Dragging the 7-way connector

[jrdebono]

During my last trip to Missouri and discovered that every time I checked to see why I had no trailer breaks, the 7-way was up under the Trailer (Palomino S-17). I ended up having to reconnect the cable three times. The last time the plug bounced up and hooked itself under the trailer which ended up stripping way around 7 inches of cable insulation and flatting down one side of the plug.

My question is what am I doing wrong? When I first started out I made sure the plug was fastened and secured and every time after that when I did not have trailer breaks. Am I making my turns to tight?

Any info would be helpful.

John

[jrdebono]

I went to the dealership last week to get a replacement 7-way connector/harness to replace the damaged one. It has a Pollak connector on it. Thanks for all your input. I guess it was an accident waiting to happen, had my Palomino for a couple of years and this issue just came up on my last trip.

[Powderhog]

I have worked on many trailer connectors and there are as many slight variations to 7 way plugs and cord ends as there are trailers, the biggest issue I have seen is the one piece molded cord ends have deviated from the original Pollak design. I agree with Bob Landry, cut off the molded end and put on a Pollak end. Make sure the latch works when done.

[Oaklevel]

I had to replace my truck plug as the spring the closes the door / holds the plug in had gone bad (The plug door just flopped closed no spring).... So the plug would not stay in long.....Luckily I have two plugs I can use the other, having a fifth wheel until I could change the bad plug.

[mkirsch]

Bob Landry wrote:
Really?? I think that everyone here is bright enough to figure out that the cover of the truck's plug latches the 7-way plug in place and that if the plug is not seated properly the cover doesn't latch.

The OP implies that he was not aware that the door was a latch. Go back and read for yourself.

If the spring on the door is good and it's latched, it's IMPOSSIBLE for the plug to come unplugged without breaking something.

Even if the plug was yanked because the cord was too short... It would break the door or yank the wires out of the plug. Surely the OP would have noticed either of those things.

I only mentioned it because I have made that mistake myself when I was in a hurry. Luckily the plug did not come unplugged on the road, and everything worked fine, but I noticed it wasn't latched when I got to my destination.

[Bob_Landry]

Really?? I think that everyone here is bright enough to figure out that the cover of the truck's plug latches the 7-way plug in place and that if the plug is not seated properly the cover doesn't latch.

If you have to jimmy with the plug to get it to work, then there is clearly an incompatibility between the two plugs and one needs to be changed. Obviously, that would be the one on the trailer cord since you can but them for around $7. Most of the trailer manufacturers use Bargman plugs/cables and they have known compatibility issues with anything but another Bargman plug, which the truck manufacturers are not using.
Just go buy a Pollak plug, put it on and go camping.

[jrdebono]

I thought of that scenario as well. For the last leg of our trip, I laid down on the ground and pushed real hard (with a wiggle) to ensure the plug was seated properly. It staid until I got home. It was possible that I was in a hurry and set up properly.

[mkirsch]

Possibility #3: You aren't getting the plug fully seated, so the latch/cover can't engage.

Sometimes it can feel like the plug is fully inserted and the latch is engaged, and everything works. Except, it isn't.

If you weren't aware that the door is a latch, and that would be the first thing to check, it's very possible that you could be coming up short on the plug-in because it feels like the plug is fully seated.

I only hold the latch door up to get the plug started. After that I let it push down on the plug. When the plug is fully seated, the latch door will make a little "pop" as the latch engages the notch on the plug.

[JBarca]

I agree the cover spring may be getting week.

I had a similar issue and it was not the length. Ever since I now have a heavy duty twisty tye in wrap around the cable and the cover. And the twisty is tethered to the 7 wire cable so I do not loose it. This double wire twisty comes on garden hose hoses. It only last about 8 months and need a new one if you camp a lot. The trick listed about about using solid copper wire is a good thought. I may try that when my stock of twisty ties runs out.



Having this unconnected is not good. This is where a truck that has some level of being able to stop you for your size camper comes in handy. I my case the camper is almost at 10,000# when loaded. I have been fortunate I could engine brake to slow down then stop with the truck. Even if you have a good cover, tying it locked is not a bad idea. I know I will now always tie mine.

[Bob_Landry]

The cover on the truck's connector should hold the plug in place.

I ran into a no brake problem shortly into my last trip. I had all of the trailer lights but no brakes and the truck said trailer disconnected. After some research, I found out that the plug that Keystone put on my trailer was incompatible with the truck's (Ford)plug. I also had issues with the same trailer, different truck, so I knew it was a problem with the trailer connector. I found a dealer in Hot Springs and picked up a Pollak plug, wired it onto the trailer's 7 conductor cable and it literally snaps into place. Many of the trailer manufacturers use Bargman connectors, and they don't seem to be compatible with much except another Bargman component. I would try that before replacing the trucks connector. A Pollak 7 way plug is only about $7 and it's even marked so you know which wires go where.

[old_guy]

if you are having troubles then look at it from both views, too short or the latch on the truck is broken, check both before making a correction, it might be the wrong answer and you will spend money needlessly. they do make 8 ft cable if you need one, and they run about $45 or a little less. they also make extension cables but I see they are more than the 8 ft cable.. they are $74 each.

[jrdebono]

Thanks, I was sort of leaning towards that side of the connection. This "cover" was installed when I got my first camper. So it has been on the vehicle for a quite a few years ago. So it is possible that it finally decided to give way. As far as the cable being too short will not be the issue because I have pulled this particular camper for a couple of years (made three or four trips) so I am leaning towards the latching assembly on the tv.

Thanks for all your inputs.

John

[skipnchar]

You probably need to replace your connection on the truck. Every one I've had is locked into position by the cover (its a cover when nothing plugged into it). It is ALSO very difficult to unplug. If yours is falling apart then it's likely worn out and need a new one. Be sure you get one with a cover so it will actually LOCK the connection together.

[Terryallan]

Yeah, I'm guessing it is too short. Make it just long enough that it does not drag the ground when hooked up.

[calamus]

I run a piece of #10 copper wire around the plug and around the truck plug. I have not lost the plug on my camper it plug in the bed of the truck but my flat bed to haul the tractor I have lost before and same thing it ground the plug in half from then on I just wire it in. I think it was my fault not locking it in but not taking any chances and have not had any problem since I started wiring it up. if to short add some wire and a new plug I pull my wires through an old air hose I have to protect them.