Wire Harness Adaptor

[TowPro]

I have an 06 3500 with trailer package on order. I will need to add a 7 pin connector into the bed. On the past 3 or 4 trucks I just cut into the wire harness and spliced everything. Does anybody make a plug in adaptor so I don't have to cut up the factory harness?

 

[klenger]

Here's how I did mine: http://www.klenger.net/dodge/7-pin-connector-installation/index.html



Someone else recently posted that they were able to find some kind of "T" adapter that plugged into the receiver connector. Not sure where they got it, but it sounds like a great idea. Hopefully they will chime in.

 

[MartyK]

That was me. I added a 7-way connector to the bed of my truck in the same location klenger has his. Use his instructions they are very helpful. (Thanks Ken) The one thing I did differently was I purchased a Draw Tite t-connector 18381. This connector plugs into the factory wiring harness on the backside of your 7-way connector. I then did all my splicing in this piece and did not have to cut into the trucks wiring harness. This works on the 05 I don't know about the 06.

 

[TowPro]

Thanks Marty, I found the 18381 on the Reese site, but the site had no information about it. I sounds like it "T's" into the factory harness and gives me pigtails that I can splice my bed mounted 7 in into? That's what I am looking for!



One thing nice about ordering a new truck, you got time to plan all these things out! First Planed camping trip with new truck. Easter in the Outerbanks of NC. Should be some good fishing that time of year!

 

[MartyK]

TowPro, try www.draw-tite.com. Then go to 'Electrical' then 'T-one connectors'. They have a picture and a brief description of it.

 

[TowPro]

Thanks. Draw-tite and reese are the same company now. In fact I think there websites are both the same server with some different graphics

 

[jwduke]

That looks like a really neat way to move it to the box, with out chopping up the factory wiring harness.

 

[Road9]

I have an 06 3500 with trailer package on order. I will need to add a 7 pin connector into the bed. On the past 3 or 4 trucks I just cut into the wire harness and spliced everything. Does anybody make a plug in adaptor so I don't have to cut up the factory harness?

about to order 06 3500 ,Please pass on what you end up doing. Thanks, road 9 4/15/06

 

[HBarlow]

I've been using a seven pin extension harness on my '06 since early April when I bought the truck and on my previous '01 since I've owned a 5er. I used a male plug on the end of the harness that had to be plugged in to the bumper mounted seven pin receptacle every time I pull a 5er. When towing a conventional trailer the male end was hidden under the bumper. Not real convenient or smooth but I didn't want to cut and splice the factory harness.



Immediately after reading the posts above a few weeks ago I ordered the seven pin in-bed extension harness from etrailer.com. I installed it today. It is a high quality Reese/DrawTite product and a very slick design. The harness requires no soldering, splicing, or connection of small terminal lugs or even smaller screws in a confined space. It is a simple "plug and play" device. The female end of the harness that provides the in-bed receptacle has a neat plug end that is removable. Once the harness is run up under the truck and through a hole in the bed side the female receptacle slips on and latches with a factory type locking connector. The male end of the harness that extends to the rear bumper area of the truck has two plugs . . . a male and a female. Simply remove the plug from the back of the factory RV receptacle, plug one end of the new harness back in and attach the other new plug to the OEM factory towing package harness. It is electrically the same as a "T" fitting but is actually two separate male and female plugs. Nice quality, easy installation, and works great. The Dodge computer can't sense a change in wiring impedance or voltage to set an alarm because nothing in the truck wiring was changed and there will never be a time when both receptacles are in use at the same time. I don't think the harness will ever be subject to water entry or corrosion either as it is made up with OEM factory quality fittings.



I'm sure that any RV industry retailer that sells Reese/DrawTite products can order the adapter harness but I've been using etrailer.com for several years. They have a nice website and ship promptly. I bought a bad product from them a few months ago and had no problem returning it for full credit. I recommend them as an excellent internet retailer.



Here's a link to the product on etrailer.com's website: Scroll down the page until you see Part Number 20111 for the Dodge application. If you order online make sure the order form asks for the year, make, and model of your application. I had to call to straighten that issue out.



http://www.etrailer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=E&Category_Code=VWH5W



Harvey

 

[Silver_Ram]

I got a kit from Dodge that puts a 7 pin plug in the bed. In sits behind the drivers side wheel well. It has piggyback connections for the lights, it has it's own relay & you run 2 wires. One for power & the other hooks into the blue trailer brake wire. Cost was $99. 00



At the time they had one for 3rd Gens also.