My wife corrected my memory in reference to my "Seen these?" thread from a month ago.  We’ve had two “trailer not connected” warnings in the last year, not year and a half.  Wiggling the connector brought them back both times.  The more I thought about it, the more it annoyed me. This might not bother some people, but I REALLY like my brakes working ALL the time.  I had already replaced the socket once and was getting ready to go back with a new socket/plug wire in the 6 pin style.  I don’t like the 6 pin any better, but I was having no luck with these 7 blade connectors.  They seem to always be loose and dirty. 

Anyhow, I said "Oh why not?"  Now I have the EZ Connector plug system installed on my truck/trailer.  Let me tell you, this is a quality piece of equipment.  Sure it costs more than a traditional plug/socket but I pumped over $100 of diesel into the tank just the other day, so this isn’t a ‘cheap’ hobby to begin with.  Some things are worth the price, this plug is CERTAINLY one of them.  Take a look over on their website for some of the specifics. 

http://www.ezconnector.com/best-trailer-plug.html

The short story; this little fellow is completely waterproof (so dust, dirt and corrosion are not even a consideration), and with the spring loaded brass contacts pressing into the plug while the magnets hold the plug and socket together make it a “self-tightening” situation.  Magnets?  That’s what I thought until I tried to pull them apart, and found it requires a healthy tug.  You can feel the pull from the magnet at least an inch from the socket, from that distance the plug will basically “jump” into the socket on its own.  The instructions weren’t kidding about not getting your fingers in the way.  I really don’t see how this setup could fail.  This is the next best thing to hard wiring the truck and trailer together… that of course, would be a little inconvenient to say the least.

Hmm.  Looks like a decent system.  I like the fact that it has no choice but to be securely connected all the time, unlike the standard 7-pin connectors that might be mostly connected, except for the right turn signal for example.

My main questions/concerns are:  How does somebody else hook up to my trailer?  How do I hook up to somebody else's trailer?  (Two plugs on the pickup as shown on the webpage, I guess.)  How much is it going to cost outfitting both my pickups and 3 trailers?  What do I do when I lose the dummy plug that isn't connected to anything?  How weather-proof is it at -10F?

I sort of like the fact the plug doesnt match anyone elses truck, no body will be asking to borrow it.  I do keep the standard 7 blade cord in the tool box.  My trailer has a junction box with screw terminals.....the cord can be changed over in a few minutes with a screwdriver......shhh, dont tell anybody.  Or for that matter you could just have both cords on the trailer if people are borrowing it that much. 

Yes I still have the OEM 7 blade socket on my truck.  OEM on the receiver, the EZ Connector in the bumper.

Around $400 for two trucks and three trailers.  http://www.lowcosttrailersupplies.com/Merchant3/merchant.mvc?page=LCTS/CTGY/EZ_Connector 

The dummy plug goes in a dummy socket that can be attached to the trailer.  Or in my case, left in the tool box so no one steals it.

Dont know the specs in reference to the -10F, but it certainly would be better than the OEM 7 blade.

I've used the tractor trailer 7 PIN type for several decades with no problems at all. About once a year I add some dielectric grease to the pins. No issues, no replacements needed. The plugs cost $8.

Gard

According to the owners manual an 028 silicone O ring is what the plug uses. Then according to Grainger the temp range is -65F to +450F.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1REF5?cm_mmc=Google%20Base-_-Hardware-_-Supplies-_-1REF5

Speaking of -10F, I sure dont miss the winters of my youth in Nebraska.

I would think to have used any plug configuration for "several decades" without issues, would be considered VERY fortunate.

It is a very interesting plug. They sent me one and I have a Pro Plug I'm going to wire in this month. Then I just have to drive through a river and let my truck turn into a block of ice and grab the camera. Should have an article here on both in December. Now I have to put in a standing order for GM stock at $.60 a share and Ford at $.50 a share. Hyundai Friday put in a offer for part of Chrysler.

 The mainstream press is loading more garbage on the story, they don't understand how important US automakers are. I guess they will get a glimpse when GM is forced to BK. Called truck engineers in Detroit last week to finish up our "light duty truck shootout" article. Some of them had phone extensions disconnected, others were taking the buyout packages offered them last week. It's very sad to see, like watching the news when Army helicopters were evacuating Saigon.

Thank you so much for the write up. You said you have another trailer? If so I will send you a trailer side only unit asap. Let me know.

ALL THE BEST

Michael

I agree about the choppers...I sure hope to heck that stock doesn't get that low. Although gas today was around $1.66 and diesel under $2.75 !!! 

I'd like to punch Mr Romney in the mouth... thank you very much...  Manufacturing is not the same as service industry (airlines).  No jobs, no income taxes, no property taxes, no sales taxes, yada yada yada.  

You don't have to drive through a river do you?  Can't you just wait for a freezing rain? LOL...  I'm interested in some kind of plug that works consistently. I'm getting tired of the run to the back of the trailer, check the lights, wiggle the plug, run to the back of the trailer, check the lights, wiggle the plug...   I'm about to install a dressage arena mirror behind the trailer.

Purchase a small tube of dielectric grease (about $1.00), apply some to the pins of your receiver plug. Insert the male trailer plug several times. The partial contact situation will abate, the force necessary to couple the parts will lesson, and the contacts will not corrode. Reapply the grease about once a year if you use one trailer, more often if you use several different ones.

The tube has enough material to last several years.

Gard

Hey Gabz, long time no hear. I was in Detroit alot this summer. At every Starbach's I went to, I looked around and didn't see you. You can see the article I co-authored in Detroit at http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2008-light-duty-shoot-out.html I'll have it here as soon as I get the raw data stats.

At the NATDA convention, MaxBrake installed their Wireless Trailer Light Tester and it is so cool. I can hookup to any trailer and walk around back with a remote and check all the lights by myself. My plan is to get something done on the new wire plugs next week. You buying Detroit stock, wouldn't think it would be hard to douple up on $1.25 Ford stock.

Come on gard, and I'm not trying to be rude here, but do you really think none of us having problems with our plugs have tried contact grease?  Didnt work for me, and I live in SC.....there was no corrosion to start with.  

Something tells me gabz has enough experience hauling to have already tried contact grease.............

Then the EZ Connector is the plug you want.

My biggest gripe was even after the "wiggling",  the first few bumps running down the road I never knew what lights were actually still working.

I couldn't afford Starbucks any more... switched to local "brewery" stuff...  but I still have some SB stock so thanks for keeping it properly inflated.  Sad state of affairs indeed when coffee barista shop stock is higher value than automotive... sigh... 

You better shoot me an email next time you're in town. I'm still waiting to help test drive that F450 with my itty-bitty 3H Steel GN. 

Dielectric grease eh? I've probably heard of it.. but getting more mature, my mind wanders. 

What I need is a man around the place!! ha ha ha... 

Dielectric grease only attempts to seal the contacts from corrosion.  It will do nothing for loose, worn, already corroded contacts, or a generally poor fitting connector.

The EZ Connector on the other hand, directly addresses all those problems....with much success.

 Using a dielectric grease will prevent loose, worn,  corroded contacts, or a generally poor fitting connector. If it is used when the plugs are still in good shape, it will prevent most of the wear and corrosion from taking place, and ensure the longevity of the equipment..... with much success.

Here's how it works and how it is applied

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W7o-CRRmGo

Gard

Dielectric grease will do little to prevent wear.  It is nonconductive, so the mating surfaces of the contacts must still be in direct contact.  As such they will abrade during the vibration in travel and in the act of un/plugging.

In the example of a loose or poor fitting blade style connector, grease will do nothing.  In theory the folded contact in the plug 'should' be able to keep contact while the plug moves, but in practice this is not always the case. 

The pin style connectors you claim to have had such luck with are the same style I use everyday driving tractor trailers for a living, they are no less problematic in my observations.

Yes, I agree contact grease should be used in the traditional style plugs, but to insist it will work trouble free for everyone is silly.  I understand not everyone will be interested in this new style connector, but those tired of fighting with the traditional style plugs will be glad to have made the switch.  It is a superior system and so it costs more, a classic example of "you get what you pay for".

Obviously the author of this statement didn't read any of my responses, as I have never made this statement or claim. He is also not aware that I have only needed one male plug, for each of my ownership of each truck I've owned. This is also true of the various trailers I own, after they were converted to match my truck's plug.

The best maintenance is preventative maintenance, lubricating and protecting moving parts before they deteriorate. With the usage of this grease, I've enjoyed years of trouble free trailering. It has also been used by many members of our club, to help clean and keep their problematic plugs free of oxidation. These are undisputable facts.

Gard

The adapters for the EZ Connector are out, they're about $30 each.  This will solve the problem of borrowing trailers or getting mine picked up should the truck break down.  Looks like I can take the standard 7 blade socket off the bottom of my bumper now.

http://www.ezconnector.com/converting-to-ez-connector-trailer-plugs.html

I'm not a big fan of adapters.  But these, like the whole system, are a good bit more substantial than your typical parts store adapters.  They have a solid feel, fit snuggly, and have brass contacts.  When I took one apart, I found they even use larger gauge wire than what was in my other adapters.

And yes, I did put dielectric grease on the 7 blade side of both adapters.

OMG,

I have never used any grease on my plugs (7 way RV plug) and still working great! (knock on wood)  I checked mine and it is still nice and clean after 2 years, maybe thanks to covering the trailer end with a zip lock bag when not using it.