By Mike Sokol
Dear Readers,
I saw this trailer plug storage option on another forum last week, and thought it was such a good idea that I found a source for this gadget and I’m posting it here.
Page Contents
The sad life of trailer plugs
Yes, indeed… That 7-way trailer plug connecting your RV to your tow vehicle leads a sad life. It’s nearly always hanging out in the weather, often sitting in the dirt, and rarely maintained with contact cleaner. And yet, when they need to work, they REALLY need to work.
In fact, running a close second to shore power connector questions that are emailed to me are questions about troubleshooting and hooking up 7-way trailer plugs.
What to do, what to do … for trailer plug storage?
I found this cool trailer plug holder that allows you to keep it out of the weather, and off the ground, whenever it’s not connected to your tow vehicle.
These pictures show it mounted on a construction trailer, which gets even more abuse than a typical RV trailer. But the concept is the same. Instead of leaving your 7-way trailer plug hanging out in the elements for much of its life, it can be safely tucked away in its own little house.
In the other forum they asked for a source of this cool gadget, so with a little Google dexterity on the keyboard (and a few lucky guesses), I found the maker of this 7-way plug holder, and where it can be purchased.
Now it can be told…
So here it is: the Cole Hersee 11750 Stor-A-Way Plug Holder. Yes, that’s quite a mouthful. I had to do a little snooping around to even find the manufacturer and model number, but it appears to be well made and easy enough to install with a few self-tapping screws. Just be careful where you drill, and don’t drill into any structural metal (like the trailer hitch itself).
Here’s where you can get it on Amazon (yes, there’s no picture of it on the Amazon site, but I’m sure that’s exactly what this is). They’re also available at auto parts stores, such as O’Reilly Auto Parts. Just Google “Cole Hersee 11750 Stor-A-Way Plug Holder” for locations.
More maintenance information later…
Next time I’ll cover contact cleaner and silicone spray and how to properly maintain your RV’s electrical connectors. Don’t wait until it breaks – maintain it so it doesn’t break in the first place. As Mario and Luigi (from the Mario Brothers game) would say… “Take care of your tools, and they’ll take care of you.”
In the meantime, let’s play safe out there….
Mike Sokol is an electrical and professional sound expert with 50+ years in the industry. His excellent book RV Electrical Safety is available at Amazon.com. For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here.
For information on how to support RVelectricity and No~Shock~Zone articles, seminars and videos, please click the I Like Mike Campaign.
##RVT993
Here is a very cheap and easy method to cap the plug. Most trucks with reciever hitches come with a logoed insert made of rubber. Using this insert, put the trailer end of the connection into the rubber insert, now the plug is protected. A stainless hook attached to the trailer to hold the coiled cord.
I like the Husky Towing 81497, attaches easily to the electric jack pole on my travel trailer.
As I said in the other comment section, if you just mount another female plug unit on the trailer, you can then use an electrical cord with two male ends. No more crud in the connector and you take it off and put it IN the unit when not using it. It also does not hang down in the way. Been using these for years since I saw a “doubles” plug on a semi. You can actually buy the cord from a truck supplier.
One thing you have to keep up with is on the female connector. The gap between each contact tends to get spread further apart as you plug and unplug it. You have to make sure those little contacts stay bent close together but not touching or a too wide of a gap will cause you to lose your trailer lights, brake lights, or brakes.
Ok Mike. I first saw these plug protectors 10 years ago on a new trailer that was delivered to my shop. Nice concept except 1) it broke off of the mount when one of my crew went to remove it in sub zero temperature. To be honest I’ve seldom experienced many plug issues from unprotected storage of plugs in over 60 years of dealing with trailers and as a RVer, forester and landscape contractor I’ve dealt with dozens and dozens of trailers. The biggest issues with connectivity have been from corrosion entering from the cord and not from corroded pins or blades. When there was corrosion there plugging and unplugging several times usually solved the problem.
I use this product
https://connecttoprotect.ca/
I have one from Amazon that straps onto the jack tube. Been using it a couple years and it works fine.
I tuck my cord up under the propane tank cover. Keeps it dry and out of the elements. When we are ready to hookup and leave home or a site, we check the function of all the lights. Forces me to remember to connect the cord and when retrieving the cord from under the propane cover, reminds me to turn off the propane tanks.
👍. Been tucking under tank cover for years.
Same here. Been doing that forever the contacts on my plug have never even been wet.
I tried the blue-cap frequently advertised in RVTravel and it was worse than useless. It didn’t fit very well–hard to get on and off. It collected (probably wicked) and then trapped moisture.
Does this one prevent moisture from getting in and have a way for moisture to get out?
I now stuff my plug under the cover for the power tongue-jack.
Not sure, so I’m ordering one to find out.
For my 5ver I got a tight rubber cap with a retainer that keeps it on the cord when not in use. Very simple and cheap from Amazon. Then I stuff the covered plug and most of the cord up inside of the hitch box while we are parked. Very well protected.
What about the other end of the cord that plugs into the car?
it gets the same mistreatment. Any solution?
This is for the end of the RV signal cord that plugs into the tow vehicle. Unless I’m missing something, I don’t know of any RVs that have a removable 7-pin connector and cord.
I’ve seen those on some equipment trailers. The idea is to reduce theft on unsecured job sites.