Placement of electric plug in truck bed

[a_flyfisher]

As I've said here on prior posts, I'll be buying my first truck camper in the spring - a Northern Lite 10-2 CD Special Edition.

I already have an electric plug in my truck bed that I've used for my fifth wheel, which is located near the rear of the truck bed behind the wheel well on the drivers side, just below the bed rail.

Will this plug location work for the truck camper, or is it better to have the plug located in front of the wheel well? (My truck is a 2011 F-350 dually 4x4, which has an 8' long bed. The truck sits high as it is, and I'm just 5'8" and practically need a a stool to stand on to reach the plug where it is located now, but maybe that's irrelevant.)

Thanks, John

[towpro]

a_flyfisher wrote:


By the way, is it snowing much on your side of the "mountain" this morning. Our 6" forecast has just amounted to only a couple inches so far.

No. went out and snow plowed around 8, there was maybe 3", now that is going down since ground is warm and sun is shining, but its only 26 outside :(.

once again the weather forecasters struck out.

[CuriousGeorge]

I own a 2017 Northern Lite 10-2 EX SE CD sitting on a 2012 Ford F450 SuperDuty. In-bed connection is a reach from underneath the patio; but doable. Wife and I unplug at the Northern Lite end (we use about a 6' jumper) and lay it over the front of the LR fender of the dually.
I think, for safety sake, I am going to use a long piece of bungee cord so I can ensure the cord doesn't fall under a tire. I do like laying it on the fender so I don't set the camper on it.

Willing to send you pictures. Honestly, my dealer supplied the jumper. I see no reason to move your connection in the bed. Good luck!

[a_flyfisher]

towpro wrote:
I would stick with the one in the rear. in an emergency you can get your hand into that area to re-seat the plug if required.

when loading camper, I plug cable in, than run it up over fender so it stays out of bed as I back the camper on. once loaded, just drop it down into space between camper and truck bed.

Thanks. Sounds like that's what I'll do, and try to keep from hitting my head when I reach under to plug it in.

By the way, is it snowing much on your side of the "mountain" this morning. Our 6" forecast has just amounted to only a couple inches so far.

[a_flyfisher]

Thanks, Troutguy. I was thinking about the prospect of sitting the camper down on the electric cord. I suppose as long as it reaches my existing plug, I'll just have to be careful with the cord when I lower the camper. If I have to get an extension for the cord that would probably be the easier and cheaper solution.

Incidentally, I like your user name. I'm kinda a trout guy at heart as well.

John

[towpro]

I would stick with the one in the rear. in an emergency you can get your hand into that area to re-seat the plug if required.

when loading camper, I plug cable in, than run it up over fender so it stays out of bed as I back the camper on. once loaded, just drop it down into space between camper and truck bed.

[Troutguy]

The only thing you would have to do is make an extension to reach your existing in-box plug. I would rather do that than drill a new hole in my truck box and you don't have to get underneath to run new wiring to install a front mounted plug. You just have to be aware of not setting your camper down on your extension when lowering the TC into the box.
Again just my opinion. BTW I used to have a Clacka drift boat and sold it to buy a Hyde 17'......shoulda kept the Clacka.....top notch boat.
TG