Dumb question on electrical hookup to truck

[watkinsk]

My new F350 has the 5th wheel electrical connection below the bumper next to the trailer hitch. It is not in the sidewall of the truck bed like my old Dodge.

Before I spend $150 to have a plug installed in the sidewall of the truck bed, has anyone used a "pigtail extension" that runs from the 5th wheel's 12 Volt cord , over the tailgate and down to bumper connection? This is a $50 solution.

Clearly having it in the sidewall of the truck bed is a cleaner connection but what what are the downsides of having the cord loop over the tailgate and down to the bumper when towing?

Thanks, Keith

[bop11]

On my Chevy the plug was in the step bumper. The camper pigtail reached and worked good.

A technician talked me into letting him put one in the back corner of the box and I really like it. It took him about 20 minutes to do. When I questioned how he'd done it so quick he said the pigtail just plugs in (Tee connector) under the truck so drilling the hole in the box was what took the longest. I think the pigtail was $50-$60. Might want to check that out.

I think they charged me $120.

[bigbunkhouse]

I have run an extension, both ways actually without an issue. My 250 only had a bed plug and when i towed a tag id ise the extension, then my 350 only had a bumper plug so when we first got it I ran the extension the way you want to. A cleaner solution is to run it between the tailgate and bed, you just have to swing the tailgate out on the passenger side as if you were gonna take it off then you can sneak the plug thru.


or have you looked into one of these? even with no skills you can do this no problem

http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Bargman/54701-003.html

[jonandjolene]

On our Ford F250 we have the plug-in's located by the receiver hitch. Our trailer cord is long enough to reach over the tailgate and plug in there with no problems. We don't have a plug in in the bed. We have a slider hitch and running the cord over the tailgate keeps it out of the way when the hitch slides back a little.

[watkinsk]

Thanks, you all answered my basic question and concern in that is doable and the risk is low. Thanks much.

[honker]

We have a plug next to the trailer hitch as well. Never thought about plugging it in there..When the hitch was installed, they put a plug in the sidewall of the truck for the
5er. I thought that was a good question..............

[kwralph]

I run the trailer plug over my RV tailgate. Never had a problem with length. Might be another story if I was useing the factory gate that came on trucks when they were new.

kennyR

[WVcampers]

Caution, Running the plug over the tailgate will rub the paint beyond repair. I know from past experience.

[Travelers]

I hung a short piece of angle iron and a extension spring off the rear of the pin box and attached the plug wire to that. It was 4" beyond the back of the tailgate and was a vertical drop to the receptical on the bumper.

[jonandjolene]

Our tailgate has a factory installed cover to protect the paint. We've never had a problem running the cord over it.

[WVcampers]

Mine did not rub the top of the tailgate. The paint was rubbed dull in the middle part. This was on a 93 Ford. Maybe the paint is tougher now.

[watkinsk]

Doing some more research, it doesn't look that tough to install a plug in the bed of the truck. There are a couple of models out there that would work but I think I will buy this pig tail:
http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehi ... 20110.html. Price is about $69 plus shipping.

The toughest part looks like drilling the 2 inch hole in the sidewall of the bed. There are even a couple of video showing how to do it. Best of all I would not have to disconnect the bumper plug.

Keith

[bigbunkhouse]

ive used a lenox hole saw and a plazma cutter...the hole saw works perfectly for those lacking a plazma

[EAW]

The toughest part looks like drilling the 2 inch hole in the sidewall of the bed. Keith

Get a 2" bi-metal hole saw. What a great opportunity to buy a new tool.

[watkinsk]

Ernie, I like the way you think!