I am switching from a truck camper to a Heartland Sundance XLT 245. I plan on using the plug location I had installed in the bed of my truck by Lance, but it is in front of the wheel well as opposed to the rear. I do not think this will matter, but will the plug being in front of the wheel well cause any issues while towing as opposed to behind?I plan to use this location as all of the wiring is already brought up there (minus the brake controller wire) including fused 8-ga from the battery to charge. I just need to run the brake controller wire and change out Lance's 6-pin plug to a standard 7-pin.Thanks in advance.

It will be less convenient for you to plug/unplug, but should not be a problem while towing.Jerry

I had my plug in the box just ahead of the wheel well for last 20 years. It worked great. Had the idea to mount behind wheel well in March when I tradedtrucks and it is not good as the hooked up trailer blocks good access to the plug. Randu

Be sure to check out ETRAILER.COM for all of your trailer connector needs. They also have a ton of install info on their site... Might give you some good ideas on what to do...Roy Ken

I have had 3 5ers and 4 pick ups since 1992 and always had the 7 pin plug mounted in the bed in front of the drivers side wheel well with no problems. I find it much easier to plug and unplug the cord in this location.

bogart661 wrote:I have had 3 5ers and 4 pick ups since 1992 and always had the 7 pin plug mounted in the bed in front of the drivers side wheel well with no problems. I find it much easier to plug and unplug the cord in this location.Me,too. My 6 Chevys came with the optional "fifth wheel" wiring in the front. This year, my 2015 Chevy came with the wiring in the back---not as easy as in the front.

7-pin wiring | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

brittsnbirds
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
Good job avvidclif1, definitely want to use the right gauge. That could cause for a "HOT" situation especially if your stuck at a light with your foot on the brakes for a while!! Hopefully would fry a fuse first.
clotus
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
avvidclif1 wrote:
From the RV Doctor website

Brake Size Amps/Magnet
7 x 1-1/4 inches 2.5
10 x 1-1/2 inches 2.5
10 x 2-1/4 inches 3.0
12 x 2 inches 3.0

10' of 18ga automotive wire is rate for 15A max. You will be 10-12A draw.

16 would probably be a better choice. What size is the wire you are tapping into?

Well just did a little research and will be getting dirty again. Looks like 12-ga is standard, so I was way off. I did not think the brakes would be powered by the wiring, but receiving a signal. Guess I was wrong.
avvidclif1
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
From the RV Doctor website

Brake Size Amps/Magnet
7 x 1-1/4 inches 2.5
10 x 1-1/2 inches 2.5
10 x 2-1/4 inches 3.0
12 x 2 inches 3.0

10' of 18ga automotive wire is rate for 15A max. You will be 10-12A draw.

16 would probably be a better choice. What size is the wire you are tapping into?
clotus
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
Ok well I tracked down the brake controller wire and wired up a 7-pin connector. I used 18-ga wire and tapped into the rear of the truck near the factory plug. It is about a 6-8' run.

QUESTION: Will 18-ga be enough?
brittsnbirds
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
My 2009 2500 HD has the wiring harness under the bed just behind the cab on drivers side. It is part of the tow package.

The moron that installed my 5th wheel hitch put the plug with a splice in the back near tailgate. Thank god he used the plug style to splice into the rear light plugs and didn't cut the wires. Why in the heck didn't he just use the harness to a 7 pin plug?

If I knew he was going to do it that way I would have saved him the effort (and me $$) and done it myself. Some of the installers aren't the sharpest tacks in the box. Avoid Truck Trailer and Hitch in KC.
JesLookin
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
With our old truck, I installed the connector directly above the wheel well. I put it there because I had to be there to latch the hitch anyway. Worked perfectly for 11 years. New truck has the connector behind the wheel well. I prefer it above the wheel well, but not enough to move it on the new truck.
RustyJC
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
Miles Away wrote:
The 7th pin is for back-up lights. If you can live without them, just change the plug on your new trailer to a 6 pin.

I would strongly advise against changing wiring or plugs to anything other than the standard 7 pin Pollock arrangement used by truck manufacturers and towable RVs. Sure, you might be able to tow your uniquely-wired RV, but no one else could in an emergency. (And, yes, I've bailed out a number of RVers by towing their rigs due to breakdown of their trucks or personal illness.)

Rusty
clotus
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
Miles Away wrote:
The 7th pin is for back-up lights. If you can live without them, just change the plug on your new trailer to a 6 pin.

Truck camper has reverse lights, the 7th pin is most definitely the brake controller.

Thanks for all of the help. Now to track down an easy location to tap into the factory brake controller wire.
Miles_Away
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
The 7th pin is for back-up lights. If you can live without them, just change the plug on your new trailer to a 6 pin.
cummins2014
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
Looks like you will either be standing on the tire or in the bed itself to plugin. Doubt very much that you will be able to do it standing outside the truck, I know with my truck I couldn't. As far as it working can't see any problem there.

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7-pin wiring

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