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meleavingsoon's avatar
meleavingsoon
Explorer
May 02, 2016

12 volt electrical cord for tail lights

I got our new to us Lance home this weekend and stored inside my shop...now ready to start learning about everything.

One thing I need to resolve is the electrical connection to the truck. When going to pick it up I was unaware of the male plug that the camper had and quickly realized it is not the same as my larger 7 pin female plug in the truck bed. But not only is the plug different, the camper cord is not long enough to reach the bed plug.

My truck does have two female receptacles for trailer plugs...one at the bumper and one inside the bed approx. 6' back from the front (used for a 5th wheel trailer) I would like to be able to plug the camper in at the bed plug so I leave the bumper plug for any trailer I might use.

How/what are my options for a fix? Do I just purchase some type of extension plug and adapters? Or can I just cut off the small 1" male plug on the camper and purchase a 6-8' extension with the larger 1 3/4" male plug?

I really don't want to add a third plug to the truck or relocate the bed plug.

Thanks,
Phil
Truck Campers

16 Replies

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  • meleavingsoon's avatar
    meleavingsoon
    Explorer
    May 03, 2016
    Just so I completely understand the TC plug...is it's purpose strictly to serve as running, turn signal, and brakes lights? If I make an extension cord in some manner and plug into my existing truck plug...am I going to be loosing some feature?

    What would be the advantage to installing a new/third socket up front?

    Thanks,
    Phil
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2016
    Thats what I would do - Pick up a 7-way Plug with short cord from ETRAILER that will fit your 7-way truck bed connector.

    You can order this from ETRAILER and probably also from AMAZON using etrailers part number. Will look like this...



    Etrailer sells these pigtails in two different length sizes.

    Be carful when you call your your truck bed connector a 7-PIN COnnector. It is most likly a 7-SPADE connector. I just call them 7-way or 4-way haha... Trailer connectors comes in PINs and SPADEs

    You can get the read out for the color wires from Etrailer to only tap the rear lights of the Truck camper and the +12VDC Power and Ground...

    You may also run into the problem where the slide in camper doesn't leave much room on the side to plug into the truck bed connector. Be sure to check that out before just ordering the short length version.

    Roy Ken
  • Wheelholder's avatar
    Wheelholder
    Explorer
    May 02, 2016
    Contact Lance direct or a Lance dealer. The plug is proprietary and Lance is the only one that uses it. You can then take a 7 pin plug and wire it on the end of their umbilical cord and make you own. Just make sure you wire it correctly and you are good to go.
  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    May 02, 2016
    I would add the Lance receptacle at the front of bed. Advantage of the Lance plug is accepts a larger charge/ground wire.
    Would require wiring to a good source, it could be tapped into wiring you already have though. Or change out the umbilical with longer cord and matching existing receptacle.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2016
    Make an extension cord. Most RV service shops have the 7 wire cord. Buy a foot or two, the correct male and female ends for your situation and your ready to go.

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