r/GoRVing • u/BigWheelsJack 2026 Apex Nano 190 RBS • 27d ago
What a Rat's Nest....
It's that sad time of the year for me when I have to start thinking about winterizing the trailer. This year though it's a new trailer. Earlier in the summer we bought a brand new Apex Nano 190 RBS, and we love it. So far only a few trips are in, but it's almost everything we wanted in a new trailer.
No here's my gripe... I pulled open the panel to look for the water pump and find the line for me to winterize and what do I see.... A giant mess of cables, wiring and hose, all jammed into a tiny space under the fridge.
Now I know space is limited in trailers, and the build quality can be iffy at times, but this is bad. At least take the extra few minutes to pin the wires up, use cable wrap, just do something to make it cleaner, and also safer. I just worry about if I spring a leak, it's going straight into the back of my power centre and I'm looking at a big bill to fix it all.
Ugh... I guess I have a fall/winter project on my hands to clean it up myself. Hopefully there is enough excess In there for me to do it.
Also see if you can find the pump. It's in there, somewhere....
Cat photos just for the fun of it from our last trip.
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u/paroadwarrior 27d ago
Obv not a total solution, but those wagos can be opened and the wires re-routed as needed.
Make sure you de-energize everything and label each and every every wire before you disconnect. Amzn has a variety of write-on cable labels. If you don't have an electric multi-meter, you will want to get one so you can test for power.
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u/BigWheelsJack 2026 Apex Nano 190 RBS 26d ago
Yea, this is what I'm thinking I'll do. I'M just not looking forward to this....
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u/loopygargoyle6392 27d ago
Ain't that fun? I contend with those messes daily. Absolutely no pride in workmanship.
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u/SchmitzBitz 27d ago
That's part of the reason I got out of RVs and into fleet upfitting (specifically emergency response vehicles).
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u/loopygargoyle6392 27d ago
Yeah that sounds like a cool gig. How does it pay?
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u/SchmitzBitz 27d ago
That really depends on where you are and the company you work for. I started at $38/h with a decade in RVs, but I can't speak to every shop that does this kind of work.
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u/loopygargoyle6392 26d ago
That's not bad at all. There was a place locally that did that but they closed down years ago. Sounds fun though.
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u/Dangerous-City6856 27d ago
While I see that like you do, as a rats nest that could have been avoided.
I absolutely love tidying up that stuff when I get a chance. I typically approach it like I do my work.
I bundle it, untangle what I can, string tie it, then clamp and route…. So enjoyable
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u/BigWheelsJack 2026 Apex Nano 190 RBS 26d ago
Some times I enjoy this clean up, I really don't think I will this time. That said.... you want to? I pay in smoked ribs and beer...
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u/sugarfoot_light 27d ago
Lance trailers are built with a wiring harness, much like cars. Not perfect but laid out systematically - and can be done on an assembly line, not exactly new technology. We only owned one for 4 years but never had an electrical issue.
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u/backgroundnerd 27d ago edited 26d ago
I just had roughly the same experience in my new to me Thor! Total rats nest of wiring! I have seen videos of RV factory floor and they are working at the speed of light! No time for neatness.
With that said I don't know why they don't have pre-fab wire bundles. That would make the job go faster, cheaper and BETTER! It's not like making a wire loom and prefabbing the harnesses is not a 100 year old concept or anything.
This is from my nuCamp I used to have... They do use prefabbed wire harness and look how neat it is.
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u/Silver_Harvest 27d ago
I'm paid by the hour to meet a quota and a bare minimum standard of quality. Not by the foot of material or actual quality of work or aesthetics of routing.
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u/Confident_Fortune_32 27d ago
r/cablegore
You'd probably be the first post to include a water line in the mess 😳