Trailer 7-way plug vs what's on my Dodge Ram 1500

I have a '17 Ram 1500 with factory tow package.  I think I see what you are talking about.

I just measured my travel trailer's plug, and it is 2" from the face to the latching side of latching lug (like you said).  However, on the truck side, the socket measures a little less than 1-7/8" from the surface of the conductor pins to the latching lug latch.  In other words, when the plug is latched in the socket there is at least 1/8' of contact 'intercourse'.  After coast to coast and border to border trailer towing, this seems to be adequate.

As far as which plug wire goes where; the spring loaded socket cover on the truck has a legend embossed on it that denotes what pin goes to which light.

And, my truck also has a socket for 4-pin flat connector.  Unless your trailer has electric brakes, you would probably be more content using a 4-pin mating connector on your trailer (rather than the round 7-pin).

On the 7-pin; as far as "wiggle, push, twist", there isn't a lot of 'feel' when plugging the connectors together.  For example, it doesn't 'feel' like plugging your electric drill into the wall socket, or plugging two 4-pin trailer light connectors together.  More so, it 'feels' like the plug will just fall out of the socket because it is not firmly 'intercoursed'.  Well, when it is latched in place, it doesn't fall out.  (But if it is not latched in place it will.  Some experienced RVers wrap a strip of velcro around the plug and spring loaded socket cover to provide extra latching security.  The concern here is not so much about losing lights as it is about losing brakes.)

Thanks for that, Mark. Something still tells me there's something wrong with the fit on the trailer's female side connector. We had a travel trailer before and you could feel somewhat of a descent joint when plugging the connectors together. In this case I think we're just going face to face if you will and when latched and not even getting that 1/8" or so you describe. The joint is not even level or parallel to each other when latched. I can push real hard on the trailer's plug and then when latched it pulls things askew for lack of a better term. 

I do have electric brakes and yes, that is more of a concern. I do see the legend embossed on the truck's socket cover and will go by that . Tomorrow I'll slide over to a supplier and check the fit of a new trailer plug and go from there. 

I’m not sure if you checked but did you confirm that both male and female connections are of the same type? There are blade connectors/receivers and there are pin connectors/receivers. It seems the trailer and automotive industries aren’t always in synch with each other. I know my suggestion may seem quite basic but you have to start somewhere. 

Robert M posted:

I’m not sure if you checked but did you confirm that both male and female connections are of the same type? There are blade connectors/receivers and there are pin connectors/receivers. It seems the trailer and automotive industries aren’t always in synch with each other. I know my suggestion may seem quite basic but you have to start somewhere. 

Blade and expandable slot type. 

I have seen the male / female plugs  when acquired from two different sources you can have fit issues.

Exactly what we had here, Alan. Just to finish off my end of the thread, I found a solution today but not without going through some hoops. I removed my trailer end connector with 6' wire bundle and junction box and took it to the trailer place today to have a brake controller installed in my truck. I showed the tech there my fitment problem while he was verifying all was working well with my truck side connector.

He said he'd seen many like that and that's the best you'll get on a Dodge. Unconvinced, I headed straight to the marina and tried the 7-way connector to my boats trailer and it fit like a glove. Tried two more trailers and all gave a perfect fit. Off to Canadian Tire I went and bought a Reese 7-way blade trailer connector and it also gave a perfectly smooth and solid engagement so I'll swap them out tonight. 

Pic below shows the Reese replacement part on the left and the part to get chopped off and replaced on the right. The circle diameter on the bad part is 1/16" larger than the Reese and the latching lug on the bad part is 2" long as Mark described above but the Reese part is 2 1/8" long enabling a better engagement. Amazon, eh ? 

Good news David. I have a 2018 Ram 2500 and my trailer plug fits like a glove. Ram makes a great product.

Mo trailers, mo problems. Glad all is happy now.