Community Forums

scottandanna · 06-09-2016, 06:51 PM

I usually try to unplug the jeep (tow vehicle) from the trailer's wiring harness before I hook the trailer up to shore power. But now that we are camping every day, I see people hooking up to shore power and leaving their tow vehicle hooked up.

Is there any right or wrong way?

Skip426 · 06-09-2016, 09:25 PM

Do you have a battery charge line between the coach and toad ?

That is the only possible system that "might" require that you disconnect.
But with coming off the road all the batteries should be fully charged and any converter/charger system in the coach should sense the fully charged condition, and revert to a float charge,and that wouldn't overcharge the battery in the jeep.

I've never had an issue leaving the toad wiring hooked up.

vsheetz · 06-09-2016, 11:49 PM

I've never disconnected mine other than to disconnect to use it.

YosemiteBobR · 06-10-2016, 12:00 AM

You good to leave it. But if you want to see what's up, when plugged into shore power, but a meter on the Jeep battery to see how much if any it is charging.

Skip426 · 06-10-2016, 12:01 AM

I'm sorry for miss-understanding your question .
Your Jeep is the tow vehicle not the toad .

But in my years of towing 5ers , 4 of them , if just in a park for the night and not having to unhook to level , I wouldn't disconnect the wiring. I'd be too likely to forget to hook it up in the morning.

Same reason I gave for my coach and toad set up , even if the charge circuit from the Jeep to the trailer is live , the converter shouldn't overcharge the Jeep battery. All other circuits between the two are shut down.

scottandanna · 06-10-2016, 05:32 AM

Yes, the jeep is towing, not being towed.

Thanks for the quick feedback. No more worries

JoeSR · 06-10-2016, 08:30 AM

Scott,

Some vehicles have a relay in the 12V circuit to disconnect power to the RV plug when the engine is not running.

Check yours with a voltmeter.

Dutch Star Don · 06-10-2016, 07:16 PM

Okay....I think you could have an issue. Typically, tow vehicles run a charge line to the trailer to charge the batteries when driving. When you stop and connect to shore power, you're now charging the trailer batteries (usually two 6 volts) with the trailer charger. Most trailer charges don't have a sophisticated 3 stage charger. Consequently, your charger sees that your two trailer batteries are fully charged, but their is still a battery that may need some charging (Jeep's battery). The trailer charger keeps charging and boils the Jeep battery. It wouldn't if their is a relay in place on the Jeep as "JoeSR" suggests.

I would check it with a meter as suggested.

MtnTrek · 06-10-2016, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeSR

Scott,

Some vehicles have a relay in the 12V circuit to disconnect power to the RV plug when the engine is not running.

Check yours with a voltmeter.

Diagram attached: refer to the 7 pin blade if applicable, Aux/red to Gnd/Wht . With igni/acc. on and or off for your 12v. and possible relay.

Tip: wipe clean & spritz those sockets with a light silicone spray to keep them working smoothly and free from corrosion.

We've never unplugged from the TV when staying hitched overnight.
Although the vehicles batteries should be fully charged after driving, and the converter/inverter are multi-stage the small gauge wire and distance of the aux power circuit shouldn't cause an issues in that period of time.

Happy Trails.