Bed mounted 5th wheel plug HELP!!!!!
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Bed mounted 5th wheel plug HELP!!!!!
I had my local RV dealer mount my Ford OEM 5th wheel trailer bed connection. When it came time to plug in the two plugs I couldn't find any place to connect to. My understanding was their are two plugs along the left frame rail that I plug into. So I went to the local ford dealer and checked a new truck on the lot which was connected already. It seems mine does not have the two empty plugs along the frame Rail. So what are my options. I can use an adapter to go into the existing bumper connection. Leaving for oregon next week with new fifth wheel so hope to figure it out as soon as possible. Thanks in advance for all the great advice as always.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
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From: Washington state
I assume you are talking about the RV electrical connection that is located by the factory high on the driver's side towards the back of the bed. When your local Ford dealer installed the female part to the side of the bed (if I understand you right) he should have hooked it into the wiring harness for you. I would take it back and make them do it right. My truck came with the factory plug all ready to go.
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From: newark,de
CascadeF250 must have missed the part where you said your RV Dealer installed the plug. What I don't understand is, why didn't the rv dealer complete the wiring even if the connections weren't there? He should have been able to locate the wire harness and tap into an exposed area, that would be the way they normally hook up any vehicle that didn't have a factory plug in. That's assuming that there is no factory plug to connect to, and on that I don't know whether you would have to have the rv prep package to get those connections, maybe someone with more expertise in that area can clear that up for you.
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Fifth wheel plug
I was under the impression that all the 2011 F250s came with the plugs for the plug and play OEM bed mounted kit. Perhaps they are only installed with the fifth wheel prep kit. The installer didn't want to cut wires before asking me because I had told him he could just plug it in into the factory connection point which he couldn't find.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: So Cal
There is not a separate plug to plug the f/w plug into. There should be a T at the end of the new plug harness. You unplug the existing harness that is at the back of the truck and plug the two ends into the two ends of the T.
Edit: Not so much a T as the end has two plugs spliced into it. One male and one female. This is the one I used, not sure if the OEM one is the same.
Pollak 5th Wheel / Gooseneck T-Connector with 7-Pole - Ford, GM, Nissan w/ Factory Plug Pollak Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring PK11893-11932
Edit: Not so much a T as the end has two plugs spliced into it. One male and one female. This is the one I used, not sure if the OEM one is the same.
Pollak 5th Wheel / Gooseneck T-Connector with 7-Pole - Ford, GM, Nissan w/ Factory Plug Pollak Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring PK11893-11932
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
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From: Maryland
There is not a separate plug to plug the f/w plug into. There should be a T at the end of the new plug harness. You unplug the existing harness that is at the back of the truck and plug the two ends into the two ends of the T.
Edit: Not so much a T as the end has two plugs spliced into it. One male and one female. This is the one I used, not sure if the OEM one is the same.
Pollak 5th Wheel / Gooseneck T-Connector with 7-Pole - Ford, GM, Nissan w/ Factory Plug Pollak Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring PK11893-11932
Edit: Not so much a T as the end has two plugs spliced into it. One male and one female. This is the one I used, not sure if the OEM one is the same.
Pollak 5th Wheel / Gooseneck T-Connector with 7-Pole - Ford, GM, Nissan w/ Factory Plug Pollak Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring PK11893-11932
If the truck had the fifth wheel prep package there would be no need to install your own bed plug as that is part of the package. The wires should be hanging to the inside of the left frame rail or laying on top of it sort of just behind the spare tire.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 50
From: Washington state
CascadeF250 must have missed the part where you said your RV Dealer installed the plug. What I don't understand is, why didn't the rv dealer complete the wiring even if the connections weren't there? He should have been able to locate the wire harness and tap into an exposed area, that would be the way they normally hook up any vehicle that didn't have a factory plug in. That's assuming that there is no factory plug to connect to, and on that I don't know whether you would have to have the rv prep package to get those connections, maybe someone with more expertise in that area can clear that up for you.
You are right I missed the part about the RV dealer install. I agree with you that the RV dealer should have completed the wiring along with the installation of the plug. Their work is the same as building a bridge to nowhere.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Vancouver Island
Have another look for those plugs, don't hack into the wiring unless absolutely necessary and if so I would take it to Ford and have them do it or you could end up with other electrical issues. This comes from recent personal experience.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: North of Salt Lake City
Here some pics of the after market "T" plug. This is similar to what DoubleTrouble linked to and does not need those two extra OEM plugs on the frame rail. In this photo you can see where the harness plugs in between where the factory harness plugs into 7 and 4 pin connector behind the bumper.
This is the harness going up to the location where the in-bed plug is installed:
This is where I cut a hole in the bed and installed the 7 pin plug. I prefer this location because it's easier to get to with the bed extenders installed.
This is the harness going up to the location where the in-bed plug is installed:
This is where I cut a hole in the bed and installed the 7 pin plug. I prefer this location because it's easier to get to with the bed extenders installed.
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From: newark,de
Great pictures from EpiCowlick as usual he has some valuable info to pass along. One thing that I would do with this plug in set up, would be to put some electrical putty around the plugs where the wires are exposed to the weather. It stays pliable and you just press it all around the plug and wiring. It may not be needed but it seems like a good idea to just take the putty and wrap it around any exposed areas to keep water and contaminates out. I had one of my early connections short out inside due to the weather getting into the backside of the plug. Just an FYI and the putty can be found in Lowes or Home Depot in the electrical area.
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