Newbie questions. A bunch

[KevinfromWA]

2008 1/2 ton dodge 5.7 hemi MDS
2015 coachmen clipper 17bh 2900 lbs dry.
Anderson weight distribution hitch with "integrated sway control"

So, my wife and I just drove this trailer home yesterday from Portland. Driving home (about 2.5 hours) the trailer pulled great and I got about 12 miles a gallon. My question is about the tow/haul mode. Should this be on the whole time? I also have an overdrive off button. Do you all drive with the overdrive off? My owners manual says only put the tow/haul mode when the truck is searching for a gear.

And about storing the trailer. Can it be plugged in and not level? I have
Read the fridges don't work very well when they aren't level. I was just going to keep it plugged in to keep the battery charged. Or should I just have a battery disconnect installed?

Any help on this would be appreciated!

[lynnmor]

Originally Posted by KevinfromWA

My question is about the tow/haul mode. Should this be on the whole time? I also have an overdrive off button. Do you all drive with the overdrive off? My owners manual says only put the tow/haul mode when the truck is searching for a gear.

And about storing the trailer. Can it be plugged in and not level? I have
Read the fridges don't work very well when they aren't level. I was just going to keep it plugged in to keep the battery charged. Or should I just have a battery disconnect installed?

If you don't understand what gear is needed at any particular time, turn on the tow/haul.
Don't operate the fridge unless it is reasonably level.
A quality battery tender may be better than the installed unit. Some cheap RV converters tend to overcharge the battery.
Yes, install a disconnect switch and turn off the battery as soon as it is parked. Don't use one of those cheap switches that looks like a red key.

[rbleau6885]

I wouldn't touch the tow haul 2900 pounds plus your gear is a walk in the park for that truck. If you leave the rv plugged in and fig running I would have rv level especially if u have the slide out have the stabilizers down. for storing in winter months I'd level rv side to side the jack the front up a little to run the water off. I cover mine in the winter with an rv cover keeps it dry and snow off


Rich,24
2014 wildwood 27rlss
2005 Chevy 2500HD crew cab
2005 GMC 3500 singlecab dump Livin the dream one day at a time

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by rbleau6885

I wouldn't touch the tow haul 2900 pounds plus your gear is a walk in the park for that truck.

Tow haul just holds the gear longer to use revs and make less heat in the tranny. Depending on where you are towing (mountains?) It may be a good idea to keep it on. Especially if the 1500 has no tranny cooler.
Also, the hardest part of towing is the wind drag at highway speed. Weight has little to do with it in flat conditions and the frontal area of a 2900lbs trailer may still be 8' x 10', so lots of drag.
Either way, I would leave the O/D off.

On the battery question, I think it depends on how much you use it. If every few weeks, no point in leaving it plugged in or keeping the fridge on.
If it's going to sit a month, just disconnect the battery.

Make sure you leave the fridge open to dry, so as to avoid mold.

[chaps2018]

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Tow haul just holds the gear longer to use revs and make less heat in the tranny. Depending on where you are towing (mountains?) It may be a good idea to keep it on. Especially if the 1500 has no tranny cooler.
Also, the hardest part of towing is the wind drag at highway speed. Weight has little to do with it in flat conditions and the frontal area of a 2900lbs trailer may still be 8' x 10', so lots of drag.
Either way, I would leave the O/D off.

On the battery question, I think it depends on how much you use it. If every few weeks, no point in leaving it plugged in or keeping the fridge on.
If it's going to sit a month, just disconnect the battery.

Make sure you leave the fridge open to dry, so as to avoid mold.

In addition to the above notes about transmission control, per the manual on my ram, the tow haul mode also manages the transmission for braking as well. I would suggest turning it on when towing.