Why does a camper have a battery? You don't have a starter. If you are always connected to shore power, why do you need one? Maybe if I boondocked, but the power from a battery isn't going to do much other than run the lights after dark for an hour or two. Thanks,

realter wrote:Why does a camper have a battery? You don't have a starter. If you are always connected to shore power, why do you need one? Maybe if I boondocked, but the power from a battery isn't going to do much other than run the lights after dark for an hour or two. Thanks, A healthy batty will give you much ,ore than a couple hours of light. I use two 6V golf cart batteries and I can go out for three nights without any electricity. During that time, I run a CPAP, TV, lights, water pump, etc.. When we are on road trips, it is not uncommon for us to spend a night at a truck stop or rest area.

To activate the brakes if you have a breakaway.

x2.The battery your dealer provides (often they are NOT included from the factory) also allows many hours of running the propane fridge, propane water heater and even the furnace over night, along with some time on the lights, if you maintain the stock battery and charge it properly. Many never or seldom use the self contained features, but I have yet to see a camper built without them.Jim

joebedford wrote:To activate the brakes if you have a breakaway.X3 and it acts as a very large capacitor/filter for the 12v system.

The battery on a camper (or trailer) has nothing to do with vehicle brakes. It's strictly for use by the camper/trailer.It supplies power to all the 12volt systems in the camper- but if you have nothing powered by 12 volt, get rid of it.

What's the purpose of a battery in a camper? | Good Sam Community

31 Replies

Huntindog
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
mena661 wrote:
Actually we don't have a winner as newer converters don't need a battery at all. This is not conjecture, this is fact. The OP said he only does full hookups so it would be best if he posted make and model of converter. That would tell us if he needs the battery or not. Personally, I'd get a battery regardless just in case the park loses power. That will at least let you run the furnace for a night.

I didn't mention the converter.
I suppose on a TC one could set it up to draw off of the truck battery...Sort of unconventional, and I wouldn't do it. I like the battery isolated so that the truck will always start.:B
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
i just surprised that someone with a truck camper, never dry camps or boondocks.
i thought that was the beauty of having a TC.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Convert it totally to a "Park Model". No 12 volts at all. Nothing.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Jul 03, 2013
realter wrote:
I am referring to my truck camper or sometimes called a slide in. Any harm in using it with a dead battery, if I only camp at places with electrical hook ups?

Yes.

The converter will overheat trying to charge the unchargeable dead battery.

The dead battery will also kill your truck's battery, leaving you stranded.

Remove the dead battery from the camper.
69_Avion
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
I would have an on board battery even if I had a modern converter. I can't imagine only using my camper in a campground with power, but I'm sure there are folks that like it that way. My camper is older and I have a small battery charger, with no modern converter. As stated above, how would you run a modern refrigerator while on the road with no 12 volts? My original refrigerator and water heater didn't require 12 volt power, but when I rebuilt the camper I put in modern electronic ignition. I don't regret that at all. It is much nicer.
So to answer the OPs question, if set up properly you can run a TC without a battery, but with modern appliances you can't use them on the road without the 12 volts.
Simplygib
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
The 12v for your circuit boards, detectors, lights, water pump, etc. can come from the converter or a battery - so technically a battery is not required (at least on rigs with converters that don't require a battery to be hooked up). But what if there's a power outage at the campground? No fridge, no detectors, no lights, no water pump, no furnace fan ..... And what about when you're driving? What powers your fridge circuit board if you have no battery? I don't think the 12v coming through the 7-pin connector will power those things, at least not on all rigs (for my old camper, it only powers the camper's running lights).
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 03, 2013
You can get by fine with no battery in a truck camper if that is the goal.

The 12 volt items will be temporarily not functioning unless they have power including furnace, fridge, propane water heater, lights, water pump, fans etc. 12v power can come from the truck or the converter when plugged in.

An old unit with an old converter such as magnetek 6300 needs a battery to filter ripple in the poor 12 volt supply.

You might have the moderator move this to the truck camper forum to get more specific experience.
mena661
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Actually we don't have a winner as newer converters don't need a battery at all. This is not conjecture, this is fact. The OP said he only does full hookups so it would be best if he posted make and model of converter. That would tell us if he needs the battery or not. Personally, I'd get a battery regardless just in case the park loses power. That will at least let you run the furnace for a night.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
wa8yxm wrote:
Francesca Knowles wrote:
.
Not that it matters in this case, since we're talking about a camper.

The law varies from state to state, I know of at least one state where any TRAILER over say 1500 pounds needs aux brakes,, Camper may mean trailer or slide in pick up camper.

On a pick up camper.. If you have a fridge, Air conditioner or other device that uses 12 volt for control.. and for one reason or another you "Drop" the "house" part and drive off in the truck... You need a battery to power the fridge's control (less you have shore power) to power the furnace (less you have shore power) to power the lights (Less you have shore power ) and you don't always have shore power.

We have a winner!!

Most if not all newer TTs,TCs,MHs, etc. need a constant 12 volt power supply to maintain voltage for various items. Fridge circuit board, propane/CO detectors, and of course if a TT the brakes.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 03, 2013
Francesca Knowles wrote:
.
Not that it matters in this case, since we're talking about a camper.

The law varies from state to state, I know of at least one state where any TRAILER over say 1500 pounds needs aux brakes,, Camper may mean trailer or slide in pick up camper.

On a pick up camper.. If you have a fridge, Air conditioner or other device that uses 12 volt for control.. and for one reason or another you "Drop" the "house" part and drive off in the truck... You need a battery to power the fridge's control (less you have shore power) to power the furnace (less you have shore power) to power the lights (Less you have shore power ) and you don't always have shore power.