User Tag List

Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1
    Fireside Member Rvlife's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Posts
    92
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Pigtail Solitude 310

    Snagged the pigtail in the tailgate today. Sparks flew and smoke billowed. Had to disconnect the battery to cut the power. (The battery kill switch didn’t cut the power.).

    What’s the worst case scenario? Should we expect damage to the electrical system or blown fuses? We’re hoping to simply replace the pigtail.

    Fortunately we were parked at storage.
    2019 F350 DRW, Crew Cab, Long bed,
    B&W Companion Hitch w/puck system
    2020 Solitude 310-GK

  2. #2
    Site Team traveldawg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Florida Space Coast
    Posts
    3,853
    Blog Entries
    1
    Mentioned
    94 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Ouch! That happened to me once. Luckily no harm done.

    Where was the smoke and sparks? If the end of the pigtail maybe just replace it; if in the box inside the hitch maybe inspect closely to see what other damage was done. If it is in the rig then a more extensive investigation is in order for wiring damage.
    Larry KE4DMG
    2022 F-350 KRU SRW LB - Airlift 5000+, ForScan, 37 RDS Aux Tank,
    2019 310GK-R - Sailuns; MorRyde IS; Disc Brakes; 20K Reese Goosebox
    Search kalakamods for my mods


  3. #3
    Fireside Member Rvlife's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Posts
    92
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Sparks and smoke were coming from the pin box. The black wire and perhaps the grounding wire were the only ones that detached. The black was touching the metal and we think (hope) that was causing the sparks and smoke.

    Interestingly, the exterior lights of the camper came on. Didn’t turn off til we disconnected the battery.

  4. #4
    Site Team traveldawg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Florida Space Coast
    Posts
    3,853
    Blog Entries
    1
    Mentioned
    94 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Black is battery power (from your RV's battery); white is ground. So, yeah, short that black to ground and with no fuse in the circuit you'd get a lot of sparks and smoke until the battery went dead or something else finally burnt the wire out.

    As for the outside lights coming on until you disconnected the battery: the brown wire probably got shorted to the black wire as that would light up the trailer's running lights. Some people short pins 4 and three (black and brown) to keep their rig's running lights on in the evening .

    You probably ought to disconnect the pigtail at the junction box in the inbox and then run some tests on the wiring going to the battery before reconnecting that battery to be sure the interior wiring from the pinbox to the battery (and other connections) isn't still shorted.
    Larry KE4DMG
    2022 F-350 KRU SRW LB - Airlift 5000+, ForScan, 37 RDS Aux Tank,
    2019 310GK-R - Sailuns; MorRyde IS; Disc Brakes; 20K Reese Goosebox
    Search kalakamods for my mods


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

DISCLAIMER:This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grand Design RV, LLC or any of its affiliates. This is an independent site.