inspect it for you. As far as using the system, it is doubtful you will be able to run appliances or an electric heater unless the wiring and inlet have been upgraded to 30 amps. These older hams were designed to run lights and maybe a small fan, rather than appliances. The wiring just won't support heavy amp loads.
I would be a lot more concerned about the structure of the trailer than the wiring. Many times the older hams are quite rotten if they haven't been rebuilt. Also, ask for photos of any work done.
We should be able to evaluate the trailer if you post some pix.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 24, 2016 4:42:24 GMT -8
Welcome!
I second the call for photos.
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Post by trailertrasher on Jun 27, 2016 5:04:04 GMT -8
On very rare occasion VIKX is mistaken. Your trailer very well could have aluminum wiring. You should have a qualified electrician look at it telling them your upgrade plans regardless of aluminum or copper and see what they say. If this is a larger trailer that you plan to set on a ranch,it may well already have 30 or even 50 amp service. Otherwise what VIKX says applies.
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Post by vikx on Jun 27, 2016 21:36:00 GMT -8
Thanks trailertrasher; I wasn't thinking larger trailers. From my info, aluminum wiring was used from the mid 60s to the early 70s in smaller vintage trailers. Note, I have had friend's mobile homes burn down from and firemen said "aluminum wiring". Not sure when they started/stopped using that type of wiring. Any more information? |
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Post by trailertrasher on Jun 27, 2016 21:55:43 GMT -8
Hi VIKX,
I've had a few in here. What comes to mind at the moment is a 53 Spartan, a 59 Boles and an early 60's Kit. All were 30' + however.
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Post by vikx on Jun 27, 2016 22:55:45 GMT -8
Thank you so much trailertrasher! We need to keep track of aluminum wiring. In itself, it isn't dangerous. It's the connections that heat at different rates that cause arcing. Also tempting to add just ONE MORE appliance to a circuit... |
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Post by trailertrasher on Jun 28, 2016 0:11:25 GMT -8
A microwave is always nice! <a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd106/amctogo/IMAG0953.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMAG0953.jpg"/></a> |
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 28, 2016 4:49:49 GMT -8
Whenever Trailertrasher posts a photo I stop and think, "Is there anything I need in that camper???"
(I'm not kidding.)
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 28, 2016 5:37:26 GMT -8
A microwave is certainly nice, but let us not forget that one should strive to color match all our appliances. A mismatched microwave could in itself give the impression the otherwise impeccable interior looks mismatched or even downright messy...fortunately this is not the case in the photo above.
Speaking of aluminum wiring I believe the use was much more prevalent in park model larger mobile homes. I have actually lived in 2 10X40 Mobile homes made in the 60's that had aluminum wiring. I contacted an electrician, and he said that "usually" if you periodically check the connections at the switch plates and plug-ins and keep the (tightening screw) wires tight, there is not much of a problem, but he did say he always recommends a separate line strictly for an AC. He also said you can usually tell if you have aluminum wiring by taking off face plates and just looking at the wires, and sure enough, it was pretty apparent (even to me) that both my trailers had aluminum.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Jun 28, 2016 15:51:38 GMT -8
The only Airstream I ever worked on burned to the ground because of aluminum wiring. And being an electrician I went through it and tightened all the connections before sleeping in it for the first time. Luckily neither I or the dog was in it when it burned. But because I was living in it at the time I lost everything I owned but the clothes on my back and the tools in my truck. I wouldn't own an Airstream if it was made of gold. And then I would just melt it down and buy something with wings.
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 29, 2016 6:07:10 GMT -8
The only Airstream I ever worked on burned to the ground because of aluminum wiring. And being an electrician I went through it and tightened all the connections before sleeping in it for the first time. Luckily neither I or the dog was in it when it burned. But because I was living in it at the time I lost everything I owned but the clothes on my back and the tools in my truck. I wouldn't own an Airstream if it was made of gold. And then I would just melt it down and buy something with wings. Speaking of all Vintage Things With Wings, a club I think mobiltec should form, I had a "Well DUH!" moment the other day. I ran across our Member Tyler's site where he offers his excellent reproduction Shasta wings. I was surprised and broke into a big grin when I realized he is also offering reproduction Scotty wings too. Maybe I am the last to discover this, but if there is anyone else out there besides me that did not know it, you now have a choice of cool wings to put on any camper without them. Here is what the Scotty wings look like. I'm not so sure I could live with owning a Scotty, and not winging it. I'm not a sales rep for Tyler, I just know what I really like when I see it. nastyshasty.blogspot.com/search/label/WINGS%20-%20For%20Sale%20%28Scotty%29 |
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