My new 03 Dodge has the trailer wiring receptacle integrated
into the bumper.

Question: For you guys that have 5th wheels,,,is it best
to have the RV Dealer relocate this receptacle into the
bed?...Add a 2nd receptacle in the bed (not bothering
the original bumper location)?...or do most people use
their bumper location for plugging in there 5ther wiring.

Our truck goes in next Tuesday for the hitch/wiring
installation.

Thanks in advance

 

Have them add a new one into your bed and leave the orgional in place. I did this myself and works great.

 

SRIGS is right, leave the original one alone and add a new one in the bed, usually in the drivers side wheel well. This way you are set if you ever have to tow a tag trailer. good luck

 

I added another one in the rear drivers side of the bed. That way I can still pull flatbed or tag TT.

 

I've had both with my current setup in the bed behind the wheel house. Both setups have their advantages. I use an Adbrook tonneau cover which has the opening for the kingpin so I have to slide the wires in with the pin cover. It does keep everything out of sight though. I made a pair of jumpers to reach the rear bumper for either my boat trailer or another 7 pin for travel trailers ( I move one for a friend).
I did find that using the factory mounted location, the cord would rub on the tailgate.
To do it again, I think I would leave the factory wires and add a second in front of the wheel house, drivers side.

Bill

 

I agree with the above and would encourage in front of the wheelhouse. When its directly over the wheelhouse, it can be a real pain in the neck trying to plug in under the front of the fifth. Not much clearence dontchano.

 

man....me personaly would leave well enough alone on th wiring...I just run mine under the frame of the upper part the fifth wheel and suspend it with springs and plug it in at the rear bumper...doesent get caught no rubbin and no wiring issues once joe knucklehead at the rv place spilces and dices your harnass!...besides no holes in my bed!
my two cents
Cameron

 

As other have said, add another plug, mine is in on the driver side rear built into the side of the truck just infront of the tailgate. Looks nice.

KC

 

I would like to add a plug in the bed on my '03 also, but I am wondering if there is anyone out there that has a harness to plug in-line without splicing factory wiring to accomplish this.
I hate to cut into factory wiring.

RM

 

I noticed yours is a shortbed.
On my very first 5th wheel set up I had a extended pin on my trailer and a shortbed truck. The person who installed my plug in the bed put it in front of the wheel well.
I found out later that everytime I made a sharp right hand turn the plug got pulled out. The first thing they said when I complained about it was, "well how sharp are you turning"? ???
Just something to keep in mind for plug placement if you use an extended pin or sliding hitch. They wound up making me an extension cord for my plug.

 

Hey 03CTD30 have them add a second in the drivers side rear of the wheel well in the bed. That's the best place and all they have to do is splice into the existing wiring underneath near the bumper. If they do it correctly it will look like it came from the factory that way, plus with your SuperGlide hitch it will ensure that cable has plenty of slck and stays out of the way when it slides and turns. I hav the same setup and it works just marvalous ;D

 

[quote author=Rocketman link=board=11;threadid=19915;start=0#msg201628 date=1067188437]
I would like to add a plug in the bed on my '03 also, but I am wondering if there is anyone out there that has a harness to plug in-line without splicing factory wiring to accomplish this.
I hate to cut into factory wiring.

RM
[/quote]

Don't cut the factory wiring. You can buy a plug with wiring tail all ready on it. Remove about 1/2" of insulation from each of the factory wires about a foot from the factory plug. Wrap the bare end of the pigtail around the factory wire and solder it. Then, tape it and put it in a sleeve up to the new plug in the bed.
One trick I have learned the hard way - - I use a small bungee chord around my plug cap and the plug to make sure the plug does not work its way loose. It holds the cap down firm on the plug which keeps it locked in place. Not fun stopping on a hill with no trailer brakes.

 

I find that if you have a louvered 5th wheel tailgate with the V notch you really dont need a second plug. I just run my pigtail plug through the bottom louver and plug into the stock plug. I made a simple strain relief device and connect it to the tailgate to keep the cable from falling out of the bed. Have plenty of cable for tight turns.

I'm with FiverBob, dont splice into the wiring harness if you really dont need to.