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Pigtail from 7 plug to camper

FireGuard
Explorer II
Explorer II
A buddy bought a new Ram with the 5th wheel prep which includes a female plug in the bed for the 5th wheel.
I was thinking rather than splicing into the truck wiring, is it possible to make a pigtail that plugs into the truck plug and add a female adapter to the other end that the camper plugs into?
This would eliminate messing with the truck wiring and would be a quick change if you ever switched campers that used a different plug.
13Jeep Wrangler
07 Ragen 21FB
12 Yamaha Super Tenere
14 Suzuki DR 650
13 REPLIES 13

Reddog1
Explorer II
Explorer II
RoyB wrote:
As noted above check with ETRAILER.COM Great folks to work with...

... ETRAILER has the one that will mount inside the truck bed and then plug into in the standard 7-way connection on the bumper of the truck. You do not need to tap into any of the truck wiring doing it this way.

Looks like this setup...
This is my preference, and what I used for years. I see no need to do extra wiring.

If you tow a trailer, then you might need a "Y" or an adapter for your existing 7-pin. I am currently setting up my new-to-me truck for the TC and towing a vehicle. There are many adapters and other options.

I do not use the charging system on my truck for the TC. I have a flat 4-pin and a flat 7-pin on my truck. I will use the truck flat 7-pin for my towed (and trailers), and use the flat 4-pin with Reese Towpower 74184 Plastic 4-Way Flat to 7-Way Round Vehicle End Adapter or Hopkins Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole for the TC. For my needs, I think the Hopkins has more options in the install and use.

Wayne


2004.5 Ram SLT LB 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4
1988 Bigfoot (C11.5) TC (1900# w/standard equip. per decal), 130 watts solar, 100 AH AGM, Polar Cub A/C, EU2000i Honda

Toad: 91 Zuke

FireGuard
Explorer II
Explorer II
Thanks for the replys, More common than I expected.
On the new Ram with 5th wheel prep they mount a 7 way female plug in the left rear corner of the bed.
Some campers are different. Lance uses a smaller round plug so you would have to have the appropriate adapter.
13Jeep Wrangler
07 Ragen 21FB
12 Yamaha Super Tenere
14 Suzuki DR 650

jason4598
Explorer
Explorer
Yes it is possible to do that. I did my RAM that way and it works fine.

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
As noted above check with ETRAILER.COM Great folks to work with...

I personally would think the adding the 7-way connections on the inside of the truck bed near the tailgate would be best solution but ETRAILER.com does have a 7-way Extension Cable setup to do what you are saying... ETRAILER has the one that will mount inside the truck bed and then plug into in the standard 7-way connection on the bumper of the truck. You do not need to tap into any of the truck wiring doing it this way.

Looks like this setup...


I too was thinking the TRUCK CAMPER uses a different setup connection to the truck. Shown above it what folks use to hookup to their 5th wheels from their truck bed. I was thinking the truck camper has a special looking cable to connect to the truck. Never dealt with that but do check out more what you need...

Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS

NautiqueFamily
Explorer
Explorer
tonymull wrote:
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/TorkLift/TLW6524.html


Looked at that - Plug ends + wire + wire cover <<< $155.99 😉

AND you can adjust length and insure proper fitment/wiring.

Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Explorer II
K Mac wrote:
Are you sure it's a female ? I have the 5th wheel pkg. in my Ford and it's a male. Also my umbilical cord that came with my N.L. Is a double female.


I wondered this, too. If it IS, it's always good to remember that depending on how you plug it in, the male ends of the plug could be electrified (says the lady who wired a 30-amp connector the wrong way, and now had big warning letters to plug in the camper BEFORE plugging into the stanchion)
Ed, Deb, and 2 dogs
Looking for a small Class C!

eHoefler
Explorer II
Explorer II
The charge line in the harness with the truck is 10 ga and fused at 30 amp.
2021 Ram Limited, 3500, Crew Cab, 1075FTPD of Torque!, Max Tow, Long bed, 4 x 4, Dually,
2006 40' Landmark Mt. Rushmore

NautiqueFamily
Explorer
Explorer
That's what I did. From Bed 7-way to Northern Lite Camper and split to superhitch extension 5-way for the boat trailer. Confirm truck, camper and trailer plug wiring. Truck Utility 7-way and RV 7-ways are not all equal - esp. if TC is Canadian.

K_Mac
Explorer
Explorer
Are you sure it's a female ? I have the 5th wheel pkg. in my Ford and it's a male. Also my umbilical cord that came with my N.L. Is a double female.

Reddog1
Explorer II
Explorer II
No need to make a pigtail. There are adapters for most any configuration.

You need only to determine what the truck is (probably 7-pin) and the TC. Google here

Wayne


2004.5 Ram SLT LB 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4
1988 Bigfoot (C11.5) TC (1900# w/standard equip. per decal), 130 watts solar, 100 AH AGM, Polar Cub A/C, EU2000i Honda

Toad: 91 Zuke

tonymull
Explorer
Explorer
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/TorkLift/TLW6524.html

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Look along the frame rail at the back of the cab. Some trucks have the harness coiled up there for camper connection.
Tork lift makes such an item. Little pricey.
Torklift

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

d3500ram
Explorer III
Explorer III
It should work, but you will still have a small gage charging wire and no disconnect from the truck batteries when shutting down (unless the newer Rams now have upgraded these.)

I am doing something similar as what you want but am using the flat 4 patch cord instead (and running a separate 8 gage charge with continuous duty solenoid.)
Sold the TC, previous owner of 2 NorthStar pop-ups & 2 Northstar Arrows...still have the truck:

2005 Dodge 3500 SRW, Qcab long bed, NV-6500, diesel, 4WD, Helwig, 9000XL,
Nitto 285/70/17 Terra Grapplers, Honda eu3000Is, custom overload spring perch spacers.