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Regular
Posts: 99
Location: Phoenix AZ | Can someone tell me how to drill a hole, 3-4 inches in diameter through a steel trailer? I'm assuming I need a special kind and size bit. Thx! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402
Location: Lockport, Illinois | Are you trying to drill a hole 3/4" or a hole 3"-4" in diameter, and how thick of steel are you drilling through?If you are drilling through thick steel {1/4") you will need a steel hole saw of the proper size. If you are trying to drill through thin steel as used for the skin, you can either us a hole saw or you could drill a pilot hole then use a sabre saw with a steel blade. |
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Regular
Posts: 99
Location: Phoenix AZ | I want to drill a hole 3-4 inches (not 3/4) thru the exterior wall of my trailer so I can run an extension cord to the interior. I've located a receptacle with a cover that opens and closes that should work. The dimensions I listed are what's needed to install it.
The hole will be on the outside wall underneath the goose neck bed (sorta of where most spare tires are mounted ). Not sure of the thickness of the steel but it's an older WW trailer. |
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Expert
Posts: 2957
 
Location: North Carolina | You might consider surface mounting an weather proof electrical box to hold the inlet. Then only a 3/4 inch diameter hole for the wiring is required. It is also a lot easier to plug a small hole rather than 4 inches if you wish to relocate or remove the inlet. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Plasma cutter |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM | You can buy a metal cutting hole saw at nearly any hardware store. Using a cutting torch would be just as easy and faster. Marla |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by daafy on 2011-09-02 6:34 PM
I want to drill a hole 3-4 inches (not 3/4) thru the exterior wall of my trailer so I can run an extension cord to the interior. I've located a receptacle with a cover that opens and closes that should work. The dimensions I listed are what's needed to install it.
The hole will be on the outside wall underneath the goose neck bed (sorta of where most spare tires are mounted ). Not sure of the thickness of the steel but it's an older WW trailer.
You still have NOT identified why the hole has to be SO BIG???
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Member
Posts: 26
Location: East Texas | Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2011-09-03 10:18 PM
You still have NOT identified why the hole has to be SO BIG???
From his second post I believe he has a bulkhead receptacle he is installing.
daafy, just get a bi-metal hole saw. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | Home Depot, Lowes or most any tools store will sell a BiMetal hole saw in the diameter you need. I've used these to drill the hole in my truck bed for the B&W Tunr Over Ball. So they will cut thru metal like a truck bed. They won't work real great on heavy metal like the frame of a trailer or truck. They cost about $20 for the blade and $5-$10 for the abor.
Edited by Painted Horse 2011-09-05 10:43 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402
Location: Lockport, Illinois | AS the OP hasn't answered, I think the OP has a RV electric cable hatch cover in mind, which requires a 3" to 4" hole. This is used with a 30 to 50 amp shore power cable, which has a huge plug. The OP only was talking about an extension cord, which only would require a max 2" hole, or as horsepuller already suggested, mount a weather proof electrical box to hold the inlet. |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Probably going to install one of these..... http://www.rvpartscenter.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=26154&SID=8&DID=50&CID=378 Needs one of these... http://www.drillspot.com/products/118104/Milwaukee_Accessories_49-56-3500_35_Inch_BI-Metal_Hole_Saw
Edited by retento 2011-09-05 3:46 PM
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Regular
Posts: 99
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally written by BigT on 2011-09-05 11:52 AM
AS the OP hasn't answered, I think the OP has a RV electric cable hatch cover in mind, which requires a 3" to 4" hole. This is used with a 30 to 50 amp shore power cable, which has a huge plug. The OP only was talking about an extension cord, which only would require a max 2" hole, or as horsepuller already suggested, mount a weather proof electrical box to hold the inlet.
You are absolutely correct Big T, and I am going to take Hosspuller's advice regarding the electrical box.
Thanks to everyone for the replies.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402
Location: Lockport, Illinois | You will need an waterproof electrical box and thishttp://www.amazon.com/Leviton-4937-Weatherproof-Wallplate-Receptacle/dp/B00074USHY?SubscriptionId=0XF3P8NYDMGB520XRZ82&tag=officefurni01-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00074USHY |
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Need to know what to use to drill 3-4 inch hole thru trailer
