Trailer light connector plug

[Don B]

On my towing vehicle there is a cap that came with the plug that goes over the inline plug to keep the elements out.

The rest of the plug is some kind of plastic but this cap looks to be rubber only.

Anyway when you pull it off to hook up the trailer lights the cap transfers all this black residue to your fingers.

Has anyone else experienced this ?

I washed the cap off with soapy water but I am sure it will reoxidize in the NC sun.

Is there any protector that would keep the black from transferring to my fingers?

I don't mind getting my hands dirty but this stuff than propogates to all light colored surfaces before I can get it off my hands.

-Don B

[Frank C]

1. Is that cover in the path of diesel exhaust?
2. How close to brake dust residue?

The brake dust is actually the thought that came immediately to mind, but I'd also wonder if it isn't simple road grime?

[kmclemore]

If it's not exhaust or brake dust (see above) then something like Armor-All or similar rubber-protecting product will help prevent surface oxidation of your rubber cover.

[Don B]

It is a gasoline powerd tow vehicle Jeep GC and it is mounted within inches of the receiver.

I think the manufacture got cheap and didn't put any UV blockers in the rubber which is what car tires have. "Skip" correct me if I am wrong.

I will try armor all or the equiv. I thought of spraying it with flexible bumper paint but it seems like overkill.

It is kind of nice having the plug as in the past I always shoved a spare trailer plug in the socket to keep out chemicals. But the rubber plug looks a lot nicer as long as you don't touch it !!

-Don B

[jklightner]

Don;
What year Grand Cherokee? Is it a factory towing set up or after market? My 94 Jeep GC has a 7 pin RV plug with a plastic cover that flips down over the connector. I had to buy a 7 pin round to 4 pin flat adapter piece. I'd try Armor All.

[Don B]

It is a 2000 GC we bought used and yes it had that round plug. I chased all around trying to find an adapter to go to flat pin. I can't remember if I finally found it at Boaters World or Wall Mart.

It is the adapter that has the rubber piece and thanks for the reminder as about 6 months ago I was flipping up the rear seat and of all things the Jeep already had a adapter stowed under the seat !!


Maybe I will just see what that adapter has for a cover or just take the adapter off completely and keep them both stowed under the seat.

I had forgotten that the round connector has a cover and I am sure it does not leech black being a factory connector.

I normally don't use the hitch anyway as our Mac is in a wet slip but I have to use it to relocate our old Sears Jet Wind Sailboat we had stored in a dry slip at Lake Jordan,NC

-Don B

[jklightner]

Don't feel bad, I put my first adapter in a real safe place, so safe I forgot where I put it! So I had to go buy another one, which I keep on a shelf unit strictly for sailing stuff. I also bought some slip on mirror extensions, they sit right next to it. Kind of trying to keep everything in one place.

[Terry Chiccino]

Don B, I think the black substance that is getting all over your hands is carbon black. Carbon black is commonly used as an ultraviolet inhibitor in rubber and asphalt products as the substance is inert. Possibly all the ingredients used in the formulation of the rubber cap were not homogenous during the manufacturing process.

[Don B]

I finally got the small 14 foot sailboat moved that I needed the adapter plug for.

Took two evenings to move it. Two days ago I found both trailer tires flat which is not unusual for a stored trailer and I only had one spare with me and no air pump.

The second day I brought a jack and one tire that I had refilled after removing it the previous evening.

Anyway there must have been over 500 lbs of water in the hull !!! I could not even move the tounge of the boat without a jack.

I think when the Marina moved the boat to another dry slip without telling me. They did not lift up the tounge enough to let the water drain out the rear drain hole.

I am glad I didn't try towing it with all the water in it as it probably would have been too much for the axle.

The worst thing is that it crushed the hull directly above the two front rubber trailer rollers. I never thought a thick fibreglass hull could bend that much with out breaking.

After removing the water it mostly popped back out. It got too dark for me to see if the hull is back to normal or not.

Always something !!!

Glad I got it moved before "Bonney Charlie" arrives !!!

-Don B