plug in the bed and other stuff...
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 210
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From: Albuquerque, NM
plug in the bed and other stuff...
Hey guys,
I haven't been around the FTE in awhile, been off doing the Jeep thing...
(talk about turning radius!!!)
Anyways, I got a smokin' deal on a '01 Cougar 28' 5th wheel. I have always had regular travel trailers, so I need a little help!
I am going to pull the 5er with my '08 SD. I ordered it with all the camper package, trailer package, except I didn't get the factory brake controller, it came with a pigtail to wire an aftermarket controller in, so that looks easy enough.
What about the plug that goes in the bed to hook the 5er up to? Does the truck have a connection to plug into or do I need to splice in? Just hole saw the bed for the plug? What harness do I buy? Any other recomendations are welcome!
It is awesome forums like this that taught me how to build my '03 SD, and a great Jeep forum that schooled me in the Jeepin'. I am mechanical and not afraid of installs, just want to do it right the first time with good equipment,
Thanks.
J.
I haven't been around the FTE in awhile, been off doing the Jeep thing...
(talk about turning radius!!!)
Anyways, I got a smokin' deal on a '01 Cougar 28' 5th wheel. I have always had regular travel trailers, so I need a little help!
I am going to pull the 5er with my '08 SD. I ordered it with all the camper package, trailer package, except I didn't get the factory brake controller, it came with a pigtail to wire an aftermarket controller in, so that looks easy enough.
What about the plug that goes in the bed to hook the 5er up to? Does the truck have a connection to plug into or do I need to splice in? Just hole saw the bed for the plug? What harness do I buy? Any other recomendations are welcome!
It is awesome forums like this that taught me how to build my '03 SD, and a great Jeep forum that schooled me in the Jeepin'. I am mechanical and not afraid of installs, just want to do it right the first time with good equipment,
Thanks.
J.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
There are a couple of ways of doing this. Pickup an extension similar to http://www.etrailer.com/c-VWH5W.htm.
Mount the female end inside the bed behind the center stake pocket.
Temporarily remove the male end. Thread the wire bundle thru the hole at the top of the front side of the left rear stake pocket. Then down the inside of the stake pocket. It comes out below the body just to the left of the frame. Secure wiring inside the bed below the bedrail. No drilling required. Except to mount the plug bracket to the inner side wall of the bed.
Now you can reattach the male end and plug it into the factory installed female receptical. Everything will work fine. They sell rubber condoms that fit over the male plug when it's not in use. (secure the male end to the hitch frame when not in use)
Or they sell adapters that will allow you to unplug factory tow harness - plug in adapter (for your bed mounted receptical) - plug factory tow harness into adaptor. Now wire your extension to the addaptor (leaving the male end off).
Mount the female end inside the bed behind the center stake pocket.
Temporarily remove the male end. Thread the wire bundle thru the hole at the top of the front side of the left rear stake pocket. Then down the inside of the stake pocket. It comes out below the body just to the left of the frame. Secure wiring inside the bed below the bedrail. No drilling required. Except to mount the plug bracket to the inner side wall of the bed.
Now you can reattach the male end and plug it into the factory installed female receptical. Everything will work fine. They sell rubber condoms that fit over the male plug when it's not in use. (secure the male end to the hitch frame when not in use)
Or they sell adapters that will allow you to unplug factory tow harness - plug in adapter (for your bed mounted receptical) - plug factory tow harness into adaptor. Now wire your extension to the addaptor (leaving the male end off).
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 210
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From: Albuquerque, NM
So the factory plug under the bumper hitch is the correct wiring configuration? I either run a line from that to the bed or just plug in directly to the bumper hitch plug? No wiring changes needed?
Another question: The 5er hitch I am going to be using is a RBW that is 10 or so years old. It does not tilt side to side as I have seen some of the Reese hitches do. Any concerns with this? It is only going to be making a couple trips a year to the lake (400 miles round trip) to park it on the beach.
Any advice for installing the hitch myself, my buddy said to get the pin directly over the rear axle or an inch forward of it, sound good?
Thanks for the answers!
J.
Another question: The 5er hitch I am going to be using is a RBW that is 10 or so years old. It does not tilt side to side as I have seen some of the Reese hitches do. Any concerns with this? It is only going to be making a couple trips a year to the lake (400 miles round trip) to park it on the beach.
Any advice for installing the hitch myself, my buddy said to get the pin directly over the rear axle or an inch forward of it, sound good?
Thanks for the answers!
J.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 0
From: Utah County, UT
I think it is hoppy that makes a plug in adaptor that has a y junction where the spare tire is at and then about 8' or so for a second female plug to be placed where you want it. I have several other items on mine I used a 12 point bus bar and placed it in a project box. I have a plug in the bed, one at the bumper, a couple relays for reverse lighting, extra 12V power point in the bed as well as lighting under the bed rail.
On the hitch, if you have a long box, I'd go 4" in front of center, if it is a short box then you might want to keep it center or 1' as suggested for the added clearance to the cab.
On the hitch, if you have a long box, I'd go 4" in front of center, if it is a short box then you might want to keep it center or 1' as suggested for the added clearance to the cab.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Albuquerque, NM
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Millersville, MD
Here's how I did mine...just removed the connector with the bracket and run the wire up under the tailgate and attached it right there...see the pics below. Been there for over 2 years and 30,000 miles...vertually NO wear thaks to the covering over wire that was already there. Lots of turn room for the trailer too....
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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Originally Posted by snakebit
It's a short bed, so keep it aournd 1"-2" forward?
J.
J.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 501
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Originally Posted by snakebit
What is a slider hitch?
Any thoughts on my RBW that doesn't tilt? Is it any good?
J.
Any thoughts on my RBW that doesn't tilt? Is it any good?
J.
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-5WH~40476.htm
then they have automatic sliding hitches.
http://www.pullrite.com/superglide.htm
if i had a shortbed then i would get the pullrite. i am stupid and would forget to slide it back. its not cheap, but its cheaper than a cab.
i have not towed with a hitch that did not pivot so i can say if that is a big deal or not.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 210
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From: Albuquerque, NM
I am trying to keep this as cheap as possible and not get a new hitch. Maybe someday I'll get a new fancy hitch. This hitch has been in two short bed trucks (a SD and A GMC 2500) with no problems, so I imagine it will work for me.
Are the tilting hitches that much of a benefit? I saw the only tilt 5 degrees or so.
J.
Are the tilting hitches that much of a benefit? I saw the only tilt 5 degrees or so.
J.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,498
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From: Windsor, Colorado
Originally Posted by snakebit
So the factory plug under the bumper hitch is the correct wiring configuration? I either run a line from that to the bed or just plug in directly to the bumper hitch plug? No wiring changes needed?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
If you have the long bed P/U, don't worry about the tilt. I've been using a REESE since '94 and IT never had side-to-side tilt. Never a problem. If you HAVE ONE, it's a nice feature as it allows for easier other than straight back in hook-ups. But again...there was never a situation where I absolutely needed it.