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Bob_Vaughn's avatar
Bob_Vaughn
Explorer
Jan 12, 2017

Asked and Answered

This may have been asked and answered already but we just started looking at 5th wheels with residential refrigerators today. I understand they can run on the batteries for about 8 hours. But what if you drove 8 hours then stopped over night in a rest stop. Would the truck charge the batteries enough during the 8 hour drive to still get 8 hours of refrigerator time over night??
Seeking Advice
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2017
    Depends on your truck. Some trucks are designed to disconnect the live battery feed to the trailer when the engine is shut off. Some are live all the time and never shut off.

    But, if your's is "alive" all the time, the trailer will also draw power from the truck battery. When you get ready to start your truck, the battery in the truck might not have enough charge to even start.

    You always have the option to run your truck engine all night to keep the batteries charged.

    Personally, I'd never do it. I always unplug my trailer pig-tail, even if it's not actively sending power to the camper when the engine is off. It's just a risk I don't want to deal with. And my truck has 2 twelve volt batteries. It takes all the Umph to get the truck started! (diesel you know).

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