Wiring from a 5th wheel to trailer
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Wiring from a 5th wheel to trailer
I'm wanting to pull a 6x10 utility trailer behind my 5th wheel & I was wondering how I should go about wiring up for the lights on the second(utility) trailer. Do I connect all the way from the truck & plug into the 4 way plug( I don't think the truck would light the 2nd trailer since I'll have the 5th wheel plugged into the 7 way already) or do I come somewhere off of the 5th wheel tail lights? Will I need a heavier duty flasher or something else to make this work? Thanks!
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I fabbed a wire harness along the frame of my 5er from the truck to the rear hitch. I used heavy gauge wire to compensate for the length. Most camper wires are bare minimum and won't carry the load of extra lights.
#3
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I have a 8x12 that I haul behind my 5ver. My 5ver came prewired from the factory with a 4 way flat at the rear of it. Is the underbelly sealed? Can you remove any of the underbelly liner to get to the tail light wiring? Your truck should be able to handle it with no problems as long as you don't have a ton of extra lights on your utility trailer. I changed all the lights on my utility to led lighting, no problems at all, I haul 2 bikes on it.
Tim
Tim
#6
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I am not sure of the actual legal length for a non commercial set up. I did ask a friend of mine that is on the state police truck enforcment div. He stated to me that because it is a "camper" and comes from the factory with the hitch set up that you can haul up to the factory recomended weight rating. He also stated that the laws around campers are so grey that even if I were to get stopped that there was no law to write against, with the exception of the actual hook-up, (safety chains wiring,etc).
My 5ver is 35'8" overall by itself, then 12' for the utility trailer. I haul it all over New england and New York state, I have not had a single problem yet.
Tim
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Check this for size limits, not sure if it covers all of your questions.
http://www.wecamp2.com/size.html
http://www.wecamp2.com/size.html
#10
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I tow my 18' jetboat behind my 28' 5th wheel. Since my camper is a four season and the belly is covered, I've done a temporary connection by tapping into the rear lights on the camper and running the wires on the outside of the camper down to the rear bumper.
It ain't pretty, but it works fine until I can do it right.
As far as the law goes, Missouri law restricts you to 65' bumper to bumper. I'm right there, depending on the tape measure.
It ain't pretty, but it works fine until I can do it right.
As far as the law goes, Missouri law restricts you to 65' bumper to bumper. I'm right there, depending on the tape measure.
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I tapped into my 5ver junction box located at the front of the king pin and ran a 4-wire along the left side of the frame to the bumper of my 5ver. I pull a 10ft ATV trailer and haven't had any problems.
#13
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DOT max. length is 65'. However double bottom (two trailers) are often restricted to four lane or Interstate highways and allow for only a few miles off them on a 2 lane road for delivery purposes. Depending on what you're hauling in the second trailer, you may want to look at one equipped with electric brakes. Remember, you'll have your truck weight, 1st trailer weight and the 2nd trailer weight to stop.
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DOT max. length is 65'. However double bottom (two trailers) are often restricted to four lane or Interstate highways and allow for only a few miles off them on a 2 lane road for delivery purposes. Depending on what you're hauling in the second trailer, you may want to look at one equipped with electric brakes. Remember, you'll have your truck weight, 1st trailer weight and the 2nd trailer weight to stop.
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