How to protect 7way cable during winter storage

[Javin]

greetings!
2 years in a row after taking my trailer out of the outdoor winter storage lot I have had problems with the 7 way signals on my trailer due to snow and water corrosion in the "umbilical cord"/7 way cable attached to my trailer. What can I do to protect the connections inside the cable during winter storage? I usually just wrap the cable and leave in hanging downwards but with snow build up corrosion seems to be happening every year. Any advice appreciated. My first thought was to spray it with wd40 but not sure if that will work best to protect the connection from corrosion. cheers!

[Grumpy]

They make a cover.

https://www.amazon.com/7-Way-Plug-Co.../dp/B00JRYHGKC

https://www.amazon.com/Optronics-ACP...89N62GHN&psc=1

[DocBrown]

Our trailer had a white plastic propane bottle cover (you can see it in my signature image). I used to push the plug under the cover and in between the bottles. In the 9 years we had the trailer, no corrosion or any issues with spring time testing of the lights. Can't say that for any other trailer we've owned. So find a way to cover that connector.

[Jagiven]

How do you store your 7pin connector? I just hang/shove the cord between by propane cover and battery box, making sure the plug is facing down. Never had any issues.

You may want to clean the connection, and apply some dielectric grease on the pins and that should protect them over the winter.

[Happy wife / happy life]

The holder came with the TT ( from Jayco ) I have used dielectric grease for years and have not had any problems when I hook it up. Now its ( The TT ) is under a carport and we don’t get snow. Hope this helps.

[SmokerBill]

Every time I plug the 7 pin connector into my truck receptacle, I fully connect and disconnect several times, which mechanically rubs away any corrosion or dust. Before I started doing this, I had a problem with the connector supplying power to the battery, and the trailer batteries didn't charge at all during an all day drive. Repeated connects/disconnects solved the problem. Never used dielectric or other treatment, and always kept the plug underneath the propane tank cover when in storage.

[harryjr]

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

Every time I plug the 7 pin connector into my truck receptacle, I fully connect and disconnect several times, which mechanically rubs away any corrosion or dust.

We were in the middle of a 6K mile trip last fall when I noticed the left trailer light was out. After checking the bulb, pulling the fixture apart, cleaning off all the corrosion, and generally wasting far too much time, it dawned on me that the problem just might be at the other end. Tried the factory connector on the bumper and it worked fine. Same problem as Smoker Bill with the 7 pin connector in the bed. A few connect and disconnects on the bed connector. Problem solved.

[GarlicDude]

I use one of these and haven't had any connection problems.


https://www.amazon.com/GR-Innovation...%2C1908&sr=8-1

[Rustic Eagle]

I place my 7pin connector into a quart size freezer bag and use a plastic twist tie to seal the bag..., then place under the LP tank cover. The same bag/tie lasts a couple years, then replace.

During the summer camping season when in storage I use the same method between trips.

Bob

[travelingjw]

I have a 7 pin tester. I plug the tester into the socket and then wrap the joint with electricians tape. Also spray with CRC QD Electric Cleaner before and after every trip and before I store the TT even for a few weeks.

[TWP723]

I use dielectric grease then cover with a small cinch bag that's waterproof. Never had any problems.

[mrmom]

After thinking about years of experience with automotive electrical issues and corrosion over the years, one thing that comes to mind. If the 7 way plug already has corrosion, then no storage method will ever really cure the problem. If this were my unit, I would just get a new 7-pin harness with a molded connector to replace the corroded unit and then look into storing it properly to keep out new problems. That is what I did on our trailer.

New harnesses with molded connectors are actually pretty reasonable and fairly easy to install. Check these out on Amazon:
https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=7-pin+t...s_ts-doa-p_1_6

[bankr63]

+1 more for the dielectric grease. I also tuck mine into the battery box, the battery comes home for the winter to be maintained regularly.

[craigav]

Keep in mind that dielectric grease is a non-conductor. Using a little is certainly helpful in many cases and not an issue however, using too much causes issues as well. For trailer connectors I would recommend a very light coating such as what you can get with CRC spray di-electric grease... or even Deoxit which cleans and protects the terminals. ~CA

[RedHorse1]

I’ve owned 2 of these (they seem to last 5-6 yrs). Very convenient and keeps my plug and cable off the ground and out of the weather. It’s mounted on the side of the pin box opposite where the cable comes out. Loosely draped over the front side of my pin box. I think it tidy-ups the 5th at the CG a bit.

https://www.amazon.com/AP-Products-0...%2C113&sr=8-34

[spoon059]

We go to Florida every February and have had a frozen jack that burned out the fuse and caused a big hassle in cold weather the night before we left. Now, I have a 5 gallon bucket that I put over my tongue jack in the winter to keep water out and prevent it from freezing.
I put my cable up over the jack and have it protected by the bucket. I will occasionally give it a light di-electric grease coating to prevent any issues. Coming up on 8 years without a problem.

[MtnGoat]

There are dozens of different size containers and tubs with locking lids available for cheap at WallyWorld or other stores. I have one that is large enough to hold all the cable. I cut a hole on the side large enough for the connector end to pass through. Some dielectric grease on the plug end and its good until next time.

[norty1]

With a fifth wheel, I roll it up and store it in the rear hole on the hitch. I have a small cover that seals that hole when I am parked.

I put dielectric grease on the connectors a few times a year.

[Duramaxsky]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

Our trailer had a white plastic propane bottle cover (you can see it in my signature image). I used to push the plug under the cover and in between the bottles. In the 9 years we had the trailer, no corrosion or any issues with spring time testing of the lights. Can't say that for any other trailer we've owned. So find a way to cover that connector.

I do that as well. 2001 trailer with the original plug and over 100k miles.

[adsfhjq]

A 3D printed this and it works amazing.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1979363