these enhancements are sweet-especially a much easier way to hook camper to truck power-should have thought of it soonerlinkypower coupling 6th item down-so simple7 way umbilical cord at rear of campervideo linklinky2

The problem with cord at the rear is then you have a bunch of extra cord to tie up so it stays out of harms way.And for people that tow, which probably is a good percentage of camper owners, then you have to buy some sort of Y adapter.

gerrym51 wrote:these enhancements are sweet-especially a much easier way to hook camper to truck power-should have thought of it soonerlinkypower coupling 6th item down-so simple7 way umbilical cord at rear of campervideo linklinky2IMHO the power cord change is a step backward. It should be a removable cord with a choice between the original spot and the rear. Many of us use our 7-way for trailers which is why we have campers in the first place! Truck manufacturers provide "camper wiring" harnesses to the front of the bed plus 5th wheel guys often install them up there and it's not like it's difficult to do.Also what little battery charging the factory wiring did will probably be gone by the time it goes all the way to the rear then back to the front of the camper where the batteries are (or should be).I love the windows, though. I saw that style on a 5th wheel this summer and was amazed at how good they look. Plus, no sealer to replace around them.

wnjj wrote:gerrym51 wrote:these enhancements are sweet-especially a much easier way to hook camper to truck power-should have thought of it soonerlinkypower coupling 6th item down-so simple7 way umbilical cord at rear of campervideo linklinky2IMHO the power cord change is a step backward. It should be a removable cord with a choice between the original spot and the rear. Many of us use our 7-way for trailers which is why we have campers in the first place! Truck manufacturers provide "camper wiring" harnesses to the front of the bed plus 5th wheel guys often install them up there and it's not like it's difficult to do.I tow and a Y would just be another thing I'd have to misplace/break. Plus a loop of cord running back and hanging down to the hitch is just another thing that can get snagged by brush on a double track dirt road. In the bed its protected.

My truck had no 7-way in the front of the bed. I used the "Y" for over nine years, with the TC cable in the front of the TC. I recently added a second 7-way on my rear bumper, toward the outside. For me, I find it easier to plug the TC into the truck. I have never had any issues, but it really would be no big deal either way. I added the second receptacle so I did not have to get under the truck to connect the cable to the "Y". It is a small thing, but if I needed to, I could load my TC on a different truck, and would only need to be concerned with tie-downs, the electrical is in place.Wayne

Windows are nice. I don't however know the motivation. 'Frameless' seems a visual-but I haven't pursued the advantages. Dual pane anything is desirable.Rear umbilical, I'd agree with others, I'm not sure. I know many folks do utilize the bumper plug for camper, for whatever reason don't add a dedicated bed plug. In that case it would save some wire lengths and the minimal cost to add bed plug. I simply see it, unless batteries (&weight)are toward rear just more unneeded wire. For those that tow would still require adding another plug or y adapter. Or worse running an extension to use existing bed plug. Id be rewiring the camper for front plug. For me getting under camper to plug in, the extra wire run, rear umbilical doesn't sound like an 'enhancement'.

enhancements | Good Sam Community

SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
Initially the rear electrical cord sounded good (makes it much easier for dealers, that's for sure)

But if your TC has a long overhang, it means crawling under it to plug in.

So the choice come to-

One time cut a hole in the front of the bed and connect to the wires that are provided on most trucks. Plug the TC in each time while standing.

-OR-

Each time crawl under the TC to hook up.

BTW, this might have an interesting side-effect if all other manufacturers go this way. Will Lance and their unique 6 pin interface be forced to supply adapters or change to the new industry standard?
bwanted
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
I wonder if the windows leak like my 2013 lance 1172?
Tarkin75
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Reddog1 wrote:

I am kinda scratching my head at comments that suggest there is only one acceptable method for everyone. I think each individual can decide for themselves which they prefer. Personally, my preferences is to have flexibility and options.

Wayne

This...

Some of us use the one on the bumper as like you noted, not all trucks have a receptacle in the bed. My F-150 certainly didn't, and the camper I bought used had the "plug" spliced in anyways so it was just "easier" to buy a few extra feet of wire splice it back in, seal it all up better than the PO did with the wire nuts, and run it back to the bumper. When I tow I only need the 4 pin, so the boat goes there.

As other's have noted, I never have to worry about "did I plug the truck in". And I don't really use that to charge my batts, so I think it's a pretty good option for them to have.

Later
C
Nautique200
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
I like the change, it looks to me like you can still run the electrical cable to the bed mounted connection that I have in my truck or I can run it to my trailer hitch. It seems as though it will accommodate both situations and I like that.
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 16, 2013
For my use, I was concerned about damaging an in-bed connector when hauling dirt, sand or gravel in addition to giving the the bed another place to possibly rust or collect moisture where I drilled.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2013
I think some of you are making the assumption all trucks have a "bed plug" or holes pre-drilled for one. This is not true.

I use a 6-pin plug when I Flat tow my Samurai. I use a flat plug when I tow my utility trailer. I used the 7-pin to tow my 5th wheel. I wired my TC for the 7-pin. My point is, I have to deal with adapters or add several plugs. I really have no issues with adapters or the 7-pin "Y". I tow my trailers with other vehicles, so without the adapters I would have to re-wire my other vehicles.

I might be more concerned if I used my truck to charge my TC battery, but I do not. If I did, I would use a dedicated cable with a much larger wire size. I would put the cable connector in the front of the TC near my battery location. For those of you that are not aware, all TCs do not have the batteries in the front.

I am kinda scratching my head at comments that suggest there is only one acceptable method for everyone. I think each individual can decide for themselves which they prefer. Personally, my preferences is to have flexibility and options.

Wayne
billtex
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2013
MTRhino wrote:
Way easier than drilling a hole in the box of my truck and splicing into the wires underneath the truck with the mud falling in my eyes.

???

I have used both methods...prefer the plug near the cab.

I have never had to drill holes in my bed for either?

We usually have a hitch rack in the rear or are towing something...crawling underneath and trying to plug in the TC can be...messy...at times.
The bed plug is much easier for us.

Eagle Cap has made many "enhancements" recently...not sure why this fall in that category.

B
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 16, 2013
I use the 7-pin on the rear of the receiver for the TC. When towing, I have a y-adapter attached to my SuperTruss. No problems with this setup and no additional holes in my truck bed.
MTRhino
Explorer
Sep 15, 2013
I tow with the camper and use a Y adapter that I made. Just put it with the tie downs when the camper is unloaded and it is always there when I need it. Way easier than drilling a hole in the box of my truck and splicing into the wires underneath the truck with the mud falling in my eyes.
starcraft69
Explorer
Sep 15, 2013
I have a rear plug and love it. I have nothing haning down to hang up. I do tow all the time and have a dual plug set up on the truck. As for the full length of the truck for the 12v power no problem there charges just fine. Plus most of us have solar. When I unload I unplug when taking off tie downs and simply pull away, dont have to pull forward a little and get out to unplug from the front. Also when leaving the camper on the truck its a easy way to disconect to seperate the truck and the campers 12v systems,(I know you can put on a isolater). I do think the best enhancement would be a plugin eather or Type thing to please the old school and the new school.

My $0.04