7 pin connector lock?

[Roundtwo-40]

Not going to start a debate on the benefit of locking things, Lets just assume it will make me all warm and fuzzy..:) Anyhoo, does anyone know of a lock for the end of the 7 pin electrical connector? For me it would fulfill 2 objectives,l some added level of security, and keeping the end clean and free of debris. I have spent some amount of time both here and online without any good results..(next million dollar idea)? or I just stink at searching..:)

Any suggestions?

[reasley]

We boondock with our offroad trailer frequently. Since the trailer is often parked in the middle of no where, I wired a female 7 pin into the front of the tongue box, so the cable between the trailer and the vehicle is male/male. The cable gets unpluged on both ends and stored in the tow vehicle. As added security, trailer hitch slides into a receiver on the trailer tongue, so when we drive off and leave the trailer, it has no hitch and no trailer plug.

[mosseater]

If you are trying to lock it for security reasons, I won't be much help. I do a walk around everytime I stop to check such things, and it's pretty hard for someone to unplug it while I'm driving.

For peace of mind, I use a section of bicycle inner tube to pull up around the locking door flap. It holds it all together and helps keep dirt and water out to boot.

[K3WE]

I purchased a female plug do serve as a contact protector and think it helps a lot. HOWEVER, you have to be sure to put it at the right angle or it traps water instead of repelling it.

As to LOCKING it for SECURITY? I guess you are saying that no turn signals and no brakes and no jack retraction is going to discourage a thief from hooking up and hauling it off? I'm afraid that some wire cutters and 10 min of wiring will fix whatever sort of lock you want to put there.

[Roundtwo-40]

So in a nutshell here is my problem and correct me if I'm wrong but to operate my electric jacks even with the battery removed all one has to do is plug in the TV correct? (And again not starting a debated on the worthyness of locking things) So I guess as suggested I will build my own.

Thanks for the replys!

[BruceMc]

When I had to deal with those poorly designed 7 pin connectors, I would use a small bungie to hold them together. I can't believe an whole industry uses those devices.

Once we sold the 5ver, I went back to the connectors with the 6 pin round style. It mirrors the larger trucker style, and has a much more positive connection method.

Our new 2012 Canyon has a factory 7 pin RV connector in the rear bumper, so I had to purchase an adapter for our 6 pin round & 4 pin flat trailer connectors. I'll probably replace the 7 pin with a 6 pin, or perhaps add a 6 pin round in another spot at some point in the future.

[camperforlife]

Lynnmor wrote:
Plug Guard

Don't know if this will help, but it is what I use.

Love it, I'm getting one. I have used old male plugs before but I always seem to lay them down & lose them.

[DRSMPS]

Tisdelle RV gives these out for free when you purchase something. www.tisdellervsurplus.com.

Basically a plastic compartment that your connector plugs into that has a spring door on it to cover it when not in use. You mount it to the tongue of the trailer and plug your connector into it to keep it clean and secure. It is angled downward, so even if water was to enter it - it will self drain.

[wa8yxm]

I too have never seen a lock for the cable, but if your intent is clean ends, Get a 7 pin connector SHELL from any auto or RV place (no connector just the shell and door( and install it in the trailer.. If a 5er I'd put it so it's on the underside of the "lip" where the king pin is. and plug in there.

if you wish to lock it, a padlock and bracket are all that are needed, If you need I can design something but basically....

A "L" bracket (A wide one) from Lowes or Home Depot et-al, with holes for the padlock shackle, and set it up so the padlock goes just below the plug preventing it's removal from the shell.

Or yoy could use s simple eye bolt Just replace one of the 4 shell mounting screws with an eye bolt and nut (to tighten to the shell) But I'd put a bigger lag-type eye bolt next to the shell, make sure the padlock prevents removal of the plug from the shell.

[Lynnmor]

Plug Guard

Don't know if this will help, but it is what I use.

[Matt_Colie]

While I am unsure of what you really want to do, I have two interesting answers.

We had the J560b plug stolen from our boat trailer when it was stored in a side lot for a long regatta series. My father had mounted a steel box on the tongue to carry the parts that were loose when the sloop was not traveling. So, he cut a notch in one side and ever after stored the plug in the locked box.

A friend had an antique TT that he took to shows. He wanted to be able to run the clearance and tail lights from the trailer battery/converter. So, he put an extra receptacle (the TV end) in the front of the body of the TT and wired it with switches and indicator lights so that they could be turned on inside.
Side benefits:
1-Nothing can make nests in the plug while it is in the receptacle.
2-He added two more switches so he could also test the tail lights from the coach battery.
3-When he caught someone taking apart his plug, he added a short (very short) loop of stainless aircraft cable. He now puts a padlock though that loop and up tight against the back of the plug so it cannot be removed from the receptacle.

Does one of those get you where you want to be?
Matt

[Roundtwo-40]

Yeah could have been more specific I guess, it is a TT and I want to lock the trailer end.. 🙂

[path1]

Is this 5th wheel or trailer?
If trailer...Locking it in place...if you hit some junk on the on road with it locked down, it for sure has no chance of breaking free and will take other wiring with it. Having it just plugged in, maybe you can pull over and plug back into socket if you hit some junk. Stealing a cord doesn't rate that high on things to steal, but never know.
If 5th wheel..very little hangs down below bumper, lock if you feel better.

Does somebody even make a lock for that?

[tanman32225]

I can understand the problem. My 7 pin has a spring door lock also. The turning of the FW puts a slight strain on the plug, I suppose, and it will come loose especially when I make tight turns. I now secure the plug with the door and lay the slack of the cord across the receiver hitch with the hitch in place. I then wrap a bungie cord around the cord to fasten it to the hitch. Now when the FW turns the strain is at the bungie and not on the connector.

[Peg_Leg]

I don't know of any lock for the trailers plug. Putting dielectric grease in the connectors will help keep them free of corrosion.