So, I did something dumb today. How much will this cost me ?

[Crambo]

I forgot to hook my cord up to my truck when I pulled out of the campground. Now about 3 feet behind the plug, the rubber was chewed up by the road exposing the wires so I’m going to have to replace it. I can see where it goes into a hole and looks like it is routed above the enclosed underbelly. How hard is it to get into the underbelly or should I just let the dealer mess with it?

[opnspaces]

enblethen wrote:
This is an easier way to go. Long enough(?) then hide excess length for future error.
cable with connector

I used the one enblethen linked for my trailer and it worked really well. I also used a multimeter and checked the continuity of the plug to the wire color and verified it was color coded correctly before I started. I think all in all it took me 15 minutes and my connection is much better than the original one.

[Huntindog]

If this is the worst thing that ever happens.... Consider yourself blessed.

On the flip side, the good times certainly far outweigh the bad.

Welcome to the world of RVing.

[CavemanCharlie]

Crambo wrote:
I forgot to hook my cord up to my truck when I pulled out of the campground. Now about 3 feet behind the plug, the rubber was chewed up by the road exposing the wires so I’m going to have to replace it. I can see where it goes into a hole and looks like it is routed above the enclosed underbelly. How hard is it to get into the underbelly or should I just let the dealer mess with it?

Is it exposing the copper of the wires ???? Or, did the outside sheath get chewed up and the individual wires inside are still protected by their insulation ?

If the individual wires still have good insulation on them you can just wrap the outside with electrical tape really good. Then keep a close eye on the spot.

And, actually , if it was me even if one or two of the inside wires were down to the copper and the copper wires themselves were not worn thin I would tape each one on it own and then tape the whole thing up. But, I'm a Caveman and I do things like that.

Do you have a favorite auto mechanic that can give you a good deal in repair ? If so he may be cheaper then the RV dealer and fix you up easily.

[LadyRVer]

On my first fifth-wheel, mine pulled out on the way home from the dealer..
roughed up the 7 pin connector a little, but worked fine after that. I found it when I got it home.

[profdant139]

I have made similar mistakes when rushing to leave. We have two solutions: first, we now have a thorough checklist that we go over just before pulling out of the campsite. Sometimes we forget to check it, unfortunately.

Second, we loudly remind each other not to rush -- that rushing causes errors. We shout this at each other as we are sprinting past each other to get ready to go asap.

[enblethen]

This is an easier way to go. Long enough(?) then hide excess length for future error.
cable with connector

[jimlj]

How much will this cost me? A couple bucks a foot for the cord and an hour or so of time.
Replacing the cord is not a hard job for anyone with a few screwdrivers and the knowledge of how to use them. You can buy the 7 conductor cord at most auto parts stores. Remove the plug end from the old cord and attach to the new piece of cord. Hook up the wires as they are connected into the trailer wiring and you are good to go. Just measure the length of cord you need before you buy it. I didn't follow this advice and bought a piece of cord a few inches too short, which means I waisted 6' of cord.

[enblethen]

I stand corrected!
Around here the utility have the round.

[mike-s]

enblethen wrote:
Utility trailers use a different connector. The pins on an RV connector are blades, pins on utility trailer are round.

Nope. We're talking about Bargman 7-pin connectors, left and center here, not the one on the right:

[enblethen]

Utility trailers use a different connector. The pins on an RV connector are blades, pins on utility trailer are round.

[mike-s]

People keep saying the cords are color coded. While that's true, they're not telling you that there are at least two different color codes. One is used mostly for RVs, the other for utility trailers. They're incompatible.

There's no guarantee that whatever replacement cord you get will color coordinate with the existing cable.

[RoyB]

I replaced my damaged 7-way cable with a new one from ETRAILER com. They have two length sizes as I recall... My cable got pinched somehow and wiring was showing through the wire cover. Everything was all still working just showing a bunch of the inside cable wiring

Mine terminates into an electrical junction box just under my trailer box. Mine uses the large yellow twist-on connectors and it was wire color for wire color. Easy hookup...

When I get ready for a trip I always plug in my 7-way cable and do a SAFETY light check walk-around the trailer with my truck flashers 'ON'. I most often squirt some WD40 into the plug area and move around the plug alittle before I latch down the locking lid... This cleans off my connections somewhat...

My pull-out in my neighborhood brings me too a stop sign inside our housing area and I always stop here using the finger knobs on the trailer electric brakes to stop (Not the truck foot pedal)... Sort of my final initial checks before hitting the road...

Roy Ken

[enblethen]

Normally there is a box or terminal strip where the umbilical cord changes to the trailer wiring, Some time they are inside a lower cabinet.
The seven conductor cable is color coded. Replacement cables will be the same.

[dave17352]

Don't feel bad Crambo we ALL make silly mistakes now and then. I know I sure have. If you poke around in your trailer you may find where they junction into the wiring. Then take a picture and use your old cord as a fish tape and pull the new one to the junction area and re connect. Using your picture as a guide.
As far screw ups go I would list this as a level 2 on a one to ten RV scale of screw ups.

As another poster mentioned make model and year may help someone give you more exacting advice.