How to Add 12V Socket Wells Cargo Enclosed Trailer

Published 09/09/2021

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Optronics Backup Light for Trucks or Trailers - Submersible - Incandescent - Rectangle - Clear Lens

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Buyers Products Toggle Switch with 2 Blade Terminals - 12 Volt

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Question:

I have tried to find videos and every search brings me to your website. So I decided to ask the experts. I have a Wells Cargo enclosed trailer. I need to add 1 or maybe 2 if this works, cigarette style plugs - INSIDE. I want to plug in an ice chest that runs on the 12v cigarette plug whatever the technical term for that is!. The plug needs to be inside the trailer - so I know that means I need to tap into the light wiring for the rear tail lights. I realize the plug will only be live when the car is running. That is fine, when I stop places, I will take the ice chest into a hotel and run there at night. I cannot put the ice chest in the car. If I could make this work, Id also like to wire in some sort of interior lighting so when I stop at night, I can actually SEE inside the trailer. Id figure out the light source based on whatever wiring I can figure out for the ice chest. I am SURE there is a way to tap into the wiring. I just need to know what to purchase that I know will be the CORRECT item! And of course if there are any videos you are aware of to help, that would be great as well. THANK YOU!

asked by: Jeanine W

Expert Reply:

It's extremely likely that the taillight circuits on the trailer won't have enough power to run your ice chest and the taillights simultaneously, so you wouldn't want to power the cooler from your taillight circuits.

However, if your enclosed cargo trailer uses a 7-way trailer connector, there should be an active 12-v feed directly from the tow vehicle battery that could be used for this purpose. I'd recommend using the Hopkins # HM55115. The red wire from the outlet would connect to the 12-v feed from the battery using the provided inline fuse and the white wire would ground to the trailer frame.

The interior light can be tapped into the taillights though, especially if you use a low-draw LED fixture like # PET29FR. The black wire could be tapped into the running light circuit and would power up with the tow vehicle headlights. I'd install a switch like # 337SW9111 on the black power wire so you can turn the lamp off so it's not continually on when the trailer taillights are on. The white wire would ground to the trailer frame.

I've linked to a video showing a typical installation of the Hopkins # HM55115 outlet, as well as to a description video for the # PET29FR interior lamp I recommended.