Forum Discussion

belairbrian's avatar
belairbrian
Explorer
Jun 10, 2016

In bed 7 pin connector

I was at the hitch shop today and picked up the Hopkins in bed kit for the 2500HD. It's an 07 Classic with 8 ft box.

On the 03 long box I put it on the driver's side at the rear.
The cable is 10 feet long so I'm guessing that is to allow putting it forward of the wheel wells.

Is there any advantage to having it forward? I never had problems with it being at the rear just curious if I'm missing something.

My first thought was the cable comes out behind the pin so the rear makes more sense. But they must have made it 10ft long for a reason.
  • If it is in front of the wheel well and you are tall enough or have a step you can stand on you can lean over the bed rail and plug the cord in with the trailer attached. But being that far forward, it could possibly interfere with things you may load in the bed in front of or beside the hitch.

    Behind the wheel well as mine is, I don't have enough space to get my head between the 5er overhang and the bed rail. So I have to lean around over the lowered tailgate to plug in. But I can reach it fairly easily. Still some possible issue with something in the bed. But I have carried a child's bike laying in the bed behind the hitch several times and no problem with the cord. Mine was installed behind the wheel well near the tailgate by the factory.
  • You can add me to the list. Front and rear tool box but the rear is a V-box. also have an air hitch and a 55 gal inbed fuel tank. Don't ask me to go and pick up some lumber etc.

    chevman
  • rockintom wrote:
    For my situation I disagree with the previous comments. My truck has a rear tool box and we had the to purchase a new truck and paid to have someone swap the hitch and toolbox (we were traveling). The guy installed the connector behind the wheel well and in front of the toolbox. Almost impossible to connect with the trailer on the hitch. I remounted it in front of the wheel well. I wished I had done that years ago. It is real easy to connect. Just make sure you have enough cord coming from the trailer and figure the length on a sharp left turn. Just my .02 worth. rockin'


    Well... YOUR situation is unique so disagree all you want. Don't know many who run a toolbox in the rear and pull a 5er.
  • For my situation I disagree with the previous comments. My truck has a rear tool box and we had the to purchase a new truck and paid to have someone swap the hitch and toolbox (we were traveling). The guy installed the connector behind the wheel well and in front of the toolbox. Almost impossible to connect with the trailer on the hitch. I remounted it in front of the wheel well. I wished I had done that years ago. It is real easy to connect. Just make sure you have enough cord coming from the trailer and figure the length on a sharp left turn. Just my .02 worth. rockin'
  • No idea why they make the cable so long. Mine is also longer than I need but it just lays in the bottom of the truck bed out of the way.
  • I've always had the same thing. Left rear corner. Very convenient when hitching.

    That's why it seemed odd that the cable is 10 ft long. The parts guy said they used to be 6ft then Hopkins started making them longer.
  • Mine is about a foot forward of the tailgate on drivers side. Pull cable from inside of pinbox and connect. Done...

    I see no advantage to having it further forward.
  • Way back in the day, our Lance TC had the cable near the front, so the plug was in front of the wheel well.

    All the gooseneck trucks we have now have the plug installed near the tailgate, for ease of access for making the connection while the tailgate is open.
  • Some people plug it in by the bumper. There is no advantage to putting in the front. Put it wherever it is easiest to reach.

    B.O.