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umbilical hardwire

toddb
Explorer
Explorer
I'm a new owner of a 2010 AF 992. I've been fixing up little things on it and the umbilical is a hodgepodge of parts.
What is the point of disconnecting it from the camper? I was just going to hard wire a new 7 pin using a trailer box. I don't see any clearance issues loading since it would stick out as far as the current plug.

Thanks
Todd
23 REPLIES 23

toddb
Explorer
Explorer
wnjj wrote:

Our Eagle Cap is hardwired and not a problem. The cord comes out the side with some sealer around it. When loading I just hang the end up over the jack motor until it’s time to plug into the truck and lower it down.


Thanks, that's what I'm getting at.

toddb
Explorer
Explorer
The truck is a 2015 F350 so it'll disconnect from the onboard batteries in the camper. The AF does have a 6pin at the front, but it's not in good shape.

I'm just looking for a reason as to why this is done on a truck camper. I've had toy haulers/flat trailers that were all hard wired and I've never had any issue. If I install a junction box cable replacement would be easy.

Thanks
Todd

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
I need to modify my first response.
Year, make and model of truck would help.
Is the camper battery in the camper? If yes, you should have some type of isolator to prevent camper from draining battery.
If battery is under the hood and not used as part of truck's system then isolator between the batteries should be installed.
I prefer a relay type isolator over the diode based style.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Arctic Fox uses a 6-pin bullet connector on the camper side and the 7-blade trailer connector on the truck side. I prefer that setup over my current fixed cord on the Host since a removable one is easier to stow, repair or replace.

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

wnjj
Explorer II
Explorer II
OP was asking about disconnecting the cord from the camper I think. I assume there’s normally a female socket on the camper and uses a double ended cord.

Our Eagle Cap is hardwired and not a problem. The cord comes out the side with some sealer around it. When loading I just hang the end up over the jack motor until it’s time to plug into the truck and lower it down.

ardvark
Explorer
Explorer
I would check. The reverse pin has no connection to the brake pin on a seven pin connection so no way for the brake controller to sense it.

There are quite a few complaints about this on the Internet.

hedge
Explorer
Explorer
^ interesting. Pretty sure mine is charging but I've never checked it. I do have a backup camera wired to the reverse wire, maybe that's enough for it to detect.
2017 F350 Platinum DRW
2013 Adventurer 89RB

ardvark
Explorer
Explorer
On the 2017 model Fords on, however, you do not have an active charge lead unless the module detects a trailer brake in the circuit, which is kind of a bummer! I wish they would stop trying to solve problems no one is having!

https://fordbbas.com/non-html/Q-263_Trailer_Tow_02212017.pdf

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Some tow vehicles do not shut off the charge line to the trailer. Disconnecting the umbilical cord prevents the trailer from discharging the tow vehicles battery.
Fords for example has a relay that disconnects the 12 volt charge line to the trailer.

Other vehicles that do not disconnect charge line can be easily changed by installing a relay operated from a "hot" in run position control circuit.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker