We have a fifth wheel on order and I need advice on where to put the trailer electrical plug. I see that the plug kit says between cab and rear axle on inside wall of bed. Do any use the stock plug on bumper? Also, do you keep the tailgate or get a fifth wheel tailgate? Thanks

I would suggest that you try the bumper location of the plug and see if that meets you needs. If located in box and it is to far back you will need a lot of clearance to reach under trailer overhang to get plug in place. Also try your truck tailgate and see if it works.I have used the bumper plug and std. tailgate on my current 5th for 8 years now.

randygk wrote:We have a fifth wheel on order and I need advice on where to put the trailer electrical plug. I see that the plug kit says between cab and rear axle on inside wall of bed. Do any use the stock plug on bumper? Also, do you keep the tailgate or get a fifth wheel tailgate? ThanksTalk to a hitch/trailer shop (NOT the dealer) and get a quote for having them do it. I was quoted about $150, locally. Most I've seen are just ahead of the tailgate, on the sidewall.Lyle

Never removed my tail gate. They do sell extensions so you can string the unbelicle cord to the factory location at the rear bumper. Personally, I mounted a 7 way plug in the bed side wall close to the rear. Works well there and easy to reach.

I've always used the bumper and I've never had a problem.. I also use the factory tailgate.

Bumper plug works for me...and I do some pretty tight turns getting it parked at my house

Soon to be fifth wheel hauler | Good Sam Community

john_bet
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2015
Roadtrippin wrote:
I've always used the bumper and I've never had a problem.. I also use the factory tailgate.
Been doing it this way for 10 years. No signs of wear on cord or tailgate.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2015
Ah, California.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
Bumper plug is ghetto... If u can afford a 5er you can spend the $30 on a bed plug kit. It's plug-n-play... Arms length from tailgate on drivers side is where you want it mounted.
Timay
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
I got one of these and installed it myself. My hitch guy suggested to put it on the drivers side about 1 foot in from the tailgate, which I did and find it handy. One thing I did discover - unplug the umbilical before unhitching! Otherwise it blows fuses...

Tim
rhagfo
Explorer III
Apr 04, 2015
fj12ryder wrote:
I use a V-type gate and the plug on the bumper. Works well for me, as I don't want to lower/raise the gate every time I hitch up. The plug on the bumper is easy for me to reach since I couldn't reach one that was in the bed without lowering the gate, which defeats the purpose of the modified tailgate.

This also works great for me.
jasult
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
I just use the one at bumper. Here is my poormans fiver tailgate :B
bfast54
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
I have mine inside the bed a couple inches up from the bottom on the drivers side near the back kinda between the fender well and the tailgate

and I do stock tailgate because I have a taunueu...cover---- that way I can secure everything
kaydeejay
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
Another vote for the receptacle in the box, left side, just ahead of the rear corner.
Hooking up is no issue with the tailgate down, which it has to be for hitching anyway.
RollandB
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
Inside the bed, drivers side, just about to the tailgate
bpounds
Nomad
Apr 04, 2015
I like the in-bed location, with either type of tailgate.

As for where in the bed, I had mine installed in the rear corner stake pocket, facing forward. If I had to do it again, I would put it in that stake pocket, but facing to the side. I chose the forward facing direction thinking that it would be less likely to snap on cargo sliding in/out of the bed. But it makes plugging the cord kind of awkward. Snagging cargo now seems unlikely and unimportant.

I suggest you have one put in the bed now. You can still use the bumper socket, or the in-bed socket, whichever suits your fancy.