Forum Discussion

FireStopper21's avatar
Jul 25, 2015

Leaving trailer plug in when at home.

Sorry if this was talked about before, i just could not find any.

i was wondering if it is ok to leave the trailer plug in when it is park at home. we use the camper alot at home for a place for shade and a place to eat outside. i just not sure if it is good to leave the camper plug in all the time.

28 Replies

  • We have ours plugged in when we are getting near to using it or if it will be used as a guest "cottage". I do disconnect (switch) the batteries since mine seem to over charge.
  • We just came back to RV camping about a year and a half ago after twelve years of no camping :( .
    I remember reading Trailer Life back in the early nineties that leaving a RV frig on full time was not good and manufactures would not warranty units that were used full time.
    Are the new frigs now made to run full time (I sure hope so)? There have been lots of improvements to RVs over the last few years.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    We too live in our parked 5th wheel trailer here. Its plugged into the garage 20AMP Service using 10-3 gauge extension cord and RV 30A-15A adapter. Being plugged in keeps the batteries in great shape.

    Its perfect for an additional fridge for the house and a great getaway for us or the visiting kids...

    Watch HDTV in it all the time off the crank up BATWING antenna. Great for a sleep-over as well... It sits parked next to a wooded area just behind the house.

    I guess we use everything in it except the water and sewer hookups. This includes using the air conditioner and heat during the winter months.

    I also have my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer plugged into the garage on a separate 20AMP Service. My POPUP does camping on the roads during the season and around the local spots here during the winter months.

    I am always working on MOD thing on my off-road camper that supports my HAM RADIO OPs and long period camping off my batteries... Will head for Westmoreland State Park anytime summer or winter and can camp at the non-hookup spots when they close down for the season. Park Ranger lives there full time... Great place to check out my battery mods and different HAM RADIO antenna ops... Westmoreland is only 20 miles away from here in Northern Neck VA.

    I should add the only drawback I can think of leavin the trailer plugged-ion all the time is if your trailer does not not smart mode charging capability then you should keep a close watch on the battery fluid levels. The single mode converter/charger units only produce 13.6VDC and this will boil out your battery battery fluids over time. I would check the levels every week or so and keep topped just above the battery cores. Your 2011 JAYCO may not have a smart mode converter/charger unit installed. Post the model number and folks on here will give you advice on it...

    Roy Ken
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    Mine's plugged in 24/7/365 with a single stage converter.
    I turn off the battery disconnect Monday and turn it back on Friday. My battery only charges on the weekend.

    I did boil one out years ago and learned my lesson.
  • Before you do leave it plugged in full time, check your converter model. Make sure it is a 3 stage model that has the "float" stage. This will keep your batteries charged without damaging them...(trickle charge)
  • Mine is plugged in 24 X 7 x 365. The refrigerator is also on and never turned off. Doesn't hurt a thing. No difference than being at a campsite for an extended length of time. We use our's at home all year round to enjoy.
  • I've not heard anything negative about leaving it plugged in. Ours is typically plugged in all camping season and we never had any problems.
  • We leave ours plugged in 24/7 as we run a dehumidifier.