Anyone's opinion...when towing a camper and stopping overnight at a hotel, do you leave the electrical connected to the camper or disconnect? And why?

I have never done an overnight, but I always disconnect from TV if hooked up at my house getting ready due to power draw from TV battery. Don't want that to go dead.

Thanks. That's my concern also, at least one.

Disconnect, so as not to drain the tow vehicle chassis battery.

Your GM does not have a relay to isolate the trailer from the truck. Fords for example has a relay to disconnect the charge line from trailer connector.I would suggest adding a relay so it would disconnect rather then having to pull the trailer connector.A relay wired as shown in the instructions would serve you well.Relay

Thanks. I forsee me forgetting to reconnect only to discover this mashing on the brakes only to realize it running through the vehicle in front of me.

Tow/Camper connected | Good Sam Community

wnjj
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2017
You also need to see if it's even charging right now. You may have to connect the wire at the under hood fuse box and/or install the stud #1 fuse.

If you don't have or install an isolator, pull the fuse at night instead so there's no forgotten lights or brakes. The worst you'll have is no charging.
R_E_Baird
Explorer
Nov 22, 2017
Guess I need to check the specs if my 2017 GMC Sierra to see if it is isolated from the camper when turned off.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2017
jfkmk wrote:
Terryallen, is that true for the new Fords as well? Sorry for the stupid question, I just bought my F150 and haven't towed with it yet. That would be a bonus!

Far as I know it is. They have been doing it that way as long as I have been towing. Wouldn't think they would change now.
My current TV is a 2013. Prev a 2004, Prev a 2002 expe, and 1996, F150, Prev 1985 Ranger, All the way back to a 1972 f100 Ranger, and 1972 Cougar. All only energized the trailer with the switch on.
jfkmk
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
Terryallen, is that true for the new Fords as well? Sorry for the stupid question, I just bought my F150 and haven't towed with it yet. That would be a bonus!
Terryallan
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2017
R.E.Baird wrote:
Anyone's opinion...when towing a camper and stopping overnight at a hotel, do you leave the electrical connected to the camper or disconnect? And why?

In truth it all depends on your brand of Tow vehicle. I have a Ford. So, I don't have to disconnect. Ford only energizes the trailer when the ignition switch is turned on. It can sit hooked up forever, and the Tt will not bother it one little bit.
Muddydogs
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
cmcdar wrote:
I stay in my camper overnight at a Walmart close to the interstate.

I have never disconnected the camper from my truck. This would be 15 or twenty times now.

Your mileage may vary...

In general you won't ever have a problem leaving the trailer connected. The one time you have a trailer battery issue and don't realize it and the trailer runs down the truck battery leaving you setting in the parking lot with no juice will be the time you wish you disconnected the trailer. Its no big deal setting in a Walmart parking lot were you can purchase a battery but some isolated rest stop parking lot could be a slight issue.
cmcdar
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
I stay in my camper overnight at a Walmart close to the interstate.

I have never disconnected the camper from my truck. This would be 15 or twenty times now.

Your mileage may vary...
path1
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
R.E.Baird wrote:
Thanks. I forsee me forgetting to reconnect only to discover this mashing on the brakes only to realize it running through the vehicle in front of me.

You're kidding right?....You don't do a "pre-trip"?
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
I disconnect.
R_E_Baird
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
Thanks. I forsee me forgetting to reconnect only to discover this mashing on the brakes only to realize it running through the vehicle in front of me.