Blaise
Well-known member
I have a 2015 Chevy Sonic that I'll be pulling behind our Winnie. I ordered a TrailerMate Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles (Item # TM780098S, see https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Wiring/Chevrolet/Sonic/2015/TM780098S.html?vehicleid=20151134721). I loved the idea of a permanent solution with no hole drilling, no splicing, etc. But after 6 weeks on back order - and it's STILL not available - I'm tired of waiting. (I was told that the TrailerMate company was bought out, chaos reigns, etc.)
So I bought a very nice Roadmaster magnetic light kit with strong magnets, according to reviews (https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Wiring/Chevrolet/Sonic/2015/RM-2100.html?vehicleid=20151129797)
I'm planning to permanently run wiring from the 6-wire socket mounted on the Blue Ox base plate on the front of the car, to the rear, and have the wire pop out just above the drivers side tail light. I would put a 4 wire male connector on the end of this permanent wire. I would then outfit the magnetic lights with a short lead (3 or 4 feet) ending in a 4 wire female connector to run from the roof down to the permanent wire. The connectors and wire fit nicely under the rear door (hatch) between (and on the outside of) the hatch's rubber seal and the pneumatic piston that holds the hatch open. I thought I'd use a self-stick Velcro pad to hold the connectors in place. I would need to drill a hole through which the permanent wire would be run to the front of the car.
See illustration attached.
This way, setting up to tow is easy - just place the magnetic lights on the roof, run the short wire from the lights down under the hatch and connect it to the permanent wire. Plus, there are no wires outside the car flailing around in the wind that could mar the car's finish.
Any opinions on this approach?
Once I drill the hole in the body that I'll run the permanent wire through (just above the car's break light housing), I'll mount a grommet in the hole, run the wire through the grommet and seal with RTV 598 black silicone.
OK, here's the question (finally!). After I drill the hole, and before I put the grommet into the hole, what should I use to seal the bare metal edge of the hole that is exposed by drilling? I was thinking of spay painting it lightly with Rustoleum, or maybe just applying dielectric grease.
I guess some will say it's not necessary to seal the edge of the hole because I'm using a grommet, but ... I'm a belt and suspenders type of guy, and I really don't want any rust issues ...
Thanks for any feedback.
So I bought a very nice Roadmaster magnetic light kit with strong magnets, according to reviews (https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Wiring/Chevrolet/Sonic/2015/RM-2100.html?vehicleid=20151129797)
I'm planning to permanently run wiring from the 6-wire socket mounted on the Blue Ox base plate on the front of the car, to the rear, and have the wire pop out just above the drivers side tail light. I would put a 4 wire male connector on the end of this permanent wire. I would then outfit the magnetic lights with a short lead (3 or 4 feet) ending in a 4 wire female connector to run from the roof down to the permanent wire. The connectors and wire fit nicely under the rear door (hatch) between (and on the outside of) the hatch's rubber seal and the pneumatic piston that holds the hatch open. I thought I'd use a self-stick Velcro pad to hold the connectors in place. I would need to drill a hole through which the permanent wire would be run to the front of the car.
See illustration attached.
This way, setting up to tow is easy - just place the magnetic lights on the roof, run the short wire from the lights down under the hatch and connect it to the permanent wire. Plus, there are no wires outside the car flailing around in the wind that could mar the car's finish.
Any opinions on this approach?
Once I drill the hole in the body that I'll run the permanent wire through (just above the car's break light housing), I'll mount a grommet in the hole, run the wire through the grommet and seal with RTV 598 black silicone.
OK, here's the question (finally!). After I drill the hole, and before I put the grommet into the hole, what should I use to seal the bare metal edge of the hole that is exposed by drilling? I was thinking of spay painting it lightly with Rustoleum, or maybe just applying dielectric grease.
I guess some will say it's not necessary to seal the edge of the hole because I'm using a grommet, but ... I'm a belt and suspenders type of guy, and I really don't want any rust issues ...
Thanks for any feedback.