Toad light problems and battery

[Luckiest Dre]

Yesterday prior to leaving home I checked all lights and with the coach lights on. My toad had tail lights, brake and turn lights and 4 way flashers, just what I expected. Down the highway a bit later and running in a heavy rain I stopped and made my walk around. There was no taillights but the rest were OK. By the time I stopped for the evening the Toads battery was totally dead. I still had turn and brake lights. I assume they work from the coach. I expected the tail lights would as well. I also have a solar trickle charger plugged in the cigarette lighter. That has always kept the toad battery charged. (no sun out in all the rain)
I am towing a 2004 Ford Explorer. The taillights have a diode between them and the Ford. My questions are: Will I do damage to the Fords Tranny if I continue with no battery (it has the neutral tow kit and it was properly set before leaving? With the rain I had on all of the coaches systems, Wipers, lights, heaters, Jake Brake, etc. Is this why the battery is toast? It is almost new! The coach has a 7 pin connector that has a smaller adapter to the toad. I believe it is reduced to 6 pins.

[Wanabee FTer]

The tail lights not working during your second inspection is the clue. Is there a blown tail light fuse in the toad? If so I would suspect the add on wiring or diodes shorted out the fuse and is causing a draw on the toads electrical system.

[a k]

Check and make sure your 7prong to 6 prong cable didn't come apart inside the plugs. My connections weren't screwed down tight from the factory and it shorted mine out. Also you can run a hot wire from the center plug on your toad adapter to the +side of the toad battery and run a ground wire from the plug to the toad chassis and your coach will keep the toad battery charged up.

[Luckiest Dre]

Finally made it to Florida. Stopped at an Interstate Battery Dist. They checked the 4 month old Battery and it was toast. Replaced it at no charge and all is good. I suspect that there is more to the problem and expect to run the suggested hot wire and ground soon. To bad all the other things that cropped up during this trip couldn't be answered so easily!
My converter is not working, so the furnaces would only work for a short time before the house batteries were drained. That is no fun when the temp is below freezing! The water heater would not heat water, Good thing it is expected to be above 70 deg. tomorrow as I have a ton to do!
Motor Homes sure give a guy something to do in retirement!