Bumper vs In-bed 7 Way Connector

**shrode** · 12-21-2016, 05:22 AM

What are everyone's thoughts on the convenience or necessity of an in-bed 7 way connector vs just using the bumper connection?

**LCBoyer** · 12-21-2016, 06:30 AM

I only used the in bed connection once. I forgot to unplug before wife moved truck.

**Glazier** · 12-21-2016, 06:32 AM

In the bed is very easy when you have your tailgate down hooking up, they both work though. I wouldn't want the cord hanging over my tailgate.

**arhayes** · 12-21-2016, 06:42 AM

I have both and use the in-bed for towing our 5ver. I also didn't want the power cable rubbing on the tailgate.

Alan

**oldguy** · 12-21-2016, 06:43 AM

I have an in bed plug and use it all the time. No particular reason other than I like it. Matter of personal preference I guess.

John

**Canyonlight** · 12-21-2016, 06:45 AM

Believe there have been some posts where the fiver cord is not long enough or does not have enough length especially in a tight turn. Also, when hooked up and putting the tailgate down for whatever reason, the cord often times is not long enough to remain hooked to the truck bumper area plug. Easy to unhook first though but don't forget to plug back in.

Dan

**Cate&Rob** · 12-21-2016, 07:15 AM

I only have the bumper connection and have never had a problem connecting this way. The cable drops down from the pin box just ahead of the tailgate and only makes light contact with the plastic trim piece on top of the tailgate. Needing to unplug before opening the tailgate is a good reminder to do this before unhitching

.

Rob

**WhittleBurner** · 12-21-2016, 08:51 AM

In our old Ford we had the plug in the bed, the cord wasn't long enough and on turns out would pull out of the bumper.
Now in the Denali we have had no problems with the bumper plug.

**J&G garage** · 12-21-2016, 09:31 AM

If the in bed plug is installed near the tailgate then the cord is plenty long. Personally I don't like the cord hanging outside the bed.

**D2Reid** · 12-21-2016, 09:39 AM

My old truck had only bumper connection. I had no issues with it. As mentioned above the cord did rub along the top of the tailgate, but there was no wear on the cord and the tailgate had a plastic cover, no wear there either.

My new truck has in bed connection that I use. I have forgot it twice. Two prongs on the connector are broken but it still works fine. One of these warm days I will get around to replacing it. I had a tool box slide into it and knock the plug out, had to stop and reconnect.

I'll bet you are wondering why I still use the bed connection... It's more convenient. Back truck onto hitch, close hitch gate, inspect teeth in hitch to ensure proper closure, connect trailer cord, close tail gate, connect emergency break away cable.

Same routine every time.

Here's a gotcha; When was the last time you tested your emergency break away switch?