Moving power connection from the rear to mid-trailer - Montana Owners Club

jcmiller · 07-22-2019, 10:29 AM

I have been thinking about moving my shore connection from the rear to mid-trailer. A lot of campgrounds have power pedestals in the middle of the site. I carry a 50' extension cord and want to do away with the extra weight. I assume the wiring is above the under belly. The problem is finding an area on the side to support the connection. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

**DQDick** · 07-22-2019, 10:44 AM

It's probably going to depend on your model layout. On ours we mounted a 30amp plugin between the basement door and the door to a small storage compartment under our stairs just above the side marker light there. We use it to power our 3rd AC. Based on that experience my best guess, to do what you want, is to take the power cords from the back of the breaker box and go out in a similar location. Once you get the basement wall off you'll be able to make your decision. The marker light, for us, gave us a point of reference.

rescue7 · 07-22-2019, 12:13 PM

I moved mine to the middle 2 years ago. Much easier hookup, as you say most have side pedestals. I used new wire from new connection to breaker box. Left old line intact and sealed off and taped other end. Had the idea to put a transfer switch in and use the old if I needed to hook to a rear pedestal that was far behind the trailer, but never did and have not needed it.

jimcol · 07-22-2019, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcmiller

I have been thinking about moving my shore connection from the rear to mid-trailer. A lot of campgrounds have power pedestals in the middle of the site. I carry a 50' extension cord and want to do away with the extra weight. I assume the wiring is above the under belly. The problem is finding an area on the side to support the connection. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

As soon as you get it moved to the middle all the campground hook ups will be at the rear.(hypothetically of course) Unless you are just looking for a challenge I would find something else to take off the weight.

MARK A · 07-23-2019, 08:50 AM

Just a thought, but won't you simply be taking the same amount of wire (weight) and running your new receptacle?

Mark

rescue7 · 07-23-2019, 09:24 AM

For me it was more about convenience than weight. I guess I must stay at all the places with the pedestal forward of center and had to get extension out for 3 feet.

BuilderBob · 07-23-2019, 12:23 PM

I'm going to add a plug with a cut switch up front by the basement for when we travel I tend to see some in back end of site and some in the medial or front as we travel I have a extension but if I don't have to use it even better.

jcmiller · 07-28-2019, 02:04 PM

Not really, Mark A...I'm carrying a 50' extension cord which I want to get rid of.

twindman · 07-28-2019, 02:09 PM

My dealer gave me a new cord when the original was messed up. Somehow it is at least 30 ft. long. In 5 years I had to use an extension once (a few weeks ago). I have a short 90 degree adapter for the back connection, so that also adds about 3 feet too.

mtlakejim · 07-28-2019, 04:32 PM

Three related thoughts here:
If your rig is prepped for a generator like ours, you already have a transfer switch and the wiring is most likely already run to the midsection/front of the unit. If your cord is more than half the length of your unit your set, just add a plug coming off where the generator would have tied in to the transfer switch.

If you have the transfer switch or even if you just run the wire to the front of the unit. You might want to think about running a plug to the hitch area in case you ever have a generator in the bed of your truck.

If you have a cord that is longer than your camper then you eliminate all the issues. Granted it won't be light.....

beeje · 07-29-2019, 03:02 PM

The previous owner of our rig installed a built in EMS unit in the basement with a manual transfer switch and another plug in, in the front wall of the camper. The front plug in does not go through the EMS and was intended for a genny hook up. I have used the front one several times when my cord was not long enough to reach the rear plug.

wcockerham · 08-04-2019, 03:13 PM

Funny you bring this up now. I was thinking of doing the same thing last week while hooking up at park in SC. First thought was to mount in on the skirt, but that would support the weight without some sort of back plate. Thinking about in between the two storage compartments on left side. Plenty of support and it really wont take up much space on inside. Based on recent repair on right side, the wires should be easily accessible by taking skirting loose from frame.
Another reason I was thinking about this is, I want to install LED taillights and move license plate to left side.

rescue7 · 08-04-2019, 03:38 PM

I left the old wire in place. Put in new wire and connector. It is shorter since the ac panel in mine is by the door.

Theunz · 08-04-2019, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rescue7

I left the old wire in place. Put in new wire and connector. It is shorter since the ac panel in mine is by the door.

If you don't put in some kind or cut off or transfer switch then the male prongs on your OEM plug will be energized. Very dangerous especially if any young ones around.

rescue7 · 08-04-2019, 04:42 PM

Wires from rear are removed from power panel, cut, taped. Rear receptacle has foam in pins and cap caulked shut, to keep someone from plugging in.

Theunz · 08-04-2019, 05:41 PM

Ahh, sounds like you have it covered then. Maybe even overkill

rescue7 · 08-04-2019, 06:23 PM

I like redundancy and overkill

WeBeFulltime · 08-04-2019, 08:00 PM

Our Montana came from factory with the connection just behind the rear wheel and it is very convenient. There is also a side storage compartment by it and I have a MorRyde cord reel inside.

vincedeon · 08-06-2019, 10:45 PM

jcmiller, I had to find my power cable between the panel and the outlet to interrupt it for an integrated inverter/transfer switch. First I pulled out the circuit panel far enough to see which way the feed-in cable went (down). Then in my basement area directly beneath the circuit breaker panel I pulled off the walls (4 screws easy peasy) and was able to locate it. The line dropped straight off the panel itself. From there it went to the rear of the trailer.

So this is more of a "how do I find the cable" rather than "where will the outlet go" but is part of figuring out the whole problem, and offered in that light.

Nighthawk · 08-07-2019, 04:05 PM

A few times my power cord was too short to connect to the back of the trailer. I installed a 50A plug on the side of my trailer just a bit back of the service center. We have a 2007 3400RL trailer. I installed a small panel box in the basement, cut the 4 heavy wires (one cable) going to the back of the trailer and connected the wires together in the small panel box - 3 grounds together, 3 neutrals together and 3 of one power line together and 3 of the other power line together. It has been so convenient to be able to plug into the side of my trailer. I can also connect to the back of the trailer when needed. True, both receptacles are energized when plugged in and I'm taking chances with a hot open plug, should someone stick their hands in the open hot receptacle.

But the convenience is wonderful.

I've also installed a 120v connector in the service center to connect a home-made-up cord to a regular 120v outlet in my garage to plug the trailer in at home for 120v AC power. It all works very well for me.

The difficult part was connecting 3 #8 wires together in the small panel box I installed in the basement.

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