Fifth wheel install

[medicbob]

Ordered my fifth wheel hitch today, will have it installed beginning of April, salesman asked me if I wanted a 7 pin connector installed inside my truck box. How practical is it and is worth the money?

Thanks

Bob

[cariboocreek]

Yes it is practical and yes it is worth it.

[SouthCo]

I would agree it's worth it. Some trucks already have wiring just for it. My GMC 2500 has a bundle of wires taped up under the front of the bed just for that...

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by cariboocreek

Yes it is practical and yes it is worth it.

+1

Originally Posted by SouthCo

I would agree it's worth it. Some trucks already have wiring just for it. My GMC 2500 has a bundle of wires taped up under the front of the bed just for that...

My Ram did too.

[dalebra]

medicbob,

The only other choice is to have a long cord or an extension and drape the cord over your tailgate.
My 2015 2500HD had the wiring harness tied up right behind the rear license plate. The end of the harness is just the wires wrapped in shrink tubing. The only part you have to purchase is the connector. I did this job myself in 45 minutes. It's pretty easy if you have the right size hole saw and 4 self tapping screws along with some electrical knowledge.

[dalengail]

Yup! It is worth it!! Especially if, you have stiff worn out old joints like mine! And, 2 fake hips.

[mtdawg]

My brother in law learned the hard way about the pitfalls of not having a connector inside the box. Driving down the road, he got a message from his truck that the trailer breaks were not functioning. He stopped to check and saw that the cable had been dragging on the the highway and had worn through several of the wires.

Jim

[tularockstar]

Yes, you want that! Make sure that they also hook up the battery charge pin in the connector as well. I was told sometime they don't.

Originally Posted by medicbob

Ordered my fifth wheel hitch today, will have it installed beginning of April, salesman asked me if I wanted a 7 pin connector installed inside my truck box. How practical is it and is worth the money?

Thanks

Bob

[Ela1948]

Truthfully, I ordered it in my last truck and really don't care for it. i carry other items in the area that the cord lays in. I have the power cord length limited so that it can't get caught on the road. it works better for me hanging down over the tail gate. Different strokes for different folks!!!!

[Spanky1]

I installed my own inside the bed, between the wheel well and tailgate. Plug n play with original harness so you can still use the one under the bumper too. Just mount it far enough back so you can still unhook and pull slightly ahead without unplugging. You can use TV power for leveling

[Wrascal]

While the option might be nice, I can't miss what I've never had - but my opinion is that I can reach the plug that's on the rear vs. I would need a step stool to reach over the side.

I base that on a former truck that had a 6 pin installed back there. I was told it was used with goosenecks???

[dalengail]

Don't you need to have the tail gate open to hook up? Otherwise, if the 7 pin connector is placed in the back corner, there should be no problem. How do you pull the lever to open the jaws for the king pin when you want to unhook?

I've had a truck without the plug in the bed and, now with one in the bed. I'll do with out it because, I have way less worry the cord will get damaged.

[Edd505]

Left rear corner, it can be reached bent over under the 5W nose.

[norty1]

Mine is easy to reach but I have a V tailgate.

[Witt74]

Personally, I prefer to use the 7 pin connector I installed in the back corner of the truck bed. It keeps the cord from dragging on the road and getting tangled/hung up in whatever. Everyone knows, give a cord, cable, or hose a chance to hang up on something, it will show you how well it can do it.

[klassic]

I just plugged mine into the bumper the other day for fun. It ripped out on a tight corner because its too short. Lucky I didn't brake the socket.

[Krusegroup]

I installed a Bargmann right angle harness in the bed of my 2014 Ram last weekend. Nice unit, American made, straightforward install. Now all I need is a 5th wheel! The Eagle HT 28.5 BHXB should be here soon!