First TT owner... have a few questions!

vlopddap wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:
That was going to be my SECOND suggestion, but I forgot. Simple solution for the time being, eh? And a good way to find out how/if it all works.

If you don't already have one, I'd also recommend an isolating solenoid between the tug and the trailer battery. Hard to say how long it might take for the fridge running to draw both batteries down when parked en route, but with the isolator at least you'll know you have enough juice to start the tug and begin recharging.

Thank you Francesca for this great advice. I wasn't aware this kind of device even exist! I understand the basics of the device, but I don't know how to install it since my trailer wiring is not aftermarket on my Dodge Caravan, it's the factory trailer socket wiring and I have no accessible wires going to the battery since everything is connected into the vehicle fuse-box.

Installation of the solenoid look pretty straight forward (in/out/ignition), but since the wiring for the trailer socket are not easily accessible into my van engine compartment I'm not sure how easy it will be. ;)

Maybe for now the easiest is to figure out the actual power drain of the fridge through the 12V inverter to determine a "safe period" when parked. It's probably easy to calculate since there's probably a mathematical formula for that. I just don't know it yet!! :-)

I can also simply pull out the trailer plug when parked for a few hours! LOL

I'm a little unclear here- the solenoid would be mounted at the car end of the charging line, up front under the tug's hood. Are you saying that there's no charging line from the tow vehicle to the trailer? Is there an electric brake line, now that I think about it?

I ask because I think factory wiring on the Caravan was only for trailer lights, and would use a simple four flat connector. Any other functions would have to have been added on, and use a six or, more commonly, a seven pole connector. Could be wrong about that, depending on year/model.