In bed 7 way connector location

[ntrsandman]

Is there a "best" place to have the in bed 7 way connector located? Our previous truck had it forward of the left wheel well. Some have it rearward of the left wheel well. I purchased a plug and play connector harness thats 9 feet long. The instructions show the forward location. E-trailer "expert" recommends rearward. I am sure there are pros and cons for each.

Where are your's located? Thanks

[GreatWhite]

I've always placed mine aft of the left rear wheel well. There always seems to be enough room between the box wall and the "what in bygone days" fender. Guess there ain't such a thing as a fender any more... but ya get the idea.

[TXiceman]

I liked it in the left rear corner, but if you haul anything in the bed while towing, you need to consider the best location for your particular situation.

Ken

[ParTheCourse]

I mounted ours over the left fender, makes it easy to reach and hookup both the umbilical cord



and the break away cable

[waroland]

I installed mine rear of the left wheel well for convience of hookup and it is out of the way when hitch is removed.

[richardcoxid]

I dislike the “patch cord that connects into the TV factory wiring” with Scotch Locks. Scotch locks are OK inside the TV but outside where they are exposed to the elements they are trouble prone.
I replaced the RV 6’ factory shore power cord with a 10’ molded replacement shore power cord and ran it toward and over the TV tail gate and plug it directly into the factory installed 7 blade connector in the bumper. This eliminates 2 unnecessary connections.

[rgvtexan]

I had both a 5er and a truck camper, I placed in front of the left fender. It worked great for both units. I do my own wireing, spliced into the factroy rear hitch mounted 7 pin.

[dunrovin1955]

Hi Sandman, I have always had mine located inside the bed but traded for a 2011 Dodge and decided to try to use the one in the back of the truck and it works just fine. Thought it might catch and get jerked out but that hasn't happened and I have been in some tight turns. Brent

[Paul R. Haller]

It depends on the Tow Vehicle. In a 3500 dually it can not be located where you can't reach standing up outside the bed. I use a 2008 Dodge 4x4 dually. That sucker is wide and tall. I am not tall enough to reach around the tall bed in next to a dually wheel into the bed. I had to locate mine as far aft as I could to be able to reach it with the tailgate open and the 5er hooked up. Not a lot of room.
My old Dodge was nowhere near as tall (it was a 2wd) and it was a 2500 so no hips.
-Paul R. Haller-

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul R. Haller I had to locate mine as far aft as I could to be able to reach it with the tailgate open and the 5er hooked up. Not a lot of room.

Yep, that's where mine is. I'll generally stop as I'm backing under the 5th wheel when the pin box is just over the open tailgate and plug in the trailer umbilical.

Rusty

[Half Dimes]

Our previous trucks all had the connector receptacle installed forward of the left wheel well at the suggestion of the installers. Our 11 F350 came with the hitch prep package and the receptacle is high and behind the left wheel well. We've come to like this setup much better because either of us can easily access the location where with previous trucks it was me and a stepstool.

If you're going to have someone do it for you, I suggest you stand over them when they drill the hole. On our previous truck I showed him specifically where to drill, just a couple of inches below the bed rail (I had checked for internal clearances), had to leave to finish the purchase paperwork, came back and he had drilled at floor level. Every time I hitched and unhitched after that I would say bad things about his parentage. Usually on my toes on a stepstool leaning on the wet side of a pickup.

[Cat320]

Quote:

Originally Posted by waroland I installed mine rear of the left wheel well for convience of hookup and it is out of the way when hitch is removed.

Same here.

[Bubbajohnw]

I never would have thought of putting the plug here, but it is very convenient.

When we traded up from a travel trailer to the 5th, the dealer installed this plug on the left side just in front of the tail gate.

The factory 7 pin plug was removed and replaced with one that plugged into the factory wire harness and has a "Y" that goes up to the 7 pin plug in the bed.

John

[MICHIGAN CAMPER]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvtexan I had both a 5er and a truck camper, I placed in front of the left fender. It worked great for both units. I do my own wireing, spliced into the factroy rear hitch mounted 7 pin.

I did the same and for the same reason.
My truck (a '07 GMC one-ton dually) come with a factory installed 'pigtail', as well as a 7-pin connector on the bumper, for an additional 7-pin connector at a location of my choice.
michigancamper