Running lights cord.

[jwo9958]

My new Overlander 1972 is missing the cord to plug in the running lights to the trailer hitch in truck. Where can I get one and what is it called. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving !

[overlander63]

It's called an umbilical cord. You can either make one yourself, or some Airstream dealers with an online presence offer them for sale.

[jwo9958]

Do you know if they all have the same 7 pin socket on the trailer. Is this a standard? Thanks.

[HowieE]

Any RV shop will have it.

[terryV]

I think they all have a 7 pin connector, but back in the good old days, the pins were round, and now they are flat.

Get the one that works with your TV, which should be flat, unless you have an antique TV, also.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by jwo9958

My new Overlander 1972 is missing the cord to plug in the running lights to the trailer hitch in truck. Where can I get one and what is it called. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving !

That cable is called an "umbilical cable".

The original had 7 round pins on each end which were the plugs.

The sockets are on the trailer and the tow vehicle.

The round pinds are far superior to the flat blades, since they are "self cleaning" when you insert them.

Andy

[J. Morgan]

Round pin connectors are still used on commercial trucks to this day, in my opinion they are as a rule superior to the RV style connector ends. (Yea, they are different from the old stock Airstream plugs)

I changed the socket in the trailer to the truck style socket, but til this day I have been too lazy to convert the plug on my TV.

Someday maybe..


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

[Belegedhel]

Get hold of the wiring diagram for your trailer's lights. My '73 was wired in a way that is not consistent with today's standard--had I bought an umbilical off the shelf, it would not have worked. I ended up reconfiguring the wiring on the plug on my trailer, replacing the plug with one that was more robust, and building my own umbilical (also called a "whip"), so that I could have round plug connections on the trailer end, and flat on the Tow vehicle end.

good luck!

[Blakekm6pht]

I am in the same situation but I have the original umbilical, I might have to cut the end off that goes to my tow vehicle and connect a modern 7 blade because I cannot find an adapter anywhere. Keep us posted on your end result!

[TheGreatleys]

Originally Posted by Blakekm6pht

I am in the same situation but I have the original umbilical, I might have to cut the end off that goes to my tow vehicle and connect a modern 7 blade because I cannot find an adapter anywhere. Keep us posted on your end result!

Vintage trailer supply has all the parts of an umbilical if you need to replace something. Not clear on what your issue is exactly, but they sell both standard umbilical cables (also available at any RV suppy) and the end that connects to the 70s Airstream.