DIY Trailer Wiring: How Legal Is It?

[aaron_c]

I'm buying what is essentially a fancy cargo trailer that I will convert into something that I live in. Obviously (since I'm on this forum!) this will involve wiring it up myself electrically. However a friend of mine from Canada warned me that when she did this she had to have a an electrician do the electrical bits for insurance reasons but also because many campsites wouldn't allow her to camp there unless her trailer's electric was "certified."

So my question is: What's the situation in the USA regarding DIY electrical setups for RV's, both in terms of insurance and in terms of being allowed to camp somewhere? It seems like a lot of folks are doing DIY electrical, but in many cases that's a DIY addition to what was already installed by the factory. Does this make a difference?

Thanks so much!

 

[Supervstech]

It depends on what you are doing.
If you are si.ply feeding a charge controller, and plugging devices to it, you shouldn't have any issues.
If you are setting up a fully wired, lighted system with shore power plug in, an electrician should be used.
You might be able to apply for a permit in the county you live in to certify your own wiring... but you would need to pass their test to apply.

 

[aaron_c]

OK, thanks @Supervstech.

So it sounds like the big question is whether I plug into shore power. If I never plug into shore power then I should be fine DIYing it. That sounds doable.

 

[Supervstech]

OK, thanks @Supervstech.

So it sounds like the big question is whether I plug into shore power. If I never plug into shore power then I should be fine DIYing it. That sounds doable.

Well... certainly plugging into shore power is a valid rejection for uncertified diy wiring... but just because you don’t plan to use shore power is no reason not to use an electrician, or get an inspection on the wiring.

we electricians are not sorcerers, we don’t have any skills that ANYBODY can’t learn and follow... heck, the rule book we all follow is available online free usually. What matters is the wiring is properly installed and is safe.
DIY, or PRO... AS LONG AS IT IS DONE CORRECTLY...

 

[HaldorEE]

You could also hire an electrician to review your design before you start then inspect the installation after you are done.

There are no permits to pull or building inspectors to satisfy so this should be very closed ended for the electrician. Have him create an inspection report and keep it in your RV. That way you can show it was inspected by a licensed electrician if the question ever comes up. It could come in handy when you decide to sell also.

I am going to do this with my Van RV conversion.

I just need to find an electrician who is experienced with working on RVs. Should be no problem finding one here in Phoenix.

 

[chrisski]

So it sounds like the big question is whether I plug into shore power. If I never plug into shore power then I should be fine DIYing it. That sounds doable.

Just being from Phoenix, I’d change that statement to something like “Never stay at a place with shore Power.” All that work to get me somewhere, I’d hate to have hooked up at the campsite late one night on a seven day trip, only to find out that the camp host requires that cert. Odds Of this happening, not much. Most places I’ve went to say no trailers over 20 years old, no exceptions, but there’s always one or two of these at the campground.

 

[HaldorEE]

Just being from Phoenix, I’d change that statement to something like “Never stay at a place with shore Power.” All that work to get me somewhere, I’d hate to have hooked up at the campsite late one night on a seven day trip, only to find out that the camp host requires that cert. Odds Of this happening, not much. Most places I’ve went to say no trailers over 20 years old, no exceptions, but there’s always one or two of these at the campground.

I have heard of a 10 year limit. Wonder if that would apply to a van conversion? I think as long as your RV looks good and you don't cause problems, I doubt if this would ever come up.

My 2007 Ford E350 RV conversion born dare will be 2020 (if I get off my butt and get it finished this fall).

Phoenix just set a recod for all time hotest month on record (average daily temp was 99, and this included the evenings).

As you can imagine working on the van has been mental than physical for the last few months.