Okay so here's the question, when we are home I park the camper in the driveway and plug it in. Keeping the fridge running and the Air set on about 80 just to keep it from getting too stuffy in there, is this a good idea or is it better to leave everything unplugged when not in use?

Ours is always plugged in at home, may or may not run fridge and/or air. Usually just an overhead vent fan to pull out the worst of the heat buildup. Keeps batteries charged, motion sensor lights working, and whatever.

our tt is always plugged in at home, bathroom fan running, a light light on and keeps the battery topped upin the winter its always plugged in, keeps the battery cozy and warm

One thing to look out for is the type of controller your trailer has. If it's a relatively new trailer, it is likely equipped with a four stage controller. If it is five or so years old, it may only be equipped with a 3 stage controller.A four stage controller is designed for long term battery storage with little or no load. It will ensure you do not boil your batteries by reducing the voltage when the battery is fully charged.A three stage controller does not have this feature.So in other words, know which system you have before you plug it in with no load for a long period of time.

Check the battery water levels once in awhile.

We do the same here for our campers...The one drawback for us is the charging of the batteries. If your converter/charger always just puts out 13.6VDC then this will over time boil out your battery fluids.I originally had a single mode charger going and ruined one of my batteries doing this. After changing out for the smart mode converter/charger have not seen any boiling out of lfuids since then. I still check my batteries every couple or weeks or so just out of habit.Roy Ken

Keeping camper plugged in at home | Good Sam Community

sbowman871
Explorer
Jun 28, 2016
Plugged in at home 24/7 when not moving. Fridge off, AC on only when we driveway camp. Just changed the battery after 8 years of use. I also have it plugged in during winter storage months. My small solar panel never doesn't have a chance.
2112
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2016
I have my current FW plugged in next to the garage. It's almost 4 years old and I turned off the fridge for the first time this weekend to defrost it. I'll fire it back up and restock it this weekend.

As for the battery, I turn on the disconnect switch Friday's and turn it back off on Sunday evening. It charges over the weekend.
Golfcart
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
I keep mine plugged in at work. Free electricity so I keep my AC on at about 80, and I keep the ice box full of popsicles for everyone on hot days.

I like having my trailer ready to go at a moments notice. There are a couple nice campgrounds not far from my wifes work to make her friday commute easy :-P
westend
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
I have solar, an upgraded battery bank, and an inverter. I can run the 120 V fridge and entertainment devices without being connected to shore power. The batteries are always fully charged and everything essential is working. Currently, my TT is used more as a man cave and guest house than a mobile home. If I had to use A/C, it would have to be connected to the grid.
RamRider
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
I keep ours plugged in and monitor the water level in the battery, I do turn on the fridge a few days before we depart, We travel about one week per month so every thing is ready to roll after checking out tire pressure and lights.
IdaD
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
I generally only plug mine in the week or so before we leave for a trip. Gets the battery charged, cools off the fridge/freezer so we can add food and the AC makes it pleasant to load and prep in hot weather. I added a dedicated 50 amp plug so I have plenty of power available.

It's also nice when we have guests staying so they can have their own space (and more importantly so can we).
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
dadmomh wrote:
Never could understand our camping buddies....they'd pull their trailer into it's spot at home, plug it in, then haul all the frig stuff into the house. Huh?

With the cost of electricity skyrocketing the reason is obvious why many of us who park our rigs at home and plug in do prefer to not run the fridge. :S I do use the trailer while it's parked here at home but I don't need the fridge - so it's turned off.
dadmomh
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
We always kept both our HTT and TT plugged in at home. DH installed a battery disconnect switch. Left the frig on and the A/C about 80. We used it lots of evenings just to take a cold beverage out, enjoy our little second home and talk about upcoming trips. Also made a top-notch guest house.....seemed that company preferred our trailer to the futon in my sewing room. Wonder why.

Never could understand our camping buddies....they'd pull their trailer into it's spot at home, plug it in, then haul all the frig stuff into the house. Huh? All we had to do to head out was to add the last minute foods, clothes, etc and pull out. Lots less work.
FLGup
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016
In the high humidity of south FL and on the coast.....I always keep it plugged in to 30amp and AC set to 85. All the windows are covered with Reflectix to cut down on heat and UV damage to blinds. The heat here (and in TX where OP is from) is brutal + humidity.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 26, 2016
Alabama Jim wrote:
We do the same as JohnO. Sometimes I wonder if we are wearing out the refrigerator by letting it run so much.

What is there to wear out..........no moving parts.
And as long as it is level no harm.