Keeping the critters out...

4x4_luvr wrote:
What does everyone do where the power cord comes in to keep out the critters? Our old camper had a lid that covered the hole except for a small slide which was the size of the diameter of the cord, which at least limited possible critters to small insects for the most part. Our new camper, a Crossroads Zinger ZT33BH has a large (maybe 4"x4") hole - handy for dealing with the cord, but I wonder what all can climb in? :) I remember the salesman or the walk-through guy giving us some choices, but all sounded awkward or messy, and I forgot some of them - what do you find works best?

I saw a mod on here the other day where they replaced the pull out cord with a plug and it fits perfectly in that 4" hole.

Myself, I just stuffed steel wool around the cable, should do the trick.

Edit: Here's the mod: http://forums.trailerlife.com/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26959905.cfm

What RoyB is showing is called smurf tube...or the trade name is ENT. Works great, just make sure you get the correct connectors for the smurf tube you are picking up...run a pull string through the tube will help in running wires..a string/twine with a sandwich bag tied on the end (makes a parachute-or called a mouse) suck it in with a vacuum cleaner...trade secrete...not really, but works and you don't have to fight pushing in the wires...or you can get the smurf tube with a pull string already attached...just make sure when you cut it you don't loose the line inside.

I pack in some foam around the cable and close the smaller slide door tight on the foam which pushes it around the shore power cable. All snaps down in place with the foam installed. My problem is always ants and bugs more then mice getting in...

photo from google - not mine

My OFF-ROAD POPUP had many small holes under the floor where wires come through from the top. Took awhile to find and stop-up all of those... I finally ripped out all of the wiring under the trailer and installed 3/4-inch PVC flex lines and PVC electrical junction boxes with a large hole in the center aligned to the holes that came thru the floors. This sealed up all of the large holes under the floor area. Don't have that problem anymore now...

You can see how this looks in this floorplan drawing of my off-road popup shown in BLUE. No more holes in the bottom anymore. I also have a way to fish cables from point A to point B as well from the top.


This will hard to do on your trailer as it probably has an under belly membrane installed.

When I start on my next battery upgrade I will replace the pull out cord for a screw on shore power connection cord. This will fit into my alternate ways of providing power for my OFF-ROAD POPUP. The power connection of the right side of this photo comes from my 1500WATT PSW on-board Inverter.


Roy Ken

Pack the area with brass whool. You can use steel whool but it will leave rust stains.

Haha Bugs53!

4x4_luvr> If you don't want to try Bugs' idea...

My hubby found a plastic lid that fit over the hole from the inside. He cut a slit & small hole in it then worked the power cord in so the power cord goes through the lid which sits on the hole. So far, it's kept at least the mice out. We can lift the lid & cord out to screw in the cover that came with the coach.

Sorry Dude, I could not pass it up. We have found if you keep your speed at 55 to 60 on the road you will have no problem. :W Don't stay in one place more than one night,:S and keep an open bottle of Kentucky Bourbon in the coach at all times. :) That is my solution.
Bugs53