How Should I Rewire A 1957 General Travel Trailer?

by Jay
(Elkhart IN)

The trailer in question has 2 20 amp screw in fuses but the outside plug in has been cut off.
I used some 14 gauge outdoor wire and plugged it into the box at the park where it is sitting. the lights are all working but it has no fridge in it yet.

The electric water heater is not running and has a cut out for a air conditioner. Should I go to a lower gauge wire to plug into the box so that when the above mentioned items are plugged in, I don't just blow the fuses?

What gauge do you recommend?

Thank you for the help.

ANSWER Greetings Jay thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

Let me start off by saying that I am not an expert on the wiring of vintage travel trailers. If it were me I would use the original gauge or even a 10 gauge wire to plug your Travel Trailer into a power source. The old type fuses will only blow when the demand from your trailer's appliances exceed their 20 amp rating. Using a 10 gauge wire will prevent the power supply cord from overheating.

That being said, you are dealing with a travel trailer that is over 50 years old and you are dealing with wiring that is over 50 years old. This might not be the only problem you will run into when working on this trailer.

I am going to list some resources here for you to visit. The links below are to some Vintage Trailer Forums that are available on the internet. The members of these forums are either rebuilding or have rebuilt vintage travel trailers. So, they would be far better equipped to answer questions on some the problems you may run into in completing your project. I would suggest that you join at least one if not all of these forums.

Repairing Yesterdays Trailers Vintage Travel Trailer and RV. Renovation Discussion

Tin Can
Tourist Forums

USA Vintage Trailer Network

Hopefully this information will be helpful to you. If any of our visitors have any suggestions for you they can add them to this page by clicking on the add a comment located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

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