Hello all - New to RVing, new to the site.I just received (delivered) my very first travel trailer! 2017 Outback 240 URS which I will be pulling with my 2013 F150. I already purchased and setup my Equalizer hitch and took it for a test drive. I also bought a Champion 3500 max generator/ inverter with wireless start for boon docking which I anticipate doing a lot of. I already joined GoodSam's.My RV was delivered from Ohio so I was not on hand for the typical dealer walk through. I have been anticipating the delivery and ownership so I've been putting together my list of things to get.I do have a few questions (I'm sure I'll have more) that I'm hoping you guys can help me with. Trailer came with a single deep cycle battery. I will buy a second one this week and I have watched a couple youtube videos on how to hook them up in parallel. I will eventually do some solar when money allows.Q1. Do the batteries charge when plugged into an outlet?I know that my truck while running will charge the batteries, but when plugged in at a trailer park with electrical are my batteries being charged? When using my generator are my batteries being charged?Q2. I noticed that the jack, the slide out, the lights (All LED's), and the radio are powered by 12v power, anything else?Q3. Do you guys pull your batteries off and trickle charge at home when not in use? I will be storing my trailer locally so I'm wondering if I should pull the off?Q4. Is upgrading to 2 6-volt batteries worth the upgrade? I have the battery the trailer came with and I can buy a second deep cycle from Costco OR is it worth ditching the current one and getting 2 new 6-volt batteries?I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get some answers. Thanks in advance.

Yes your battery will charge when it is hooked to shore power, and As you have a F150. It will NOT charge your TT battery UNLESS you install the relays into the fuse box. On a 2013 there are 2. Your brake controller will work with out them. But the truck will not charge the TT until you install them. FORD does NOT install them but does supply them. I found mine in the dash pocket. VERY important that you install them. Q2. Yes your Fridge mother board is run b 12 volt as well as your water pump, and Water heater mother board. Q3. I unhook my battery and hook a solar charger to it when not in use. I leave it on the TT.

Terryallan - thanks very much for the insight on my F150. I will look for those relays first chance I get. How big of a solar charger do you use to maintain your battery? So, same as short power, my generator will charge the batteries as well?

New2Rv's wrote:Terryallan - thanks very much for the insight on my F150. I will look for those relays first chance I get. How big of a solar charger do you use to maintain your battery? So, same as short power, my generator will charge the batteries as well?I just use a 1.5 to maintain. My battery is fully charged when I get home from a trip. So all it has to do is keep it up. In the winter. I do take it off, and store it in my out building, attached to the solar charger with the panel in the window. It is always fully charged in the spring when I put it back on the TT. As for your generator, As long as it is supplying power it should charge the battery.

yes the generator will charge the batteries just like you're plugged into shore power. also running on 12v, propane/CO detector.i disconnect my battery (by pulling an in-line fuse near the battery) when TT is sitting at home, but leave the battery on. I'll plug in overnight before going on a trip. For winter storage, I store the battery in the basement on a float charger/maintainer.as for switching to 2 6V, I've considered it myself, but I figure I'll make that upgrade when my current battery dies. It'll depend how much you boondock. I would think with a generator and solar, you probably won't need to go nuts on batteries, as you can pretty easily recharge when needed.

danimal53 - Thanks for the input. That's a good point about removing the fuse from the battery. I noticed that the light from the radio was on and thought to myself that even the small light will eventually drain the battery.I'll likely just purchase a second 12v battery for now. Just perusing the website reading some of the battery/solar/charger information and I about went blind. A lot of battery related terms, acronyms, etc. to learn before plunging into a set up. I'll get a second 12v and since I already have the generator I'll just go from there. Supposed to take it out this coming weekend for the first time. I'm sure more questions will come up.

New to Travel Trailers with a couple questions | Good Sam Community

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 03, 2016
12V DC

Water pump, furnace, fridge controls, water heater controls, thermostat for A/C and furnace, Lights, radio, TV antenna amplifier, jacks, slideouts, roof vent fans, LP Detector, (CO might) -----------

Battery supplies the DC or converter will supply DC when on AC power (shore power cord/generator supply)and charge batteries

2-12V batteries in parallel will double your amp hours

2-6V batteries have to be in series which doubles voltage but Amp Hours remain the same
New2Rv_s
Explorer
Oct 03, 2016
danimal53 - Thanks for the input. That's a good point about removing the fuse from the battery. I noticed that the light from the radio was on and thought to myself that even the small light will eventually drain the battery.

I'll likely just purchase a second 12v battery for now.

Just perusing the website reading some of the battery/solar/charger information and I about went blind. A lot of battery related terms, acronyms, etc. to learn before plunging into a set up.

I'll get a second 12v and since I already have the generator I'll just go from there.

Supposed to take it out this coming weekend for the first time. I'm sure more questions will come up.
danimal53
Explorer
Oct 03, 2016
yes the generator will charge the batteries just like you're plugged into shore power.

also running on 12v, propane/CO detector.

i disconnect my battery (by pulling an in-line fuse near the battery) when TT is sitting at home, but leave the battery on. I'll plug in overnight before going on a trip. For winter storage, I store the battery in the basement on a float charger/maintainer.

as for switching to 2 6V, I've considered it myself, but I figure I'll make that upgrade when my current battery dies. It'll depend how much you boondock. I would think with a generator and solar, you probably won't need to go nuts on batteries, as you can pretty easily recharge when needed.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 03, 2016
New2Rv's wrote:
Terryallan - thanks very much for the insight on my F150. I will look for those relays first chance I get.

How big of a solar charger do you use to maintain your battery? So, same as short power, my generator will charge the batteries as well?

I just use a 1.5 to maintain. My battery is fully charged when I get home from a trip. So all it has to do is keep it up. In the winter. I do take it off, and store it in my out building, attached to the solar charger with the panel in the window. It is always fully charged in the spring when I put it back on the TT.

As for your generator, As long as it is supplying power it should charge the battery.
New2Rv_s
Explorer
Oct 03, 2016
Terryallan - thanks very much for the insight on my F150. I will look for those relays first chance I get.

How big of a solar charger do you use to maintain your battery? So, same as short power, my generator will charge the batteries as well?
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 03, 2016
Yes your battery will charge when it is hooked to shore power, and As you have a F150. It will NOT charge your TT battery UNLESS you install the relays into the fuse box. On a 2013 there are 2. Your brake controller will work with out them. But the truck will not charge the TT until you install them. FORD does NOT install them but does supply them. I found mine in the dash pocket. VERY important that you install them.

Q2. Yes your Fridge mother board is run b 12 volt as well as your water pump, and Water heater mother board.

Q3. I unhook my battery and hook a solar charger to it when not in use. I leave it on the TT.

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