I have a 2017 5th wheel and the cord from the trailer to the truck continuously gets loose connections every time I plug it back in. I have to take a small flat blade screw driver and bend the female blades on the trailer side of the connection back closer together for it to make contact. Is there not a better type of connection?? I've never had it happen after the connection is made, the brakes always work and I would become aware of this immediately if the connection opened up. But now I'm wondering about the brake and parking lights. How would I know the brake light is not working.....dangerous situation. There must be a better quality electrical connection available!!

Could even be your truck connector. I have both the bumper 7 pin connector and the in-bed 7 pin connector. Sometimes the cord to the in-bed connector does not make contact well on my 5er running lights and I have to push and wiggle to get the lights to work. But once they do, they are good til the next time. When they may or may not connect. Sometimes I use the in-bed and sometimes the bumper, and I never have the problem with the 5er connected to the bumper connector. Looking inside both the bumper and in-bed connectors, I can see no obvious difference. And like you, I have tried the screwdriver to the pins routine.

The first thing I would be checking, is the cord a little too short to fit securely into the plug on the truck? When turning, maybe there is just enough bind on the connection to bend the blades without pulling out completely? 2nd thing I would check is the receptacle on truck to make sure the content points are not cracked or broken?I tow a fiver. I am sure someone will have some better ideas for you. This is just a start I would check.

Never had a problem with any of the specific pin connections. I wiggle the plug while pushing it in and the spring loaded cover has a lip on it and is intended to keep it from backing out.

I always spray alitle WD40 into the connector and move it all around when plugging in... That cleans up the connectors pretty good for me. The exports on here will say to use Contact Cleaner Grease Lubricants..I also find it handy to have one of these 7-way adapters aorund when you are having problems with lights etc... This plugs into the truck side and you can see the small LED's work telling all is OK form the truck side... Got mine from AMAZON...google imageSome folks use stretch rope to keep the trailer cable from being pulled out of the 7-way connector on the truck...Roy Ken

poorly made connector .. replace it.. or claim warranty.truck connector..dielectric grease made for connectors..

Bad electrical connection between trailer and truck

Endricken
Explorer
Mar 20, 2017
You might want to try this or get one for future issues..."RV Connector Maintenance Kit" which includes the plugin "analyzer" and cleaning tools - great for tarnished connectors
https://www.genosgarage.com/product/ipa-8028/tools
Good Luck!
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Mar 20, 2017
Likes to tow wrote:
The type connector I have looks like this....scale it up so you can see the dual blades. Mine continuously open up and when I bend them back to look like this picture they open up again after a time or two of hooking up my trailer. The metal is not very springy and stays open...

Yes....and......??

All of that indicates that the connector is poorly made and needs to be replaced.
Likes_to_tow
Nomad
Mar 19, 2017
The type connector I have looks like this....scale it up so you can see the dual blades. Mine continuously open up and when I bend them back to look like this picture they open up again after a time or two of hooking up my trailer. The metal is not very springy and stays open...
https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Mighty-Cord/A10-7W6.html
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 19, 2017
Since you are bending the trailer connector I would replace that first.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Wiring-sf-Trailer_Connectors-pt-Trailer_End_Connector.aspx
JohnG3
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2017
Installed a 7 round pin in the bed several years ago and no problems. I made a jumper if I need a the trailer towed by someone without the round pin connector. E-trailer has the parts as well as the plug and play wire loom for my Ford truck.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
Chuck_thehammer wrote:

dielectric grease made for connectors..

Dielectric grease is an INSULATOR and using it INSIDE the connection surfaces will cause more problems than it fixes.

Conductive grease is much better for something like this. It looks like a paste form of graphite......because that is basically what it IS.

A careful inspection should indicate which connector is the source of the problem (gunk or corrosion evident) and that one should be replaced.

WD40 is rich in solvents and cleans pretty good BUT a lot of it should not be left in the connectors. Over a long period of time, it will start leaving a stick film with will hold dust and dirt. Flush out with alcohol or compressed air after you let it soak for a while.
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 17, 2017
Correct the bad connection before adding anything like lubricant or dielectric grease. Those things are not conductive and will not make a bad connection better but can make it worse.
Nothing works better electrically than a clean, dry connection that's tight and free of corrosion.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 17, 2017
Sounds like a bad plug on the 5er, either get replaced by dealer, or just replace your self. Make sure cable is long enough so doesn't pull on the plug.

Is the spring loaded cover on the TV receptacle engaging the lug on the 5er plug to secure the plug?
fulltime5er
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
Most likely a bad plug on the trailer. I haul RVs for a living, and I had that happen to me once. Got a $100 ticket from DOT because the right turn signal didn't work. Had to bend the tab with a screwdriver. Only happened that one time, and it was defiantly the plug, not the truck connection.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
poorly made connector .. replace it.. or claim warranty.

truck connector..

dielectric grease made for connectors..

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Bad electrical connection between trailer and truck

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