What is the Best Way to Cut an Oval Hole in a Trailer Frame to Install a Backup Light

Updated 05/13/2015 | Published 05/11/2015

Question:

What is the procedure to cut the holes in the frame of the trailer? On my gooseneck flat bed trailer, I would have to penetrate the web of a 6inch channel iron to install the grommet mounted 4inch round lights, on my horse trailer it would be aluminum that I would have to penetrate to install grommet mounted 6inch oblong lights. This would let them match the existing light on the trailer.

asked by: Dan T

Expert Reply:

To cut an oval hole in a trailer for a light such as # BUL22CB what works well is a hole saw. You can drill a few holes, one after the other and then trim and shape the hole for the grommet and light to fit in using a cutting tool of your choice such as a powered rotary tool with a cutting wheel.

For hole saw drill bits you would want to go with something that has a smaller diameter than the height needed for the light. This is because you can always make a hole larger but if you cut it too large you would have to patch up the hole some by welding on new steel and start again.

expert reply by: Michael H