How To Plug 1997 Lance Truck Camper Into 7-way Connector On 2016 Ford F-250

Question

Question:

Hi, i have a 1997 Lance truck camper that has a 7 pin connector on it, im trying to connect it to a 2016 ford f250 that has a 7 way blade connector. Will this product work? The connector on the Lance camper looks a little different then this product connector. I have attached a photo of the Lance camper connector. Thanks.

asked by: Nick

0

Expert Reply:

We have run into this quite a few times in the past, and the best option will be replacing the Lance 7-pin connector with a standard 7-way blade connector like the # PK12706. This will give you a standard 7-way connector to plug into the factory 7-way on your 2016 Ford F-250.

There is not a adapter compatible with the connector on your 1997 Lance Camper as they use their own style connector that does not match any standard connectors.

I included a video of the # PK12706 for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C

0

Customer Picture
(click to enlarge)

Scott

6/13/2024

I keep seeing this as the recommended solution but Lance is very clear that their proprietary plug uses 8 gauge conductor for the 12V positive and ground so that in addition to charging the battery you can run the refrigerator off the truck's electrical system while rolling. What's not clear is whether this proposed solution using part # PK12706 is capable of accepting 8 gauge wire from the battery. Can you please clarify?

Reply

Samuel C.

6/14/2024

@Scott This would be rated for 10 gauge. I haven't seen where they run 8 gauge, but the truck does not use 8 gauge (most don't even use 10 gauge) for the 12v power, so if your going to be using that much of a load, you'll be running your own 12v power wire and circuit breaker on the truck.

Reply

Scott

6/14/2024

@SamuelC Lance is pretty clear about this both in literature and videos they've published. They don't make their truckside socket readily available specifically because they want their dealers to install them, and they do in fact run a fused #8 wire from the truck battery to the socket in the bed. So I guess if I use the Hopkins socket and hack off my OEM Lance 6 pin pigtail, that'll get me tail lights but I'm still going to have to run a separate circuit with both male and female hardware if I want to use my camper as designed. I just wish there was an obvious solution that was cleaner but I don't live anywhere near a Lance dealer and wouldn't want to pay them $600 for $100 worth of hardware anyway when it's a job I can do myself. With so many Lance campers on the road and so many of them hitting the secondary market I find it pretty astonishing no third party vendor has produced a better solution for this issue.

Reply

Samuel C.

6/15/2024

@Scott If it were mine, I'd use the 7-way for the light functions, and a 2-way connector # 337TC2012 and # 337TC1012 for your 8-gauge wire to the camper. These are rated for up to 40 amps. You could then run your 8-gauge wire from the connector, to the battery on your truck with a 40 amp circuit breaker # 9510. We don't sell 8-gauge wire but you can pick some up locally.

Reply

Answer 1

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

view full answer...

Answer 2

A junction box/7-way plug kit like Epicord #277-000141 or #HS381-9000 lets you convert the camper to match the 7-way RV blade type connector format. This avoids the extra connection points and potential trouble spots from using separate adapters.…

view full answer...

Answer 3

Normally the pin pulls right out easily. What you can do is try spraying lube like WD40 down into the hitch tube to see if you can get it let go. What could also be happening is that the base is binding up in the hitch tube. It may not be an ideal…

view full answer...

Answer 4

I attached a picture that shows the instructions we have for the Tie Downs part #HSAB that you referenced. We've haven't seen them be an issue on a 2001 Ford F-150, but if you could get me a picture of what your setup looks like I can see if…

view full answer...

Answer 5

If you are just looking for a new converter, the Replacement Converter for Parallax/Magnetek or WFCO RV Power Centers part #PD4635V will be a direct upgrade for the Magnetek Converter Series 6300 Model 6332 that you have now.

view full answer...

Answer 6

Hi Janeene, Since the monitor paired when plugged into an external power source that leads me to believe that maybe the 12v outlet in your F-250 isn't providing a full 12 volts. You can test the outlet to see if that's the case and then start…

view full answer...

Answer 7

The 6-pole sockets that we carry can only handle up to 12 gauge wire so the only way to really swap away from Lance's proprietary connector would be to treat it like a standard camper and switch to a junction box and 7-way connector like parts…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Hi Thomas, Appreciate that info, and we do have the right TorkLift camper tie-downs for your 2023 Ford F-350 with an 8 foot bed and the factory hitch. The correct tie-downs for your truck are the following: - TorkLift Tie Downs - Custom Frame Mount -…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Tom, unfortunately the controller 2020003067 is not going to work in place of the 289252, so It would need to be replaced with the 289252. I have also confirmed this with Lippert to make sure.

view full answer...

Answer 10

There is not a plug and play adapter for your Lance connector that we are aware of. Typically this is installed by the Lance dealer. A junction box/7-way plug kit like #HS381-9000 is an option you have to convert the camper to match the 7-way RV…

view full answer...

Answer 11

Yes, it will work. You'll just need to cut the Lance 6-pin connector out and rewire it into the etrailer Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit w/ Junction Box and RV Style Connector item #e99011. Here are the individual functions of that Lance 6-pin:…

view full answer...

Answer 12

Hey Eric, so we have the Torklift Camper tie downs part #TL87DR that fit your 2024 Ford F-250 long bed with a factory hitch. These attach directly to the truck frame so they provide a really great connection point from the truck to the camper.

view full answer...

How To Plug 1997 Lance Truck Camper Into 7-way Connector On 2016 Ford F-250

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching