In Bed 5th Wheel Wiring

[Firewall]

What is your feeling about an in bed vs. rear connection for the trailer wiring?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007M5QH4Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Seems easy enough to install, I would assume easy to use but is there any real advantage over using the rear connection on the truck?

[chuckster57]

We do it almost every time we install a hitch. Saturday I delivered a Grand Designs Solitude 375RES to a couple with a 2017 F450. No plug in bed, as they turned the umbilical cord nearly ripped out as the plug was under the bumper. They chose not to add an in bed plug at that time.

My truck has the plug above the bumper so I don’t have any issues, but I have considered it. Easy peasy on the new trucks, mine is a ‘94 so I don’t think it has that plug in harness.

[bobbecky]

I had the receptacle installed when I had the hitch rails installed. I would not do this any other way. Too much of a chance to damage the trailer cord with it hanging outside the bed. The newer trucks have the bumper receptacle connected with a plug and socket in front of the bumper and the add on receptacle just connects between the factory plug and socket.

[rhagfo]

I had the receptacle installed when I had the hitch rails installed. I would not do this any other way. Too much of a chance to damage the trailer cord with it hanging outside the bed. The newer trucks have the bumper receptacle connected with a plug and socket in front of the bumper and the add on receptacle just connects between the factory plug and socket.

Well with the 2001 Ram, over the bumper into the receiver socket, no issues with cord.
The new to us 2016 Ram with 5th wheel prep, has the in bed connector. :cool:

[travelin texans]

In the bed!!!!

[MattHelm21]

In the bed is best and our F450 has it but our last truck did not. I used the plug under the bumper for 12 years without a problem but here was my trick. I kept a load bar in front of the tailgate about 6 or 8 inches above the bed floor and snaked the umbilical from the pin, down under the load bar, back up over the top of the tailgate and down to the plug under the bumper.

This left enough slack for turns but prevented that same slack from slipping out over the tailgate.

[kksfish]

My Ram has both factory installed and I use the in bed exclusively! Only issue is I have to connect with the tailgate down and reach in while standing between tailgate and fiver definitely can’t reach after closing the tailgate!

[goducks]

I towed for 5 season with a bumper plug and my 5th wheel. New truck has the 5th prep kit with in bed plug. I wouldn't say it's easier. But it's nice to have the cord in the bed rather than hanging off the back of the truck.
I usually tie a loop in the cord to keep it up higher when the plug was at the bumper. One time I had a car pull up next to me and point to the rear of the truck. Once I pulled over and looked, I found the loop came undone and the cord was lightly dragging on the road.
In bed just makes more sense.

[JRTJH]

With our 2010 F150 I started with the "over the tailgate" umbilical. After about 5 or 6 trips I noticed some wear on the tailgate paint where the umbilical was rubbing as we towed. I bought the CURT adapter wiring kit and installed an "in bed connector". No more issues with the umbilical rubbing the tailgate paint.

[fritschw]

I have installed the above mentioned Amazon cable and adapter. It took about an hour. My only complaint is I feel the male plug fits in the female receiver rather loosely. The receiver does have a large tab on the lid to keep the plug from falling out though. The whole thing works great.

[JRTJH]

A suggestion, regardless of which brand cable accessory is used, APPLY DI-ELECTRIC GREASE TO ALL ELECTRICAL CONTACTS/CONNECTIONS !!!!!!!

[Fishsizzle]

My truck didn’t have factory 5th wheel prep. I bought the kit and had a local shop install it as I didn’t have a lift to take bed up.

It came with the plug for in bed. They didn’t know what to do, so I took a hole saw, cut the hole ran the plug through. Ford has it set up to just unplug the taillight harness I believe, was super simple. And yes, plenty of grease went in.

Not sure how other manufacturers are, but Ford has it dialed for the plug even if you don’t get the under bed pucks

[Wing-in-it]

In the bed....

[5J's]

In the bed, no question. Two recommendations, either put it near the tailgate so that it's easy to plug or unplug as you're hitching or put it forward the fender well so you don't have to lean between the trailer and bed rail to plug in.

[Theoldroaddog]

My 2005 GMC 3500 dually did not have a in bed plug. I had one installed as it made life easier when connecting a 5th wheel trailer. My new Ram 3500 has both. I have seen others who have broken the plug under the bumper and rip the cable out of the trailer. I would put a plug in the bed.

[Terry W.]

We have a Ford Super Duty and only had under bumper. Well all was good for a while, then I forgot to take ball hitch for blue tank out and after I got finished rewiring everything I added one to the bed. So now I have both

[Brentw]

With our 2010 F150 I started with the "over the tailgate" umbilical. After about 5 or 6 trips I noticed some wear on the tailgate paint where the umbilical was rubbing as we towed. I bought the CURT adapter wiring kit and installed an "in bed connector". No more issues with the umbilical rubbing the tailgate paint.

Had the same issue, so installed an in bed plug ( easy peasy plug and play, no wire cutting), install a fifth wheel tailgate, so now use bumper plug. It's easier to get to. I have a spring from the cord to a corner tie down to keep the slack in the truck box.

[Terry W.]

I pull campers and boat for a couple dealership, so when it RV show time I just take tailgate off. It makes it a lot easier and faster.

[hornet28]

In the bed near the front then unlike in the bumper or below there's no chance of it snagging and ripping loose

[Firewall]

Thanks all, ordered it today!

[Phil Saran]

When I purchased my truck this past May it had the B&W goose neck hitch
in the bed but no in-bed plug.

I bought a B&W slider hitch for it and when they installed it they also installed
a in bed plug.

Like others I have to drop the tailgate to plug in the cord, but I also have to carry
a 3 step latter for reaching the levers for hooking up the 5th wheel trailer.

[MrEnto]

Make sure the rear of the plug has enough clearance to the inside of the fender skin. I tried to keep the plug high in the bed and came dangerously close to not having enough clearance at the back of the plug. You should be able to see from below the truck up under there.

[mahdi]

In bed is easier and safer. I use a two step ladder to connect the levers and the power cord. It is over the wheel base.

[mikz86ta]

Our 2011 Sierra DRW we bought had been previously equipped for 5er towing with the hitch. But no in-bed plug.
I used the bumper factory plug and was not comfortable with it like thT.
Found out the HD Sierra was pre-wired with wires loomed in an extension on the drivers frame rail. The wires were capped and taped up.
I just bought a covered do-it yourself plug receptacle and installed it in the bed side behind the drivers tail lamp area. eTrailer has a couple real nice videos on this. Hole saw, and some basic hand tools. The wire harness had a wire code label on it but you can also search online.
In-bed plug is way safer

[Peacemkr53]

Agreed. In bed is the safest for the 5er. Bumper receptacle is for TT. Or my toy hauler (Wells 16')

[Local150]

I use the over the tail gate and near the bumper, I think I would rather have it in the bed but then again,, have never had a problem so have never changed it

[SR71 Jet Mech]

I installed one in my bed as soon as we bought the 5er. Bought it at etrailer, it plugs right in line with the factory bumper outlet. Other than a hole saw it’s super easy. Didn’t like the cord hanging over the tailgate.

Just my $.02

[jimborokz]

Last two trucks had the bumper plug and one time I didn't have it latched correctly and the plug came out on route and dragged on the road and wore the plug right out. New truck with 5th wheel prep has it in the bed and it's so nice to have everything in that bed, plus if it should come unplugged I get a dash warning telling me trailer is disconnected.

[Jmill8]

Assume you are towing 5er, I have always and will always use in bed connection. To many opportunities for damage using bumper connection.What is your feeling about an in bed vs. rear connection for the trailer wiring?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007M5QH4Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Seems easy enough to install, I would assume easy to use but is there any real advantage over using the rear connection on the truck?