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07-22-2019, 10:29 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bacliff
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #18551
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Moving power connection from the rear to mid-trailer
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.
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07-22-2019, 10:44 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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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.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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07-22-2019, 12:13 PM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Traverse City
Posts: 149
M.O.C. #15913
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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.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 dually
2014 3725RL
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07-22-2019, 01:10 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,727
M.O.C. #7992
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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.
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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.
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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07-23-2019, 08:50 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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Just a thought, but won't you simply be taking the same amount of wire (weight) and running your new receptacle?
Mark
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“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
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07-23-2019, 09:24 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Traverse City
Posts: 149
M.O.C. #15913
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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.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 dually
2014 3725RL
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07-23-2019, 12:23 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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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.
__________________
Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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07-28-2019, 02:04 PM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bacliff
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #18551
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Not really, Mark A...I'm carrying a 50' extension cord which I want to get rid of.
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07-28-2019, 02:09 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 3,038
M.O.C. #5651
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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.
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Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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07-28-2019, 04:32 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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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.....
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James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
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07-29-2019, 03:02 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,328
M.O.C. #17894
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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.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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08-04-2019, 03:13 PM
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#12
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #22558
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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.
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08-04-2019, 03:38 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Traverse City
Posts: 149
M.O.C. #15913
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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.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 dually
2014 3725RL
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08-04-2019, 04:19 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 787
M.O.C. #18384
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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.
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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.
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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08-04-2019, 04:42 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Traverse City
Posts: 149
M.O.C. #15913
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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.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 dually
2014 3725RL
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08-04-2019, 05:41 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 787
M.O.C. #18384
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Ahh, sounds like you have it covered then. Maybe even overkill
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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08-04-2019, 06:23 PM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Traverse City
Posts: 149
M.O.C. #15913
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I like redundancy and overkill
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 dually
2014 3725RL
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08-04-2019, 08:00 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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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.
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2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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08-06-2019, 10:45 PM
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#19
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Okotoks
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #24621
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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.
__________________
2009 3400RL 650W solar 3000W inverter
2005 F350 CC LB SRW Bulletproofed
Licensed Radio Amateur VE6LK / AI7LK - 73
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08-07-2019, 04:05 PM
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#20
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 68
M.O.C. #10340
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Side Power Connection
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.
__________________
2018 Denali 3500 SRW
2007 3400RL
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