Does trailer connector need to be in pick up box

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Thousands of miles and no rub marks on cord from tailgate."

Are there any marks on the tailgate from the cord? ;)

Not on mine. I used to put a length of foam pipe insulation over the cord until I realized I didn't need that either.

RustyJC wrote:
If the umbilical is long enough, it's your choice. Even with conventional 5th wheel hitches, some people plug into the hitch receiver (bumper) receptacle. I prefer to use a 7-pin Pollak receptacle in the bed with my B&W Companion hitch simply because I don't want the umbilical dragging back and forth across the top of the tailgate.

Rusty

and a differing "JC" opinion......

Been using the bumper plug for ten (10) years with no problem.
When I first got a 5th - it was quick, easy and convenient.
Figured if I thought I needed a plug in the bed, I could move it to the bed at some later date.
"Later" has never arrived.

I do have a "V" tailgate. The cord 'rests' in the "V" on it's way to the bumper.
So *no* "dragging back and forth" on top of a factory TG.
(wouldn't like that either!)

I use a short bungee at the top of the "V" with a couple of wraps around the cord to handle the slack I intentionally leave in the cord.

Hitch is a PR SuperGlide. The trailer has been maneuvered in conditions where the slider moves - with no ill effects on the cord or connection.

To date - the cord shows no chafing or wear from "riding in the V",
has never caught on anything - or been accidentally disconnected.

So to answer the OP's question - NO the connector doesn't "need" to be in the pick up box......

However - depending on the type of hitch and/or your concerns.....
if it makes you feel better, what's one more hole in the bed?..:@

~

"Thousands of miles and no rub marks on cord from tailgate."

Are there any marks on the tailgate from the cord? ;)

I feel better. First ever RV. After driving home from the dealer the first day, discovered I had been dragging the cord. So not even owned for an hour, and there I was splicing the cable to fix where it had almost sanded through several of the wires.
Someday an in-box plug, but I use a couple of bungee's to keep the excess in the bed. Plenty of give, so it it needs the extra it has it - but that hasn't happened.

When I bought my 5er in Alberta and told them I was moving to B.C., they said the B.C. law was it had to be inside the p/u box. So I have both, but use the inside box plug.

fj12ryder wrote:

Darryl&Rita wrote:
You either have an in-bed receptacle, or you want one. I've added multiple kits, similar to RoyB's, to family members and friends trucks. All advantage, no disadvantage.

Hmm, don't have one, don't really want one. Where does that put me? :)

With me. Thousands of miles and no rub marks on cord from tailgate.

I use the bumper connector. Have since the truck was new. I have the RV tailgate with the v-notch cutout and it works fine. Except for the too long a cord on our new one which drug and I shortened it to eliminate the bare wires. GRIN.....

I use the factory tailgate so I have to lower it to connect the trailer to the in bed connector. While the gate's down I connect the umbilical cord along with the emergency brake cable then close it. All done without squatting :) Can't imagine anything more easier than that.

Different strokes I guess.

For 11 yrs I've used the bumper plug with a bungie attached between the cable and the pin box. Never had issue and I find it easier to attach.

Last Summer I had a connection go bad on my in-bed plug, so I used the bumper plug until we got home. As above, I cable tied a ring to the cord and used a bungie to keep the extra in the back corner of the box to prevent dragging.