Community Forums

jshelley · 02-11-2012, 10:58 AM

has anyone installed a switch (toggle?), for towing ? need to eliminate battery drainage for long tows...thks...jim

bucks2 · 02-11-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jshelley

has anyone installed a switch (toggle?), for towing ? need to eliminate battery drainage for long tows...thks...jim

Sure, my 04 Malibu needed 3 fuses pulled each time we went to tow. While the fuse box is handy right at the end of the dash, grabbing hold of those little fuses and pulling them out each time wasn't fun. And, one fuse was a different rating than the other two so they had to be put back in the right place.

I used spade terminals of the right width (there are wide and narrow) to fit the fuse box where the fuse originally plugged in and ran wires thru inline fuse holders to a single switch which has the positive (+) side of the circuit fed to it. I made a bracket to hold the switch and a nameplate with tow and drive labels on it.

Now it's a simple matter to open the fuse cover, flip the switch and go from tow to drive or back. The switch could have been mounted elsewhere, but I like keeping it hidden from view, and as an added anti theft device if needed.

Ken

Hipshot · 02-11-2012, 02:15 PM

I have a rocker switch installed in my 2011 HHR in place of fuse #8? I think.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-11-2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hipshot

I have a rocker switch installed in my 2011 HHR in place of fuse #8? I think.

Me too. # 8 Is correct.

bldr11 · 02-11-2012, 04:29 PM

I installed a toad charger so the toad battery will charge off the mh

Acropilot · 02-11-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bldr11

I installed a toad charger so the toad battery will charge off the mh

I would like to do that also, did you use the 12v from the plug and regulate it somehow or is there a product available to install.

Acropilot · 02-11-2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acropilot

I would like to do that also, did you use the 12v from the plug and regulate it somehow or is there a product available to install.

I'm referring to charging the toad battery

Bug512 · 02-12-2012, 05:42 AM

How about this? Link here to TOAD-CHARGE

Gary RVRoamer · 02-12-2012, 06:59 AM

Many of us have installed switches in lieu of pulling the specified fuses for towing. What kind of toad do you have? Do the towing instructions specify that a fuse be removed? If not, you probably need an alternate solution, either a battery disconnect switch or something like the Toad Charge mentioned previously here.

If your toad brake requires 12v power, you may need to make other arrangements to provide it with power if the toads own 12v is switched off.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-12-2012, 07:33 AM

Here's where I bought mine. http://www.rv-partsplus.com/home/accessories/

jshelley · 02-12-2012, 08:06 PM

thks everyone, we have a saturn, & the book tells us to remove (1) fuse #8, we would like to run a toggle switch from fuse to the glove box...Jim

Acropilot · 02-13-2012, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bug512

How about this? Link here to TOAD-CHARGE

The toad-charge looks perfect. Could not find it on my own.

Thanks

BpK9Miami · 02-13-2012, 06:15 AM

I've had a battery isolation switch (simple on/off flip switch) installed in every TOAD I've had. Never had a dead battery and the lights work through the wire connection to the rig. I can't imagine doing without the switch anymore than I could do without a tow system. But, that's JMHO.

DHart · 02-14-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BpK9Miami

I've had a battery isolation switch (simple on/off flip switch) installed in every TOAD I've had. Never had a dead battery and the lights work through the wire connection to the rig. I can't imagine doing without the switch anymore than I could do without a tow system. But, that's JMHO.

Would such a switch be needed for a vehicle that doesn't specify needing to isolate the battery or pull a fuse?

We will be towing a 2012 Chevy 1500 Avalanche 4WD. The owners manual simply states to put the transfer case in neutral before towing and turn the ignition switch to off and remove the key. No mention of battery disconnect or fuses. So, I'm wondering what would happen if I don't disconnect the battery?