Trailer wiring ?: bumper and in-bed connector

[jkalchik]

I've got a 1999 QC SB 4wd. Short term, I'm going to be pulling a tag trailer, so the stock trailer wiring connector will be just fine.



Long term, I suspect I may move up to a gooseneck trailer, and will want an in-bed connector. The problem is that I don't want to lose the bumper connector.



What's the best way to do this? Does anybody make a tee style wiring kit? Or will I end up splicing into the wiring harness to do this?



jkalchik

 

[klenger]

I think you will need to splice wires. I am unaware of any plug-n-play kits.

 

[**ICEMAN**]

i drilled a hole in the inner bedside and mounted a 7 pin female connector and ran a length of the 7 wire cable along the frame back to the under the bumper plug with a 7 pin male on the other end.

basically just an extension cord,,,no splicing!!!

if i want to use the in bed plug for 5th wheel hook up etc i just plug it together at the under bumper plug.

 

[jkalchik]

<grin> Iceman, that's cheating... ... . </grin>



But I'd rather go that route than splicing.

 

[Bartlett]

I did what Iceman did. I didnt want ANY splices on the factory wiring because of the salt on the roads in winter. I put a small amount of Truck Lite NYK corrosion protectant in the factory socket and usually keep the extension plugged in and cover the end with a plug cap when bumper pulling. If i was in a better climate i would have done what Klenger did. Definetly looks cleaner.

 

[dresslered]

I spliced and sealed into the OEM harness! The exceptions were with the power and ground lines. I felt the factory used too small of gauge wire for the load (I wanted to minimize voltage drop) so I ran these individually from the battery. Also, with the power line, I ran this through a solonoid switch so that it would automatically disconnect when the ignition is shut off--thus avoiding dead truck batteries.

 

[**ICEMAN**]

If i was in a better climate i would have done what Klenger did. Definetly looks cleaner.

how did klenger do his ?? pics ??



mine is probably the most expensive way with using about 10 feet of the 7 wire cable but i felt it was the safest,,,no splices to worry about corroding and possibly going for the brakes and there isn't any

simply plug it in when your towing a 5er or goose !!

 

[DPelletier]

Iceman,

Your solution is a good one UNLESS you need both plug-ins at the same time (like me)!



Dave

 

[RustyJC]

I spliced into the factory harness to put the 7-pin connector in the left rear side of the bed. With all joints soldered and sealed - no problems. I never had any problems with my 1996 3500 that was done the same way - and driven in Ohio winters. YMMV.



Rusty

 

[DCTECH]

I have used Mopar p/n 56038366AB 7 pin connector like on truck along with connector p/n 5017114AA and a length of 7 wire trailer wire and soldered into harness and heat shrinked connections. This way if one plug gets damaged I can quick switch them without undoing any wires.

 

[mwilson]

Was going to do the same as Iceman but found out pigtail on my fifth wheel was long enough to go straight back over tailgate and then down to plug-in with all kinds of slack to turn. Put a spring on it to keep it off top of tailgate and away we go. I have a short body so long body trucks would need a little longer cable. Just a suggestion, depends on your situation. Would do anything but a splice up here in liquid calcium country. :{ :{

 

[mikel]

Iceman,

Your solution is a good one UNLESS you need both plug-ins at the same time (like me)!



Dave

Just to satisfy my curiosity, what do you tow that you need *both* plugs at the same time?



Mike



P. S. I did the same thing that ICEMAN did.

 

[Boomer II]

Truck camper and trailer require both plugs at the same time.