Should I leave my Travel trailer plugged in or not?

All accessories have a duty cycle that determines how long they live.

I unplug and bring the batteries to the house where I can monitor them 24/7.

This works for us as we don't camp as often anymore so the unit sits most of its life. Doesn't make cents/sense to leave it plugged in and wearing itself out in my situation.

For the last 10 years I've left the TT plugged into the 20A house circuit all year round, and had no issues. Well, except for the time I ran over the cord with my snowblower, but that's a story for another day.....

crcr wrote:
Here is the kill switch I installed on the front of our TT, just a foot or so from our two 6V golf cart batteries. You turn it and remove and then there is no possible load on the battery. EVERYTHING goes thru the kill swith -- even the electric tongue jack power goes dead.

You can see I used an outdoor electrical box and cover from a big box building supply. The kill switch just fit in the box and the cover closes. You can see I use a tiny luggage lock to limit access to the kill switch.

image upload no limit[/img]

good little MOD.... I'm gonna steal that... Good Yob Mang!

Normally a 12 guage extension cord is all that is available readily .
That is a 20 amp cord.
10 guage is 30 amp , 14 guage is 15 amp .
In my garage I have a couple of 20 amp circuits .
I have not tripped the 20 amp breaker with the AC .
I use the same receptacle to run Christmas lights .
If your electric panel is in the garage you might be able to add an 20 amp additional breaker and place a 20 amp receptacle at the panel .
Or a 30 amp .

korbe wrote:

Bmach wrote:
For me when not using the trailer I disconnect the battery. I see no reason to run anything when it is not being used.

That's the simple way I look at it also.

That has been my plan for a dozen years also .
The batteries have not discharged enough to freeze in the winter at 4100 feet ASL .
We mostly camp without hookups and I really do not do anything special to charge the batteries other than hooking them up , connecting to 120V while we are packing , and of course driving down the road a couple of hours before camping .
Over time I have converted to the AGM batteries , exide EDGE , which charge faster than conventional .

thanks for all the helpful and informative advice. Two final questions... The 15 or 20 amp outlet pole that I have near my parking pad and travel trailer, how can I convert that to 30amp so I can plug in and run a/c etc without tripping my house electric?
Or would I have to excavate from my house all way back to my pole to run a thicker gauge wire?
Second, Am I advised to buy a better extension cord to plug in and run my fridge and lights etc... I believe someone mentioned a 10 gauge or 14 gauge extension cord.....
Thanks

I plug mine into a timer. It goes on for 2 hrs. each day. This way I don't have to worry about overcharging and boiling the batteries. It's just enough to keep them fully charged. Been doing it this way for 12 years and 5 motor homes, no problems ever! The timer is plugged inside the garage and then I run an extension cord to the MH.

Here is the kill switch I installed on the front of our TT, just a foot or so from our two 6V golf cart batteries. You turn it and remove and then there is no possible load on the battery. EVERYTHING goes thru the kill swith -- even the electric tongue jack power goes dead.

You can see I used an outdoor electrical box and cover from a big box building supply. The kill switch just fit in the box and the cover closes. You can see I use a tiny luggage lock to limit access to the kill switch.

image upload no limit[/img]

Both our HTT and now our TT are always plugged in. Many an evening spent in there enjoying a glass and some quiet time. Voltmeter is high on the priority list. We keep it plugged in to a very visible outlet and can always know if there is an electrical problem, either at home or at the CG. BTW, frig is always on and basic foods left from trip #1 until time to winterize....no hauling back and forth.

Lantley wrote:
I left my last rig plugged in 24/7 365. I keep my current plugged in 24/7 365. The only time it is not plugged in is when it is rolling down the highway.
I have had no issues. Monitor the water level in your batteries and you will be fine.

Same here!