"I Been There" Department
Has the Fickle Finger of Fate ever forced you to Cold Camp when expecting Cozy Camp? Planned or not, a night without RV electrical hookup can turn into a mini-disaster! Older tow vehicles are more likely to have this vulnerability, but many new ones do too.
Any vehicle plugged into a trailer unites the two into a single electrical system. On the road, your truck alternator keeps both batteries fully charged. Hooked to utility power, the trailer's convertor (AC to DC charger) does the same.
But parked with no hookup, interior lights, water pump, TV, etc. discharge both batteries equally. This creates two problems. Truck batteries are not designed for deep discharge, so life expectancy suffers. And if you use too much juice, your truck battery will get to low to start your truck!
There are 3 solutions:
1. Best. Mimic utility power with a portable generator. This has the added benefit of removing usage limits. For instance, A/C uses more power than batteries deliver, but can be essential. Ever summer camp in Texas?
2. Better. Install an electrical Isolator. This allows your truck to charge the trailer battery, but prevents the trailer from discharging the truck battery. An Isolator can be added to any vehicle, but unless you're quite technical, seek professional help. Most trailer vendors carry them, many install.
The following website presents an extensive description of the problem, suggests solutions, and we would give it serious consideration. But this is not an ad or recommendation. We receive no benefit from sales. https://www.hellroaring.com/rv.php
3. Good. Less convenient but just as effective as #2, and it's Free! When parking overnight with no utilities, manually unplug the trailer connection. Your juice use is still limited by trailer battery capacity, but your truck will always start in the morning, no small thing!
When leaving, start your truck first and then reconnect your trailer, so low trailer batteries can't impact starting. If you forget to reconnect, your brake and taillights won't work and your trailer batteries won't recharge on the road.
Many newer trucks have a built-in Isolator. I was assured by my dealer that my one-ton dually had one, but experience proved otherwise. Luckily, I was in a campground, had Jumper Cables (Really good idea!) so just begged a jump. Ignore dealer assurances and get your connection tested. Or search for the industry-standard wiring schematic and confirm your charging wire is dead when your truck is off.
Understanding and precautions can keep your hood closed, and help you have a trouble-free trailer trip!
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