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Old 02-10-2014, 11:54 AM   #1
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5th wheel in bed trailer connection

I'm getting ready to install the electrical connector for the 5th wheel in the wall of my truck bed. I am curious as to where you located the connector in your truck. In the rear behind the wheel well or to the front ahead of the wheel well?

I know the standard seems to be in the rear back of the wheel well just ahead of the tailgate. But, someone pointed out to me that if it is mounted a head of the wheel well that it was easier to hook up the trailers umbilical cord without ducking your head under the trailer and over the tailgate.

So what was your choice and recommendations?

As always thanks in advance,
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Old 02-10-2014, 12:05 PM   #2
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I just use the connection on the bumper, but if I was going to install one in the bed it would be in the middle of the tool box I have installed.



Right under the jack.
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Old 02-10-2014, 12:15 PM   #3
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Installed mine in the typical location...between wheel well and tailgate.
Idea...If you have space in sidewall between top of wheel well and bed rail...This would free up storage space behind wheel well...Once plug is in this area, not much you can do with that area (if that's important to you).



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Old 02-10-2014, 12:21 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy View Post
Installed mine in the typical location...between wheel well and tailgate.
Idea...If you have space in sidewall between top of wheel well and bed rail...This would free up storage space behind wheel well...Once plug is in this area, not much you can do with that area (if that's important to you).

I agree, but the truck is a dual rear wheel F350 and the way the bed side is cut for the clearance it doesn't allow for access or room.
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Old 02-10-2014, 12:23 PM   #5
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Mine is in the standard position behind wheel well but have had some connection problems so started using the socket on the bumper and it is much easier to connect so I may just continue using that instead of buying a new connector/wiring kit.
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Old 02-10-2014, 12:28 PM   #6
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Mine is on the driver's side just in front of the tailgate. Connect it before you raise the tailgate. Disconnect it after you lower the tailgate.
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Old 02-10-2014, 12:29 PM   #7
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Mine was put between the driver side rear fender wheel well & the tailgate. Need to watch for bracing inside the inner fender. But it is a Dodge Duelly 8' Bed. Used a hole saw to cut the bed
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Old 02-10-2014, 01:14 PM   #8
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Here is where I have always installed mine. Driver side rear side of bed. Done the last three trucks this way. Easy to get to.

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Old 02-10-2014, 01:15 PM   #9
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If you have a OEM plug installed on the bumper, why would you want to install another. Seems like a waste of time and money to me, unless of course, you have lots of both. I would think that an inbed connection would be harder to access and connect over a bumper one.
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Old 02-10-2014, 01:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rugged Brown View Post
If you have a OEM plug installed on the bumper, why would you want to install another. Seems like a waste of time and money to me, unless of course, you have lots of both. I would think that an inbed connection would be harder to access and connect over a bumper one.
Don't like the cord rubbing back and forth over tailgate while turning.

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Old 02-10-2014, 01:38 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by ret2006 View Post
Here is where I have always installed mine. Driver side rear side of bed. Done the last three trucks this way. Easy to get to.

This where mine is.
Very handy.

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Old 02-10-2014, 02:02 PM   #12
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My last truck was a short bed and I had the plug forward of the wheel wells and liked it there. My current log bed truck has it in the same(ish) spot that RET2006 posted and it's ok, I liked it better in front of the wheel wells because I could reach it without bending under the 5er. But, with the long bed truck I'm not sure how well it would work forward the wheel wells, might start to run out of slack on the cable when turning.
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Old 02-10-2014, 02:16 PM   #13
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I have mine on the drivers side behind the wheel well. Works good, no issues plugging and unplugging. I do that when I am opening or closing the tail gate.
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Old 02-10-2014, 02:18 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rugged Brown View Post
If you have a OEM plug installed on the bumper, why would you want to install another. Seems like a waste of time and money to me, unless of course, you have lots of both. I would think that an inbed connection would be harder to access and connect over a bumper one.
Nothining to do with time or money. Just easier. The last truck I had only used the one location & the cord would rub the paint on the tailgate. Sharp turns would often pull the plug loose.

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Old 02-10-2014, 02:26 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Oaklevel View Post
Nothining to do with time or money. Just easier. The last truck I had only used the one location & the cord would rub the paint on the tailgate. Sharp turns would often pull the plug loose.



I thought the Dodges came with a plastic tailgate protector...

Something like this.

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Old 02-10-2014, 02:46 PM   #16
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It is all about not wanting the cord hanging down and rubbing on the paint of the tailgate.

Call me vain if you like, but it is what it is.

I purchased the wiring kit off of Amazon, it's all plug n play except for drilling a
2 1/8" hole in the sidewall of the bed.
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Old 02-10-2014, 02:51 PM   #17
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Mine is left side, between wheel well and tailgate also. I have to drop the tailgate to access it but then, its down anyway when hooking up or unhitching. I'd rather have it up front tho, between cab and wheel well.
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Old 02-10-2014, 03:41 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockport View Post
Don't like the cord rubbing back and forth over tailgate while turning.
X2
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Old 02-10-2014, 05:08 PM   #19
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I am kind of beginning to lean towards the front of the wheel well. I have to reach in over the bed in this same area to pull the pin and lever to release the hitch and could do both at the same time.
This also leaves me room behind the hitch and tailgate to place some plastic storage boxes of supplies.
As for the cord not being long enough the distance is no greater one direction or the other.
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Old 02-10-2014, 05:28 PM   #20
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Mine is in the left rear stake post. I believe the had to take the tail light out to install it. This is new to me as of last week. My previous truck was in the left rear side.

The dealers truck Ford F350 was set up this way. My hope is it keeps the cord out of the way better.
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Here it is with a 7 to 6 way adapter plugged in.
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Should give better bed access.
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