Trailer Plugs - Round versus Flat

Yep, I did the same on my caravan. 7 Pin Round and Anderson Plug,

Larger contacts transfer more current better. However an even heavier cable for Fridge and batteries is advisable Something like 6 B & S via Andseron plugs

My camper had large 7 pin round and an anderson but my car came wired to 7 pin flat and anderson. The converters (I had 3 ultimately) caused me so much grief I changed my car fitting to the 7 pin round and no more grief. In the end converters are just another place for a fault or loose earth. On corrugations they shake loose sometimes too. Simpler the better for mine.
I am going thru the same process i.e. changing my soft floor for a hybrid. Interested in the choice you have made.
Ken

Yep ....
Count me in on the 7 pin large round, for all the reasons stated above.

In my case I had multiple trailers, boats etc all with 7 pin round so it was easy to stay that way. Also agree on the robustness, albeit I see many 7 pin plugs mounted so low on 4WD's that could easily be damaged.

Crikey Phil,

By the time you get that lot all plugged in and ready to head off, it'd be time for morning smoko break!!! hahaha

Cheers,

Roachie

Haha yes exactly the way I feel about it too - lots of gadgets but they are all boring!

Yes for me it had to be 12 pin flat, with a 50 amp minimum Anderson to the tug batteries through 6b&s cable. 30amp breakers at the tug battery.

Current drop and poor earths if you use the tug body etc. can be an issue.

Works for me, but we all have our preferences.

12 flat seems to be the new 'standard' in plugs. All our new utes and trailers go that way. I don't see any reason to change and then use adapters.

At least with a 12pin flat socket you can plug a 7pin flat plug into it.
And the extra 5 pins are upsized to 35A so you can slip in a decent 8B&S cables (pair up the pos if you like) and you'll be adding an extra earth.

G'day, just trying to clear up in my mind the following statement, "Not used a brake controller before so it will be an interesting learning curve." all Kimberley Kampers have brakes that need a brake controller to work and you have had one for the past 11 years, just doesn't make sense to me................
Cheers, John

Brake controllers are only if you have electric brakes. Many KK's have hydraulic discs, so no controller needed.

Hewy, I thought they all KK came with electric brakes, either disc or mechanical.......... Cheers, John

Hi John. Is that why the Kimberley is hard to stop.

Just kidding. Ours is 11 years old and has hydraulic discs operated manually via an over-ride cylinder. Electric wasn't an option back then. Can get either electric or over-ride on the new Kimberley

Bought ours in 2011 and had a choice of over ride or electric. Nowdays I think most people opt for electric.

The AOR Quantum is indeed a nice unit. We have ordered a Lifestyle Reconn after 5 bloody years of relentless searching. Reckon I could have moved to the Quantum with the money I have spent on caravan and camping shows. Think we'll be happy though (at least I will). Might go up a spec next time. Enjoy your new rig.
Ken

Spraying "All of the internal connections with varnish" would certainly stop any corrosion. Wouldn't do much for electrical connectivity either.

Malcolm

Once all the screws are tight the varnish will have no effect on electrical connectivity. The ADF ( RAAF in my case used a similar product on aircraft wiring to stop moisture problems on connections)

Cheers

Apologies, missed the fact that you have already assembled the connector before drowning it.

Thanks Sigmund. I know all about Anderson plugs rattling loose. Destroyed many before I fitted the hinged cover maybe 4 years back. Used to carry 10 or so Anderson plugs as spares to replace the damaged ones until I discovered the hinged covers. They work well and have not had any problems since installed.

Goodo.

Many folk aren't aware of the problem and it happens commonly on rough roads.

One plug cost me $30 at Yulara!

Noggins, I have the McHitch towing unit. Far superior imho than the 50mm ball.

'
And a steal @ $200.

Now that's what you call a plug. Probably could do away with the Treg coupling as well and just use the plug for towing. Thanks Julio but I think I will stick with my standard 7 pin round. Can't see my mate putting one on the trailer I borrow from him either.

'
I am not so sure that the "EZ Connector" is as good as it sounds.

The plug contacts engage by direct 'butt-connecting', i.e. simply face-to-face with no wiping action.
If there should be any significant debris (dust or sand) adhering to a contact face then there may be no electrical contact made. In industry, plug connections are arranged to have a 'wiping' action which dislodges surface debris. Heavy duty contactors (big relays or motor starters) are arranged so that their contacts incorporate some wiping action as they close. EZ's criticism of standard plugs with wiping contacts "abrading" or "arcing" does not stand up to industry experience.

The EZ website makes much of "Lab test results" (whose lab?) but quote only "Salt water spray","Submersion" and "Mechanical shock" with no reference to dirt, dust or sand....... the stuff that Australia is made of. They display a video of an EZ plug being cycled in-and-out of connection under electrical load but in a very clean environment. It proves nothing.
They make much of the feature that the magnetically retained plug will disengage should the vehicles move apart with the plug engaged. A good feature so long as they will remain engaged on our severe tracks!

The most odd feature offered is a range of adaptors to allow EZ to be used with existing standard connectors, which seems to rather nullify the benefits that they extol.

Hi Allan

I am running an EZ Connector (as standard equipment) on my camper trailer.

So far I have had no issues with the connector not connecting properly, working loose or collecting excess dirt. Infact, I was so impressed with it I did not have a conventional one fitted to the new bumper when I replaced it. I am also replacing all the fittings on my trailers to match. In the interim, I am using an adapter to bridge the gap.

I have given it a fairly good run as we went around Australia with, like I have already said, no issues. This included muddy water, sand and high iron content sands (this is the only time I had to wipe it clean before inserting it into the socket). We also did a fair few kilometres on some severely corrugated roads including a trip to the Cape, Odnadatta Track, Gunbarrel Highway.

I have just licensed a new boat trailer fitted with an EZ Connector and the vehicle inspecton agent (a local trailer maker) was quite impressed with it. He liked the simplicity of how it joined together and separated (magnet) rather than having to wriggle them apart as usual. But, he was sceptical about its ability to maintain contact on rough roads until he tried to pull the plug off the draw bar to fit into the socket, the magnet is pretty strong.

So long as you remember to put the plug into the little holder, insert the plug into the socket to keep the dirt off when not in use and put some white grease on the two "O-rings" I don't think there would be any issues.

Cheers

Anthony

That's good Anthony and I'm pleased your happy with it.

I have no issue with the design whilst they remain connected but as you say "I had to wipe it clean before inserting it into the socket" and "So long as you remember....etc".

Regular pinned connectors can be reliable too if cared for in the same way.

Good morning, wonder how the EZ Plug would go in the Pilbara, oops dropped it, now can't get all the iron ore sand off the plug's magnet................................. Just a thought.