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Lisle, IL
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Edited Date/Time
1/23/2012 8:23pm
I am looking to install a radio into my enclosed trailor. The simpler the better. But am willing to run car speakers and build a box for them if thats the best way to do it. Currently i do not have a battery just for the trailor i run the lights with the truck battery. Is there a inexpesive way to put in a portable radio and run the power to the truck battery? Would the truck have to be on to run the radio? Or would it be smarter to do it differently? Any advice would be greatly apperciated
We use a sirius portable boom box that sounds pretty good. it has an aux input so we can plug the ipod into it.
The Shop
If you want to do it this way, the best way to do it is find a constant 12v fused spot (meaning this location always has 12 volts regardless of key position.) your easiest option is look in your owners manual fuse diagram and find which terminal the factory radio utilizes. Piggyback a wire into that fuse block and run that down and along the truck frame rail. Continue until you reach where the trailer wiring hairness starts. try to get the wire in the plastic loom if possible, if not just use zip-tys to secure it. Put some sort of plug connection on the end (i like spade terminals because they are cheap and easy to connect/disconnect) and bring the end of the wire flush with where your trailer wiring harness ends. At this point you're going to want to install a ground wire. The easiest way is to remove a bolt somewhere near the rear of the truck. Install a ring terminal, big enough to clearance whatetever bolt you choose and sandwich it between the frame and bolt head. Run this ground wire over to your trailer wiring harness and connect it like the 12v wire. Put another connection terminal on the end of the ground wire at the trailer harness.
On the trailer side, put the opposite end terminal on the wires and plug the trailer wiring harness in and connect the wires so you can get an idea where it rests and the best way to route your wires (make sure vehicle battery is not hot first.) Usually, you will want to run the wires to the bottom side of the trailer frame. Connect it to the frame with zip-tys, plastic looming is best, and run it underneath until you reach the floor of the trailer, a little bit past the front edge. Drill a small hole in the floor, 1/2", install a rubber grommet and feed the wires through the hole. Get some silicon sealant and weatherproof around the grommet. Now when you connect the wires at the trailer plug you will have a good 12v source. You can easily run the wires anywere in the trailer to accomodate the location of the radio. It is also a good idea to put in an inline fuse on the 12v wire. Use a fuse that is rated slighlty lower than the fuse in the main fuse panel you tied into in case a short happens you wont blow the factory fuse.
The bad thing about doing it this way is that when you unhook your trailer and lose the 12v signal, you're going to lose all your saved information on your radio like the clock, preset stations, eq settings, etc.
Like mototyme mentioned, you would also be smart to put in a master switch so you can turn the power off and on without unhooking your wires. This could be something as simple as a toggle switch in-line. For powering additional things, you will want to install a fuse box, or put in some fused junctions. You can run a single, thicker guage, wire into the junction box and then come out of the box for several items with thinner gauge wiring. Basically, everything just needs to be fused for protection.
Radioshack, tractor supply, farm king, lowes, or menards should have the stuff you need. Talk to the guys that work at the stores, usually they do know enough to help you out (although some are idiots so beware.) The internet is your best friend on stuff like this. Do searches and you should easily be able to find some diagrams, technical info, and products needed to complete a similar project.
Sounds like a lot but its real simple.
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