Wiring mess

ADR · June 01, 2019, 08:04:32 PM

Since I am scheduled to have the welder repair my cracked frame/tongue a few days from now I decided to pull the underbelly on my 2018 16TBS.
This is what I found- none of the wiring is secured in any manner- they depend on the flimsy underbelly to hold it all up!
I spent about $60 on split loom tubing and rubber lined clips to secure it all. I had to cut, extend and splice about 5-6 wires that ran under holding tanks and weren't long enough to relocate. Hours of work.

I also found numerous penetrations through the floor that weren't properly sealed- some up to 2" diameter weren't sealed at all. Talk about putting out the rodent welcome mat.

djsamuel · June 02, 2019, 08:06:36 AM

Wow! My 2013 21BHS, which does not have the cover, has the wiring neatly secured with the rubber lined clips, passed through conduit, and routed in a neat fashion. I do have two openings through the floor but they are pretty stuffed with wires and tubing. I always mean to get some of the foam insulation and fill it; but it hasn't caused a problem in 6 years.

Merlin · June 02, 2019, 08:34:48 AM

Ack! And at least one of those in the far back left looks like a 120V wire.

ADR · June 02, 2019, 08:48:42 AM

Yep! None of the several 120VAC wires were secured in any way...you have the fridge, the water heater and the main panel all with 120VAC.

Get this- the heater thermostat was wired with very small solid wire- maybe 22AWG? I wonder how many miles of road vibration will part that?

As for the non covered bottom units having the wires secured- they'd have to do that- turns out to be a big disadvantage to get the so-called "heated underbelly" if they are going to slop out on the wiring.

I'll post some other pics in a new thread about what they did with the fresh water tank....

charliem · June 02, 2019, 10:59:23 AM

Unbelievable.....but maybe not. You've been THORed.

GrampaKilt · June 02, 2019, 12:16:39 PM

It's hard to know which emotion to go with-

or

. I salute you on being able to take care of the mess! GK

ADR · June 06, 2019, 10:59:16 AM

Quote from: GrampaKilt on June 02, 2019, 12:16:39 PM
I salute you on being able to take care of the mess! GK

I actually kind of enjoy it but jeez this is ridiculous

ADR · June 06, 2019, 11:04:21 AM

Quote from: charliem on June 02, 2019, 10:59:23 AM
Unbelievable.....but maybe not. You've been THORed.

Well I was previously FOREST RIVERed although I think this one has them beat in the poor quality department.
If I ever get rid of the CL I will just build my own next time. Should have done that prior to the FR product- that was my plan but wife didn't approve.

When I sold my FR product I told the buyer he was getting a better unit than it was new, unfortunately that is worthless on resale value.

Apollo · June 06, 2019, 01:13:21 PM

This is proof that manufacturers only use an underbelly cover to save money. It takes time to route, bundle, and secure wiring, with a few bucks worth of plastic and some self tapping screws there is no need to neatly bundle the wiring.

Then they route a heater tube down there and presto! heated underbelly for 4 season use!!