Should Butyl Tape Or A Sealant Be Used When Installing Outlet On RV With Aluminum Siding?

Updated 11/17/2025 | Published 10/20/2025

Question:

Not a lot of videos on installing the outlet on a rv with aluminum siding, will the included gasket prevent any gaps? Or should I use caulk or some butyl tape?

asked by: Jay

Expert Reply:

Hello Jay, thanks for reaching out. Yes, you would want to use butyl tape or a non-sag sealant for that. The gasket by itself would not be enough to fully weatherproof the hole. Maybe we will try to get a video of that next time we see an aluminum trailer here at our shop for electrical work.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Jesse M.

11/13/2025

Hey Jay, how did sealing the SmartPlug power inlet on your RV’s aluminum siding go? Your update could make it easier for others working on the same kind of install.

Jay

11/15/2025

@JesseM I will let you know soon as I decided to let etrailer do the install based on your comment. I agreed that there are not any good videos on a SmartPlug being install on an aluminum siding. It would be interesting to see and share with the those of us that have RVs with aluminum siding.

Jesse M.

11/17/2025

@Jay Thanks, Jay! That sounds great. I appreciate you letting us handle the install. I’m really curious to see how it turns out on the aluminum siding. Definitely share pics or notes when you can; it’ll help a lot of us in the same boat.