Best location for Pig Tail Receptical? - Montana Owners Club

Bluegill · 09-09-2006, 07:55 PM

The last thing I need to do to my TV is get the wiring receptacle mounted in the bed of the tuck for the pig tail.
I'm thinking the best place would be towards the rear of the bed, on the drivers side. Easy to get to with the tailgate down. A guy at work told me he had his mounted in front of the wheel well drivers side. My F350 4x4 is a pretty tall truck and to try and reach over the side of the bed to plug or un-plug the cord seems it could be a little difficult.
Am I thinking logically ?
Where do you guys have yours mounted?

'06 F350 SD King Ranch CC LB 6.0L PSD FX4 4x4
Still shopping for the Monty !

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JH Sechelt · 09-09-2006, 08:17 PM

Hi Blue,

I made a 10' Extension cord for mine. I plug the extension cord in by the rear bumper and bring the female end up under the tail gate to the center of the box by the 5th wheel hitch. I bungie the extension cord to the 5th wheel hitch & plug the cord from the trailer in to it. If I ever forgot to unplug it after unhooking the trailer, it would give you an extra 5 or 6 feet to stop before you rip the cord out of the trailer. My last truck I put a receptacle just in front of the wheel as your friend did. I didn't want to drill a 1 1/4 hole (or what ever size it is) through the inside of my truck box this time.

J&D

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[IMG]John & Dawn

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
2006 2980RL &
2005 F350 Lariet, Crewcab
Shortbox Powerstroke 4X4

Montana Sky · 09-09-2006, 08:32 PM

I had mine plug installed on the drivers side infront of the wheel well. Works great for me.

2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL

H. John Kohl · 09-10-2006, 12:46 AM

Mine is behind the driver side wheel. Since you mentioned the bed being tall I suggest you find a place that is easy to reach, verify there is room and have it installed there. I do have to climb up on the duals to unlatch the fifth wheel catch but I am able to undo the plug by just reaching over the bed or from the rear with the tailgate down.
Good luck and tow safe.
Cheers

John, Master Sergeant USMC/RET 66-86 2651

Kohl's Pictures
03 Ram 3500, 4x4, 6 spd, 3.73, Jacobs exhaust brake, Jordan Controler, Line-X bed liner, Taylor Wing boxes, Xtang Black Max tonneau cover, Kenwood D-700, APRS KO4A-13 Where are the Kohl"s?
02 3295RK Big Sky, dual air, 3.5KW generator, IC 706 Mk II G, Kenwood TMV-7A
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5rvers · 09-10-2006, 02:42 AM

The location of mine is the same as Montana Sky.

Lou, Judie & Gang
USAF Retired
2005 Montana 3400RL
2000 F450 XLT DRW, CC, PSD
Prodigy
20K Reese Hitch w/Bed Saver
ISSPRO Gauges
50 Gal Transfer Flow Tank
Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bags

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Gonfishin · 09-10-2006, 03:14 AM

I had mine installed on the drivers side behind the wheel well. Makes for easy access when lowering or closing the tailgate during the hitching process.
Rick

2005 Montana 3670
2005 Chevy 2500HD D/A
Pullrite SuperGlide
Prodigy/Intella-Stop
Doran Pressure Pro
Ride Rite air bags
In-cab controller

steves · 09-10-2006, 03:28 AM

I just moved mine and put it in the back of the bed on the side wall (driver side - drilled a 2 inch hole) about 1 inch off the floor. There is enough loose wire on the OEM wire to relocate it there. The 4 wire connector will need to have a extension added to make it reach the end of the truck.

Steve & Betty (AKA steves)
2005 3400RL Montana
2006 F350 PSD SRW CC LB 4X4 King Ranch

padredw · 09-10-2006, 03:34 AM

Mine is just as "gonfishing" and I agree with his evaluation of this position. I am now an

expert

on the wiring of the umbilical cord since I pulled mine loose in Amarillo.

David and Shirley -- East Texas
2955 RL Montana
Chevrolet Duramax 2500 Allison Trans
http://www.dwilliamson.com/mont.jpg

Illini Trekker · 09-10-2006, 04:42 AM

I have a GMC but you can do similar with your Ford. Tail gate needs to down to hitch the 5TH wheel so this is very handy!

The air valves are for my air bags.

Shows the routing of air lines and pig tail plug in.

The hunt makes the find that much sweeter!
Dennis and Debbie
05 Montana 2955RL Spruce Decor
2005 GMC 2500HD D/A CC SB Dark Metallic Blue
18k Reese Signature Slide Underbed Mount
Access Lorado Cover
Prodigy
Weston Nerf
Ride-Rite

Broome101 · 09-10-2006, 07:14 AM

Drivers side rear up close to top of of rear bed rail. Mounted in where you can add wood or some type of tie down or standard. The thing on top of bed pops out so you can see what you are doing drilled hole ran the cord down to underneath of bed.
It's out of the way this way and nothing can hit it going in from rear of bed.

Broome101
2005 F350 PSD,SRW,CC,LB, King Ranch, 4x4
2005 3685FL
http://www.picturetrail.com/broome101

Cat320 · 09-10-2006, 08:02 AM

Driver's side aft of the wheel well, far enough back so I can reach it from the side or the back of the truck. Also bought some gasket material and made a piece to fit between the receptacle and the truck bed.

Bert and Betty
Fort Smith, AR
2007 Silverado Classic 3500, DRW, D/A, CC
2007 Montana 3400RL

rickety · 09-10-2006, 08:10 AM

Drivers side in back of wheel about 1/3 up the wall of the bed. Very ahndy, easy to plug and unplug.

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Rick and Phyllis Trent,
2004 Chevrolet 2500HD/Duramax/Allison,exhaust brake.
2004 Monty 3280RL/slide toppers,sleep comfort bed. Full Timers since January 2006!
Gizmo the dog who thinks he's a Great Dane

Bluegill · 09-10-2006, 08:50 AM

ok, Thanks guys.
I see that there is no "Right or Wrong way" to get-r-dun, it seems more like a personel preference almost.
With it located towards the rear of the bed that would almost give you more room for error when un hooking from the 5er.(in case you forget to un-plug)sorta like the extension cord that was made.
Getting it mounted higher would make sense for having more room for firewood etc.

HOWEVER, If I ever plan on getting one of those sexy "V" shaped tool boxes that mount in the back of the bed of the truck by the tail gate I would have to have the receptical moved.
Boy, I can make something so easy , be so hard !

(my dw loves me for that)

Blue

'06 F350 SD King Ranch CC LB 6.0L PSD FX4 4x4
Still shopping for the Monty !

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Jerzy54 · 09-10-2006, 09:46 AM

I didn't want to splice the wiring in my truck and I got an extension cord which I plug in to rear of the truck,
than I ran cable behind left rear light and thru existing hole.( bracket removed) I also made an aluminum mounting plate
for the plug. Works for me and I was afraid about warranty issues after cutting wires.

Jerzy&Tricia05 Montana 3500RL05 Ford F250 Lariat 6.0L PSD SB CC FX4 4X4Reese Signature Series5TH Airborne King Pin

Countryfolks · 09-10-2006, 10:26 AM

Mine is right next to the "bumper" hitch, just under the rear step bumper. It can be used for a cargo trailor or the fiver. easy to get to since it's outside the bed. no problems with cable length. It came with the truck,OEM tow package I guess.

Skip

Skip and Mary
Black '04.5 Dodge 3500, CTD, 2x4, 48RE, LB, DRW, 3.73, LineX, AFE air filter, Donaldson muffler
'05 3500RL, TrailAir Pinbox

SKOOBDO · 09-10-2006, 11:10 AM

drivers side behind the wheel well on the side wall. real handy! no possibility of the cord hanging and dragging on the ground.

2006 Montana 3500RL, MorRyde Suspension, W/D, 2nd A/C, Fantastic Fans, MaxxAir, Fireplace, RotoChocks, Slide Awnings. 2005 Ford F350 Lariat LE, PSD 4x4 Dually, Long Bed, C-Betr Mirrors, Vortex Spray-In Liner, Access Tonneau Cover, Remote Starter/Alarm, LED Running Board Lights

bob n pam · 09-10-2006, 04:53 PM

Ours is located the same as Skip's. It is very handy. We wrap a long piece of velcro around the plug as an extra safety measure.

Bob n Pam
Fulltimers 10.01.99
2001 2955RL
2005 Ford F350 DRW PSD CC 4x4

sreigle · 09-11-2006, 05:42 PM

Mine came with it under the bumper. ON my '99 I moved it into the bed, fenderwell. It was ok there but got my arm wet when connecting in rainy weather. But the cord didn't drag on the tailgate. On the '03 and '05 I just use the one under the bumper and use a ball bungee to keep it from scratching the tailgate. Maybe someday I'll move it inside the bed again.

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Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'07 3400RL
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Bluegill · 09-11-2006, 06:02 PM

Will the pig tail that comes with the trailer be long enough to reach the one under the bumper?
I have that receptacle already, it came with my tow package.
If it will work, for the short distance that I have to pull the trailer home then I wont get the one in the bed installed till i get ready to hit the road. One less expense for now.

James

'06 F350 SD King Ranch CC LB 6.0L PSD FX4 4x4
Still shopping for the Monty !

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MAMalody · 09-11-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by sreigle

Mine came with it under the bumper. ON my '99 I moved it into the bed, fenderwell. It was ok there but got my arm wet when connecting in rainy weather. But the cord didn't drag on the tailgate. On the '03 and '05 I just use the one under the bumper and use a ball bungee to keep it from scratching the tailgate. Maybe someday I'll move it inside the bed again.

I have mine just like yours,however, I run the pigtail between the bottom of the 5er tailgate and the bumpter. It fits and is on the inside of the tailgate and does not scratch it. It also helps prevent any "extra" cord being a dragging hazard.

Mike

F350 7.3L LB SRW
2003 3575RL

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