Tow light cable

[okmunky]

I could use some advice. I destroyed a 3rd cable today. It runs the lights for the toad while towing. I need a new system.

The car is wired using 4 wires. The RV has a 7 connector round plug, but I have an adapter that will let it accept a 4 flat plug.

The last time I changed to a 4 round on the car to a 7 round RV cable. It looks nice, but getting the 4 round plugged and unplugged is a nightmare! Everything on the front of a Smart Car is plastic! I tried sanding down the 4 round plug to make it slip in and out easier, but there is nothing firm to push or pull against.

I figure I need to go back to a 4 flat on both ends, but can anyone suggest one that looks somewhat more professional than a plug and wires dangling from the car's plastic grill? Extra points for durability!

Links and photos appreciated.

[RockyMtnRide]

I use a 6pin receptacle I mounted through my Jeeps bumper. Could something like this work with your smart car? T[ATTACH]

[okmunky]

I'll have to dig down and see if I can find something metal to attach that to. Even the bumpers are plastic.

[Dutch Star Don]

"okmunky"....If you can't find a way to reinforce a mounting location, maybe you can make a longer car cable and keep the car end of the connection under the hood. When you're ready to tow, open the hood, pull out the cable and let it hang down to the tow bar, closing the hood down on the cable. Wrap the cable in rubber or even stick some of that pipe insulation around it so it doesn't chafe the paint. When done towing, lift the hood and stuff the cable back inside.

This would allow you to use the four pin connector and keep your cabling above the tow bar where it's less likely to get damaged.

[CampDaven]

^^^^^^
This is what I have always done. No damage!

[Winemaker2]

okmunky

I'm not familiar w/ SmartCars but wondering what the base plate is like and if you can come up with a bracket that attaches to the base plate.

Next best bet would be as mentioned - reinforce behind the plastic for bracket attachment

I've used 6 pin to 6 pin cords and 7 pin (MH) to 6 Pin (Toad) cords.
Both seem secure while fairly easy to plug/unplug

I'm not a great fan of 4 pin connectors on the end of a wire cable but do use them for the occasional boat trailer tow.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

okmunky-

I had the same idea as "Winemaker2." I pulled up the Roadmaster installation instructions for their SmatforTwo baseplate. Wow! I thought the one for our Fit was complicated... not as much as the Smart, I think.

If you had the garnish removed I bet you could find a way to attach a socket to the bumper core. If you don't feel comfortable taking your car apart (again), then perhaps the shop that did it could mount a bracket and socket for you.

I mounted a 7-pin socket bracket on the Fit by making a matching aluminum plate about six inches long and an inch-and-a-half wide that goes inside the plastic bumper (they call the plastic bumper a "garnish," by the way). By bolting through the bracket, garnish and plate I was able to make it stiff enough that things don't flex much. Still, when I insert and remove the 7-pin plug I hold the back of the socket with my left hand, to prevent excess flexing.

Here are two other ideas:

1) Sometimes the front license plate mount (or mounting area) has holes that can be used or reinforced to hold a bracket. I used ours to hold the breakaway switch.

2) There' an absolutely huge 7-pin socket I used on the back bumper of our last coach. It's called the RV ProPlug (link here). It's designed to be mounted against a flat surface (or, in your case, could be bolted through the garnish). It would turn your Smart into an eyesore, but sometimes function over form... Anyway, I found it to be an excellent 7-pin socket. And, I still reinforced behind it with aluminum.

[Wayne M]

Barb,
Park next to Dwayne and tell him your problem. Problem will be solved. :-)

[Dale & Mark Bruss]

I preferred using 4-flat connector for the toad, the retention was much better than any 4-round plug. I did make a bracket that held the 4-flat vehicle end in a block that was firm. 4-flat bracket.

Would have pictures but I had to switch to 6-round to have a +12 volt line.

[okmunky]

Originally Posted by Dale & Mark Bruss

I preferred using 4-flat connector for the toad, the retention was much better than any 4-round plug. I did make a bracket that held the 4-flat vehicle end in a block that was firm. 4-flat bracket.

Would have pictures but I had to switch to 6-round to have a +12 volt line.

Ok, that is what I'm looking for. I installed the baseplate with a friend of my stepdad's who spoke little English. I bet I can find a place to mount it where I can put some metal reinforcement behind it.

Thanks guys!

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by RockyMtnRide

I use a 6pin receptacle I mounted through my Jeeps bumper. Could something like this work with your smart car?

It is an easy wire job and much more durable than a 4 wire plug. The hardest part is finding a way to mount it on the toad. That assumes you tow plate doesn't have a mounting point on it like our Blue Ox does.

The cables that directly convert from 7 to 6 pin are very sturdy. We made that conversion over 2 years ago and haven't had a single problem since.

Where are you at now? We are in Casa Grande but will be in Yuma by Monday. I'd be glad to help.

[okmunky]

Thanks Don! I appreciate the offer, but I realized this morning that I won’t be towing for several months. Right now I need to get our home set up in the LVTA. I have only 245 miles left to drive/tow.

I'll order in some parts in and we can fry this fish later.