Forum Discussion

Rich_Mar's avatar
Rich_Mar
Explorer
Sep 05, 2020

do you really need a battery?

If you only camp in full hookup sites, why do you need a house battery? If the power goes out in the park, we have battery powered lanterns. The only reason I can think of, is to run the frig and maybe the furnace, but the power usually isn't out long enough to affect the frig and we do no cold weather camping. Your tow vehicle provides the power while towing for the running lights. A couple of things that might pop up would be if you needed to roll in the awing or slide. Anything else? What am I not thinking about?
  • RobWNY's avatar
    RobWNY
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2020
    Your lights and slide outs are run on 12V power, so is your propane detector and some other things. A good way to test whether you need one or not is to unhook your battery the next time you're at a full hook up park and see what stops working. Then decide if you want to eliminate the battery. My guess is you'll want a battery.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Sep 05, 2020
    I'm not getting the reluctance to have a battery.
    Having shore power, doesn't mean you don't need a battery, you still need 12v to run the fridge.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2020
    So you're going down the highway and your hitch fails and your 5th wheel detaches from your truck. The breakaway switch tries to engage the trailer's brakes but you took out the battery. Now what?
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Sep 05, 2020
    You absolutely need a battery! For both the trailer brakes and smoke detectors for starters. Plus the long wire run from the alternator to the house w/o a battery may cause unacceptabe voltage variations etc.

    Why would you not have one?
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2020
    Your converter will run all the 12 volt stuff in your RV with or without a battery. The ONLY negative side is the converter will be on 24/7, thinking your battery needs charging.
  • Roger10378's avatar
    Roger10378
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2020
    If a trailer has brakes it has to have a working battery. It is required so that the trailer brakes will work if the trailer breaks away from the TV.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Sep 05, 2020
    Power for the brakes in case of breakaway is necessary.

    And the converter may not supply enough amperage to properly operate your slides and maintain proper voltage. Hydraulic slide motors pull a lot of amps and have heavy wires to them. Not sure about electric slides.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2020
    now that you know you need one ,take care of it, clean an charge as needed check water level four times a year.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2020
    Saving a buck by not having a battery isn’t wise and could be deadly when you are towing and the TV and 5er/TT separate. You’ll probably be fine, others may be injured or die. This is basic towing safety.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Sep 05, 2020
    As said above, you need a charged battery as a safety device to operate the brakes if the trailer somehow gets disconnected during tow.

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