Forum Discussion

Curly2001's avatar
Curly2001
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2020

Plug in truck bed or use plug in bumper for 5th wheel

Just curious to see how many of you add a plug in the bed of your truck to plug in the 5th wheel or do you use the one in the bumper? On my old truck they put a plug in the bed of the truck to plug in the trailer and when I lost a rear tire, so went the whole plug and wire harness. It tore it all out. I replaced the cable for about a $100 but may use the plug in the bumper on the new truck. Just looking at both ways to go so if you have a recommendation, please let me know.
Thanks,
Curly
Tow Vehicles
  • Curly2001's avatar
    Curly2001
    Explorer II
    Jan 12, 2020
    Thanks so much. I think I will put one in the bed of the new truck for the brakes. Sorry about the confusion on the other post and the 110 volt plug. Just should have ask about the 12volt/brake plug.
    Curly
  • Ranger_Smith's avatar
    Ranger_Smith
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2020
    Lwiddis wrote:
    Isn’t the factory installed 110 plug in the cab and bed limited to 400 total watts?


    He's talking about the plug to connect the trailer to the truck for the trailer lights, brakes, etc.
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2020
    Added an add'l plug to inside of box above wheel well area as truck didn't come w/ 5th wheel prep. Ran whip for plug down to main harness (e-trailer). Np problems other than the fact being vertically challenged, I cannot reach either the hitch or the plug so have to use a step that goes over the tire.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 12, 2020
    Factory installed 'in-bed' plug for my 5th wheel

    Only have bumper plug.then an in bed plug can easily be added.
    Simple plug/play acessory harness and mounting hole---done

    Check for them on etrailer.com
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jan 12, 2020
    In bed plug is what I use for my truck camper, which is the same as what would be used for 5th wheels.
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jan 12, 2020
    Lwiddis wrote:
    Isn’t the factory installed 110 plug in the cab and bed limited to 400 total watts?


    He's talking about the 12v plug for trailering - the one for lights, battery charging, brakes, etc.... NOT 120vac for shorepower.
  • lenr's avatar
    lenr
    Explorer III
    Jan 12, 2020
    My Ford has the optional "in bed" plug, and I use it all the time. On a prior trailer I had inadequate braking from the trailer, and in the process of checking things out, I found that the bed plug had about 1 volt less on the brake line (at full brake) than the bumper plug. The wiring harness went to the bumper first since that is standard, and then on to the bed. So, I assume that the longer wire and one more crimp connection increased the voltage drop.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jan 12, 2020
    My current truck came with the in-bed plug plus the bumper plug. I normally use the in-bed plug, but have also used the bumper plug a couple times. Either works fine for me. My previous truck only had the bumper plug and never a problem with it towing the 5er several years with it.

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