Truck to trailer cord

[be18driver]

On a recent trip to Florida I had a senior moment, and that's all I am going to say about it, and it required a replacement of the umbilical cord between the Tow Vehicle & the Montana. I never liked the factory setup so when I ran across this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1FC3WG...roduct_details I was hooked. The cord is well made with appropriate gauge wire but what I was really pleased with was the included junction box. The only 2 changes that I made was I attached the trailer wires to the studs first with nuts and then attached the umbilical cord wires on top with a internal star lockwasher and another nut. I figured it would make it easier if I needed to replace the cord at a later date. I also added a second ground that is connected to the mounting bolt that holds the junction box to the inside of the pin box.

[BB_TX]

That really makes for a clean installation. I also had to replace mine for reasons I will not disclose but wire nutted it like the old one. That terminal block looks a lot more secure.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by be18driver

On a recent trip to Florida I had a senior moment, and that's all I am going to say about it, and it required a replacement of the umbilical cord between the Tow Vehicle & the Montana. I never liked the factory setup so when I ran across this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1FC3WG...roduct_details I was hooked. The cord is well made with appropriate gauge wire but what I was really pleased with was the included junction box. The only 2 changes that I made was I attached the trailer wires to the studs first with nuts and then attached the umbilical cord wires on top with a internal star lockwasher and another nut. I figured it would make it easier if I needed to replace the cord at a later date. I also added a second ground that is connected to the mounting bolt that holds the junction box to the inside of the pin box.

That is a slick setup for when I have a senior moment. I haven't had any senior moments yet,

[Hornet28]

They are also a great replacement box if your trailer has a cheap house type junction box

[mlh]

I had to replace mine several years ago. You would be surprised at what they look like after being drug down a grave road for 5 miles. I hope I never do that again but I wouldn’t bet on it. Oh well.
Lynwood

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Hornet28

They are also a great replacement box if your trailer has a cheap house type junction box

Is there any manufacturer that doesn't use the cheap old metal junction box?

Our 2020 3741FK has a metal box. That was actually kind of nice because I was able to extend that box to add the circuitry for making all of our clearance lights come on at night...

[432bartman]

That looks very tidy and for $38.00 bucks is hard to beat. Did you install the box where the factory one was?

[jwengermt]

Wish i would have known about this box before i replaced my pin box. Mine was a residential junction box and it had obviously had some issues in the past and somebody did a poor job of fixing it. I did replace the old box with a new water proof box that i mounted in the new pin box and i used water proof connectors. Works great but i like this set up better.

[MGVenne]

CADman…how difficult was it to wire your clearance lights to come on??? Details, please.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by MGVenne

CADman…how difficult was it to wire your clearance lights to come on??? Details, please.

LOL...

Here's a link that explains how to do it the easy way.

Running Lights Hack

What I did, though, was I installed another 7 way recepticle in the bottom of my box with an extension. Then I put a fuse between the two pins in the link, but to make it even more useful, I have a switch in there too, so that I can turn them on and off without unplugging.

As a recovering engineer, you over think everything!!

I'll get some pics...

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by CADman_KS

...

I'll get some pics...

This first pic is of the extension ring that I put on the original box. That ring allowed me to have the space for the new receptacle, fuse, and switch. I didn't take it apart, but I did have to shorten the receptacle end to make sure that it still fit in there.



Here is a schematic of what it looks like. The wires that are crossed out are not used for anything, and they have nothing hooked up to them in the female part of the plug (on the trailer)



This pic is with the pigtail plugged in, pretty self explanatory, but I wanted to show this, because this is important because our plug never gets any moisture in it, because it's always plugged in here. Gives it a good place to go.



And, finally, the obligatory photo with the lights on. Sorry, it's not outside, but she's all buttoned up for the winter...

[be18driver]

This 1st picture is from the back of the pin box looking forward.




The 2nd picture is again from the back of the pin box looking forward but from above looking down.




Ken

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by CADman_KS

LOL...

................

As a recovering engineer, you over think everything!!

..............

Come on! A real engineer would have put a trim pot in the circuit to adjust the intensity to suit the mood of the night.


Rule #1, an engineer never recovers.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Come on! A real engineer would have put a trim pot in the circuit to adjust the intensity to suit the mood of the night.


...

That isn't funny. I ACTUALLY DID CONSIDER PUTTING A POT IN THERE TO TONE THEM DOWN!! LOL...

Originally Posted by BB_TX

...


Rule #1, an engineer never recovers.

I recently got a 3D printer. I have yet to figure out why ever print that I make on the thing takes 40 hours. I add all the necessary gusseting, and filleting, and smoothing, and tapering, and...., and...., and...

I just don't get it. I think that there may actually be something wrong with the printer. I'll take it apart one of these to see if I can speed it up.