I keep my hauler plugged in all the time at home. My neighbor just told me a tech at a RV dealer told him not to, but plug it in once a month for a week to charge the batts. Anyone know of any cons to leaving it plugged in all the time?

Neighbor is partially correct. If you have a 3 stage/multi-stage battery charger you're ok, but most RVs don't come with those. If you don't have one you can cook/boil your batteries. If you plan on using your RV while it's parked then upgrading to a 3/multi-stage charger may be a wise move. But before you do anything, find out what charger/converter you have.

freewayrandy wrote:I keep my hauler plugged in all the time at home. My neighbor just told me a tech at a RV dealer told him not to, but plug it in once a month for a week to charge the batts. Anyone know of any cons to leaving it plugged in all the time?After a camping trip I let my batteries charge for a few days then I throw the breaker to the converter inside the camper so it does not charge anymore.Then a day or so befor my next trip I turn it he converter back on to top off the batteries.That way my fridge stays cold.

My trailer has been plugged in for two years with no problems. Just check water in batteries about once a month until you know if your converter will overcharge them. I have to add water about once every 6 months.

Whats the difference of plugging in at home all the time or plugging in at the RV park for days/weeks/months at a time? Answer... NOTHING! Now that is not to say you should ignore your batteries, but there is no difference. I have had my RV's at home and plugged in since around 1977 with no serious problems, ever. All this hype about three stage converter/chargers I think is just that, hype. Check and maintain your batteries, leave your RV plugged on and ready to go at a moments notice. The alternative is not so nice if you decide to pull out on a moments notice and discover deqd batteries because you forgot to plug it in last week for a couple of days.

Stay plugged in in storage?Stay plugged in roast batteries?

Shore power at home/plugged in all the time? | Good Sam Community

mowdoc
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
skipnchar wrote:
My trailer has been plugged in for two years with no problems. Just check water in batteries about once a month until you know if your converter will overcharge them. I have to add water about once every 6 months.

X2
nayther
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
I had issues when I had the OEM parallax converter, since switching to a 3 stage 60 amp converter I leave it plugged in all the time. However if I'm not using it for a long period of time, and the fridge is off I'll open the battery disconnect just in case.
Strabo
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
Ive found that motorhomes boil thier batteries, everyone i know has had it happen.

Haulers, no one i know has had it happen.
Badhabt
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
I have kept mine plugged in since i bought it in 2006 when at home. No issues of boiling the batteries (I still have the original 12V Interstates from 2006).
NEOK
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
I keep mine plugged in to a timer so it only comes on for a couple of hours a day when not in use. I use a Flow Rite battery watering system to fill the batteries. The batteries are about four years old with no problems so far.
2btowed
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
The "cooking " of the batts,depends on several factors,amp output of charger and how many items constantly pulling amps down,also how many batteries you have.If your charger puts out only 3 amps,probably no problem,but you are gonna run the Onan all night to recharge from a low battery state,if a 10 amp charger might boil out the batts if left plugged in all the time. The advantage of 3 stage smart charger is you can set the ranges of charge and it will automatically reduce charging rate as battery is charged.Mine will start out at 80 amps and go down from there.If I am running a small genny I can cut back charging amps so the genny won't cut off.I consider the inverter/charger one of the best things I have installed on my TH,and yes I boondock almost every time I camp.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 22, 2013
dedmiston wrote:
So for those of you who keep yours plugged in 24/7/365, how many of you boondock? It sounds like a lot of you keep your rigs plugged in all the time except for when you're on your way to a full hookup site. Many of the Toy Hauler members don't camp where there are any services.

While I don't boondock regularly. I do occasionally go without hook ups. If I need electric I press the button and use the lp Onan 5500.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 22, 2013
dedmiston wrote:
So for those of you who keep yours plugged in 24/7/365, how many of you boondock? It sounds like a lot of you keep your rigs plugged in all the time except for when you're on your way to a full hookup site. Many of the Toy Hauler members don't camp where there are any services.

Shore power when available, generator as needed and charging from truck while in transit. Yes we do boondocking also which means batteries have been pulled down and need charging.
Point is.....our batteries are maintained on a charger majority of time.
Going on 7 yrs.

But now I'll probably start having battery problems :B
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2013
Mine's always plugged in to sunshine. Not a TH, but doesn't matter.
dedmiston
Moderator
Oct 22, 2013
So for those of you who keep yours plugged in 24/7/365, how many of you boondock? It sounds like a lot of you keep your rigs plugged in all the time except for when you're on your way to a full hookup site. Many of the Toy Hauler members don't camp where there are any services.