Dragging the 7-way connector

Get some small bungie cords and wrap one around the plug and the little flap that protects the male plug on your tow vehicle. Simple solution and keeps the plug from coming out. That little flap should have a catch that catches to the trailer pig-tail.

Either the cable is too short to allow turns or it is getting hooked on something. I had the same problem, broke the receptacle on the truck first trip out. Because the cable exits the trailer under the nose of our fiver and the receptacle is under the tail gate, I made an extension then tied it up with a short bungee behind the gate to keep it from hanging too low. Now that I have the bed torn out to repair some water damage I can move the cable exit further back.

I run a piece of #10 copper wire around the plug and around the truck plug. I have not lost the plug on my camper it plug in the bed of the truck but my flat bed to haul the tractor I have lost before and same thing it ground the plug in half from then on I just wire it in. I think it was my fault not locking it in but not taking any chances and have not had any problem since I started wiring it up. if to short add some wire and a new plug I pull my wires through an old air hose I have to protect them.

Yeah, I'm guessing it is too short. Make it just long enough that it does not drag the ground when hooked up.

You probably need to replace your connection on the truck. Every one I've had is locked into position by the cover (its a cover when nothing plugged into it). It is ALSO very difficult to unplug. If yours is falling apart then it's likely worn out and need a new one. Be sure you get one with a cover so it will actually LOCK the connection together.

Thanks, I was sort of leaning towards that side of the connection. This "cover" was installed when I got my first camper. So it has been on the vehicle for a quite a few years ago. So it is possible that it finally decided to give way. As far as the cable being too short will not be the issue because I have pulled this particular camper for a couple of years (made three or four trips) so I am leaning towards the latching assembly on the tv.

Thanks for all your inputs.

John

if you are having troubles then look at it from both views, too short or the latch on the truck is broken, check both before making a correction, it might be the wrong answer and you will spend money needlessly. they do make 8 ft cable if you need one, and they run about $45 or a little less. they also make extension cables but I see they are more than the 8 ft cable.. they are $74 each.

The cover on the truck's connector should hold the plug in place.

I ran into a no brake problem shortly into my last trip. I had all of the trailer lights but no brakes and the truck said trailer disconnected. After some research, I found out that the plug that Keystone put on my trailer was incompatible with the truck's (Ford)plug. I also had issues with the same trailer, different truck, so I knew it was a problem with the trailer connector. I found a dealer in Hot Springs and picked up a Pollak plug, wired it onto the trailer's 7 conductor cable and it literally snaps into place. Many of the trailer manufacturers use Bargman connectors, and they don't seem to be compatible with much except another Bargman component. I would try that before replacing the trucks connector. A Pollak 7 way plug is only about $7 and it's even marked so you know which wires go where.

I agree the cover spring may be getting week.

I had a similar issue and it was not the length. Ever since I now have a heavy duty twisty tye in wrap around the cable and the cover. And the twisty is tethered to the 7 wire cable so I do not loose it. This double wire twisty comes on garden hose hoses. It only last about 8 months and need a new one if you camp a lot. The trick listed about about using solid copper wire is a good thought. I may try that when my stock of twisty ties runs out.



Having this unconnected is not good. This is where a truck that has some level of being able to stop you for your size camper comes in handy. I my case the camper is almost at 10,000# when loaded. I have been fortunate I could engine brake to slow down then stop with the truck. Even if you have a good cover, tying it locked is not a bad idea. I know I will now always tie mine.

Possibility #3: You aren't getting the plug fully seated, so the latch/cover can't engage.

Sometimes it can feel like the plug is fully inserted and the latch is engaged, and everything works. Except, it isn't.

If you weren't aware that the door is a latch, and that would be the first thing to check, it's very possible that you could be coming up short on the plug-in because it feels like the plug is fully seated.

I only hold the latch door up to get the plug started. After that I let it push down on the plug. When the plug is fully seated, the latch door will make a little "pop" as the latch engages the notch on the plug.