Trailer to 5th Wheel - Montana Owners Club

GreG L. · 07-22-2018, 02:34 PM

We are going to make the move from a 31ft trailer to a 3731 or a 3791, kind of a toss up right now.
A question I have is that the 3731 has the AC connector on the back and the sewer dump towards the back where the 3791 has them closer to the the middle.

I am looking for thoughts related to campgrounds and dump/AC placement, we haven't done very much with the one we have and plan on going almost full time with the new one.

BB_TX · 07-22-2018, 02:45 PM

Our electric is on the back. And sewer in front of the wheels. Every park we have ever stayed at had all hookups near the center of the pad. Only once have we ever needed an extension cord to reach power as it was near the front of pad. Had to borrow one from a park employee and bought one as soon as we returned home. Have heard of some parks with sewer at the back of pad and needing a sewer hose extension.

We also carry plenty of water hose, just in case.

jcurtis934 · 07-22-2018, 03:05 PM

Have ran into services all over the sites, so have needed extra sewer hoses. First time I ran into electric near front of site, I didn't have an extension and had to drive 100 Mikes each way to go buy one before I could hook up. It is rare that I need the power cord extension, but it still comes out once in a while. You could always have the 3731 modified to have another power inlet on the side of the trailer if that floor plan is your choice.

**DQDick** · 07-22-2018, 03:42 PM

Connections are usually on the side of the rig, but anything is possible. The National Rally in Goshen and the Puma Co fairgrounds in Tucson both have all utilities in the rear so extra water and sewer is necessary, but the electric sits in a pile it's length unneeded.

Baldicon · 07-23-2018, 07:57 PM

Ok, I'll ask the question. Our new 3121 has the power connection on the back of the trailer. Why isn't it somewhere around the convenience center? They have to run a longer interior cable to get to the distribution box.

Texan · 07-23-2018, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baldicon

Ok, I'll ask the question. Our new 3121 has the power connection on the back of the trailer. Why isn't it somewhere around the convenience center? They have to run a longer interior cable to get to the distribution box.

I believe the answer is there is no answer. Most of the service poles at campgrounds are close to the middle of the rv like your sewer and water. You would think the manufacture's would install your electrical connection close to the convenience center like everything else. I wouldn't be buying an electrical extension cord if the power was more centrally located. Sometimes there just isn't any rhyme or reason.

Baldicon · 07-24-2018, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texan

I believe the answer is there is no answer. Most of the service poles at campgrounds are close to the middle of the rv like your sewer and water. You would think the manufacture's would install your electrical connection close to the convenience center like everything else. I wouldn't be buying an electrical extension cord if the power was more centrally located. Sometimes there just isn't any rhyme or reason.

Pretty much my conclusion too. You would expect the designer would locate all external connections in the same area. That's the way the TT we had before was built. Oh well........

mhs4771 · 07-24-2018, 07:21 AM

Just remember the folks that design these things never use them.

richfaa · 07-24-2018, 11:48 AM

In our travels over the country since 2006 we have found sewer, water, power hookups all over the place in RV parks not to mention the many fairgrounds where we attended RV rallies.We carry extra everything. If there was a standard it would have to apply to the RV parks.

Montana Man · 07-24-2018, 01:39 PM

Nothing is standard. Have extensions for water, power, sewer, tv. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

phillyg · 07-30-2018, 10:05 AM

The fact that ours has the electrical at the rear has required using an extension cord occasionally. I agree it should be somewhere mid-unit. Our sewer is right behind the wheels, which works very well. Putting it at the rear would not be good.

Jimmer · 07-30-2018, 01:31 PM

My hook up is in the rear. 1st thing I do when lining up my trailer is make sure I adjust the trailer to make sure the electric cord will fit into the electrical box and the back of my trailer. One time I forgot, had the trailer leveled and hoses all hooked up and my electrical cord was 1 inch from being able to plug in.

**AZ Traveler** · 07-30-2018, 01:40 PM

Greb,

Buy the layout that fits you best and don't worry about the hookups. You can always do extensions to make the hookups work.

MHC305RL · 07-31-2018, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montana Man

Nothing is standard. Have extensions for water, power, sewer, tv. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

This sums up my thoughts perfectly. I paid less than $100 for my 50amp extension cord on amazon. I have needed it more than once.

MidMOTraveler · 07-31-2018, 02:29 PM

We have the 3731 ( love it) we just started long time and NEVER owned a camper. We are now in our 4th Park in 4 weeks.
Park #1 needed 20’ of sewer hose electric 5’ would work and 10’ water
Park#2 1 section of sewer hose 10’ electric 25’ 30amp and water
Park #3 3’ sewer would have been plenty 25’ electric and again 10’ water
Park #4 here now no sewer 50’ water & my Progressive EMS saved the day I needed the extra 6” it hangs down out of the pedestal
Haven’t used my extension yet or my extra 20’ of sewer hose
Oh and I have a 75’ water hose that I need when we are home based.
Sorry so long winded just learning all this new stuff, lots a fun!

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