7-way Cord Extension for Hensley Hitch

[wlanford]

I have just purchased a Hensley hitch and will be installing it on our new 30' Classic when it arrives in August. Terry from Hensley said I might need to extend the trailer's 7-way cord to allow for the extra space between the tow vehicle and trailer. For those of you with Hensley hitches, is this true, and if so, did you just add a 7-way extension cord? I found a 4 ft. extension that I could use, but I don't particularly like that idea and wondered if there are better ways to handle this issue. If that is the best fix, how did you position the female end of the 7-way extension to not hang in mid-air? I worry that the extra connection could cause problems (easily come loose, etc.) Any suggestions?

[SteveSueMac]

I use an extension with my ProPride. I'll try to show a pic of this soon but I've got a Velcro cord wrap attached to the female end of the extension so when I connect the trailer to it, I can wrap the Velcro strip around the entire assembly and it's rock solid. 3rd season with this and no problems. Good luck!

[ghaynes755]

ProPride extension. Works fine.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I did not need an extension with our 25' Classic. I just loosened the clamps that secure it to the frame, pulled about 6" thru and had plenty of slack......

This is how I route it...


Long before getting the Hensley, on the way home from picking-up the Classic as a matter of fact, the 7-way came loose and ground itself flat.....hence the zip-tie you see securing it now. Not Hensley related.

Bob

[kry226]

Not needed for my ProPride/30 Classic. But that extension has come in handy a couple of other times.

[crispyboy]

I did the same as Robert Cross - there was plenty of slack available.

When I repainted around the tongue and front frame I decided to add a 7 way junction box next to the spare tire. This is just in case the cord accidentally gets destroyed going down the road I can replace the cord in just a few minutes with common hand tools and a pocket knife. Adding the junction box gave me even more cord slack to work with.

[slowmover]

I bought an extension kit from Pro Pride for my Hensley when I bought an adjustable stinger. This will do until I have a new one made up and installed.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

I use an extension with my ProPride. I'll try to show a pic of this soon but I've got a Velcro cord wrap attached to the female end of the extension so when I connect the trailer to it, I can wrap the Velcro strip around the entire assembly and it's rock solid. 3rd season with this and no problems. Good luck!

Here's a pic of the unconnected extension and then the connected extension.

[dkottum]

No extension needed with ours, plenty of slack.

[philipsinewe]

Very unlikely you will need one. Keep in mind the trailer is the farthest away from the tow vehicle when it is straight, the trailer moves toward the TV in turns, so you need VERY little if any slack.

[EarlM]

I am pulling my 2015 30 ft classic with a gmc denali 3500 and a Hensley and not 7 way extension is required

thanks
earl

[Jack46]

I do not need the extension with our Hensley and 30' FC. My Silverado 2500 HD is new (to us) so I when I first hooked it up I did a full left and full right turn in the parking lot and all seemed fine in terms of cord length.

[Kilroy]

I purchased my extension from Hensley when I purchased the hitch. It's two feet long and I need it.

[Steve340]

I made a hard right turn in mine last weekend and ripped the outside jacket from the moulded plug end and lost my brake lights/turn signals and parking lights. The brakes still worked though (thicker wire). I now am replacing the entire cable with one that is a foot longer.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Steve340

I made a hard right turn in mine last weekend and ripped the outside jacket from the moulded plug end and lost my brake lights/turn signals and parking lights. The brakes still worked though (thicker wire). I now am replacing the entire cable with one that is a foot longer.

The umbilical cord is supposed to be 7 feet long.

If shorter than that, you can replace the 7 way cable in about 20 minutes.

Andy

[philipsinewe]

Originally Posted by Steve340

I made a hard right turn in mine last weekend and ripped the outside jacket from the moulded plug end and lost my brake lights/turn signals and parking lights. The brakes still worked though (thicker wire). I now am replacing the entire cable with one that is a foot longer.

You ripped the cable out on a turn with a Hensley???

[Steve340]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The umbilical cord is supposed to be 7 feet long.

If shorter than that, you can replace the 7 way cable in about 20 minutes.

Andy

I have a 2010 airstream 25FB. Is the end of the cord terminated under the front bed? It looks like it goes into the floor of the trailer on the right side.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Steve340

I have a 2010 airstream 25FB. Is the end of the cord terminated under the front bed? It looks like it goes into the floor of the trailer on the right side.

The wires in the front should terminate within the underbelly, just behind the A-frame.

Look for a square plate that's about 8" x 8" or so. Remove it and you should see the wires as they are connected to those within the trailer.

Andy