Routing extension cord into the interior? (1 Viewer)

[eatSleepWoof]

I have a temporary need to route a regular, household extension cord into the interior of the LX. This will be used during a few (cold night) camping trips to power a small space heater so that the interior stays reasonably warm for my elderly (read: arthritis) dog. Power source will be either my travel trailer or a generator.

Current plan is to route the extension cord through a window and close it as much as I can, but I'd love to have the interior sealed better than that. Any other ideas I'm missing?

I know there are grommets in the floor, which can lead into the inside of the cargo area trim (already used the passenger side grommet for this), but those are a pain to get to, and I'm mostly looking for a temporary and easy to use solution.

Has anyone used something like a pool noodle jammed into the window opening, so as to close the gap that would remain after the extension cord was ran through?

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

You can wedge it in the lower tailgate and still lock it.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

You can wedge it in the lower tailgate and still lock it.

View attachment 3727516

Awesome!

I looked at the door gaps and figured they were too tight, but hadn't even considered the tailgate. Thank you!

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

For what it's worth, I think you can take the same approach with most extension cords at the lower-rear corner of any door as well.

 

[Dunbar]

Look for an appliance extension cord. Usually short, like 6' but they are flat rather than round. I have used them for over a decade through the tail gate for shore power to the fridge.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I have a temporary need to route a regular, household extension cord into the interior of the LX. This will be used during a few (cold night) camping trips to power a small space heater so that the interior stays reasonably warm for my elderly (read: arthritis) dog. Power source will be either my travel trailer or a generator.

Current plan is to route the extension cord through a window and close it as much as I can, but I'd love to have the interior sealed better than that. Any other ideas I'm missing?

I know there are grommets in the floor, which can lead into the inside of the cargo area trim (already used the passenger side grommet for this), but those are a pain to get to, and I'm mostly looking for a temporary and easy to use solution.

Has anyone used something like a pool noodle jammed into the window opening, so as to close the gap that would remain after the extension cord was ran through?

We ran an extension cord from our goal zero 1500X inverter in the cargo bay to our tent that had a flat 3 conductor cable through the tailgate. We found it easier on the weatherstripping than the round cords.

I liked the pool noodle idea though; never thought of that. Pipe insulation would also work I guess.

 

[gasman4u]

Get some sort of the round rubber/foam insulation stuff and cut it to fit the top of your back door windows. You’d be able to run cord in, put insulation on top, roll window up enough to engage the insulation capacity of the insulation and won’t mess up any OEM gaskets with creating “memory” bends/shapes from the cord.

 

[prharper]

I went thru the passenger rear grommet. Popped a few clips to pull the rear bumper skin back and easy access. Ran extension cord up from bottom and into the hole. Sealed w silicone. Left a few feet that are zip tied under the rear bumper so I can connect to shore power as needed. Have a plastic cover that goes over the three prongs when not in use to keep the gunk off. It’s been permanent for several years, no issues and was pretty easy.

 

[DallasTide]

You can wedge it in the lower tailgate and still lock it.

View attachment 3727516

Did this a few days ago in my garage to power my fridge while my jackery was out of the truck.

 

[Slow Paddler]

I have an 8' extension cord coming up through the bottom of the tailgate near the springs, under the rear plastic lip, and into the cabin. The male pigtail hangs down about 10" over near my trailer plug outlet. I use this to power the fridge when at home or in a camp with power, as well as to charge my Bluetti. It's been in there since March of 2021 without any wear or tear, including a few times driving away while forgetting to unplug... When it needs replacing, I'll look into one of the flat appliance cords recommended above.