Currently, my 815 is set up for plugging into the rear of the truck. However, want to change this to an in-bed connector for the new truck. Also realize it's best to install it before I have the bed line-x which is scheduled for Wednesday.So I either need to figure it out quick, post-pone the bed liner or do it after.What are y'all using?

Mine is mounted on the drivers side, inside front wall of the bed. It mounts on a standoff bracket which allows the TC connector to plug in "parallel" with the front/back axis of the bed. This required only two small holes for the mounting screws. I did not want to cut a larger hole in the bed. The wire bundle routes through existing openings in the left front corner and down to the wiring harness along the frame rail.

Check with ETRAILER. They have a extension KIT that you can mount on the inside wall of the truck bed and plug it into the 7-way connection on the rear of the truck...Etrailer is all things trailers and connectors...Roy Ken

Mine was installed by a local RV dealer in the front side of the box. Then a spray in bed liner. Camper goes part way in, reach over the side to plug in, back the rest of the way under the camper.

Any auto-parts or RV would have standard blade 7 pole receptacle, but noted you have a Lance-using the proprietary plug? If adapted to truck bumper plug I guess you could use what you have and use a standard receptacle installed in bed, and your adapter to it, or change camper to standard 7 pole. Probably better to order Lance bed plug to install though. Advantage of using the Lance is you could run 8ga for the charge & ground, now or later. Otherwise just convert to standard. Most 7 poles will only accept 10ga. As to Wednesday, I dont see any reason to not go a head and line bed. The new plug shouldn't be 'sealed' to bed and replaceable, no reason that you cant add after its lined. Personally I'd rather have it lined under the receptacle. I added our aux (Top) plug (Pollak or Hopkins), after lining. I used some zinc primer to paint raw edges after cutting hole. I pulled the dealer install (Bargman) one loose to get behind it when lining.

I was in a hurry and probably wouldn't have normally spent the money otherwise, but I went to CW and pulled whatever plug n play adapter they had on the shelf. I think it was a Hopkins all-in-one kit. It basically plugs into the existing harness, leaving the outlet at the hitch open for your trailer, if you have the need. Fairly easy to install. On my truck, undoing the dirty mess at the back of the harness was the most work. Once plugged in, from there, was just a matter of routing the 12' or 13' feet of harness to the front of the bed and selecting an area to drill for the outlet. Sprayed some jiggle can truck, "bed liner" around the hole edges to prevent rusting, drilled holes for outlet and mounted it. Done. Would I pay $80 again and do it the same way? Probably not, but I'm cheap too. The kit made it pretty darn easy, I will admit.I'd buy the bundled wiring and plugs/outlet separately. I'm pretty sure that bundled 7 wire trailer harness by the foot, at Lowes, or Home depot is some where around a little over a $1 per foot. At 12', that's a whole lot cheaper.

In-Bed Connection | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

WVbassmistress
Explorer
Jan 22, 2015
I have seen a couple used 915's out there. I thought that was what you were looking for.
Want to meet up at the NC dealers' show in Raleigh on 2/21?
c_traveler2
Nomad
Jan 21, 2015
kohldad wrote:
Currently, my 815 is set up for plugging into the rear of the truck. However, want to change this to an in-bed connector for the new truck. Also realize it's best to install it before I have the bed line-x which is scheduled for Wednesday.

So I either need to figure it out quick, post-pone the bed liner or do it after.

What are y'all using?

kohldad, I install my in the bed plug after the line X was sprayed in, no problem with spraying the bed first.
kohldad
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2015
Still looking Lisa. Did look at a Lance 915 and Linda agreed with the layout but we didn't like that one.

Have a couple other models to look at too if we can find them.

But the good news is the truck is ready for the camper after the bed liner sits for 24 hours. Camping this weekend anyone? :)
ticki2
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
I think you will be glad you're doing the bed liner first . Otherwise the plug would be embedded in the liner and be a PITA if it needs repair or replacement . You could cut the hole for the plug first so the liner seals the edges .
WVbassmistress
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
Hey, Eric. Did you find your new TC yet?
kohldad
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2015
Thanks guys. I'm going ahead with the liner as that is highly desired before I put the camper in which I'm anxious to do. For time being, I can just use the connector at the back, just can't run the frig on DC until I upgrade.

If nothing else, I learned the Lance connector allows 8 ga wire which will be a plus.
Raften
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
Make sure the install is up near the bed rail. Down low prevents loading things that sit on the bed, batteries in my case. Also up high makes it easier to plug in.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
Installing the receptacle after bed liner is not an issue. The back plate covers the hole by quite a bit.
jason4598
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
I bought the lance wiring, then put a connector on the end to plug into RAM trailer plug at rear of bed.
joeshmoe
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
I was in a hurry and probably wouldn't have normally spent the money otherwise, but I went to CW and pulled whatever plug n play adapter they had on the shelf. I think it was a Hopkins all-in-one kit. It basically plugs into the existing harness, leaving the outlet at the hitch open for your trailer, if you have the need. Fairly easy to install. On my truck, undoing the dirty mess at the back of the harness was the most work. Once plugged in, from there, was just a matter of routing the 12' or 13' feet of harness to the front of the bed and selecting an area to drill for the outlet. Sprayed some jiggle can truck, "bed liner" around the hole edges to prevent rusting, drilled holes for outlet and mounted it. Done.

Would I pay $80 again and do it the same way? Probably not, but I'm cheap too. The kit made it pretty darn easy, I will admit.

I'd buy the bundled wiring and plugs/outlet separately. I'm pretty sure that bundled 7 wire trailer harness by the foot, at Lowes, or Home depot is some where around a little over a $1 per foot. At 12', that's a whole lot cheaper.