7 Way Connector Housing broken

bspiglejr

We tow our T@B Outback with our 2001 Toyota 4Runner.  We often go on some relatively rough roads after parking the tab.  Twice this year we have dragged a bit on the back bumper and broken the housing on the 7 Way Connector.  The connection still worked but it was kind of flopping around and probably would cause problems eventually.  Anybody know of any tricks for protecting the 7 way connector housing when off-roading without the trailer?  Is there some sort of heavy duty housing that is available?

Cbusguy

Is there anything from changing where you have it mounted????  I have mounted one connector inside the rear hatch of a tow vehicle and then drop out the hatch when I need to use it.

or mount it above the bumper instead of below it.

just a thought

bspiglejr

Thanks for the quick response!  I certainly don't have any problem with changing it.  The RV shop we took it to didn't give us those options.  How does the one inside the hatch work?  How do you get the cord through the door when it is closed?  I can shop around and see about mounting it above the bumper.  I'd have to see if there's some way to do that and still get the back door open...  We aren't at all mechanical so we don't do this stuff ourselves.  Would there be somewhere better to take it than an RV service shop?

Luckyj

Perso, ai do not have a Suby, but a Nissan X-Trail (not an X-Terra) and I found out I had the room tho drill through the plastic bumper.  I am not someone who change vehicule often, so to me, it was a no brainer.  And just in case you did not know, you can replace just the plastic housing w/o having to change the complete harness.

bspiglejr

Thanks Luckyj.  That may very well be the best solution.  We certainly keep our cars a long time (bought the 2001 4runner in 2002).  I'll call around and see if there's somebody that will do that type of job.

Cbusguy

It was on a Ford explorer with our previous pop up.  Just shut the door on it.....it had enough of a gap that it wasn't an issue

GatorEgg

I have installed the 7way in my bumper in past vehicles.  Just take it to a local auto shop and have them cut a hole in the bumper and fit it in.