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tooldad1041's avatar
tooldad1041
Explorer
May 09, 2013

Want to add a battery to my truck camper - help please

I am new to truck campers, however I know that trailer campers have this feature. Most of the time where we camp, we will be running off a generator or 12v power.

I want to add a battery to my truck camper so that when I am parked and not hooked up to shore power, the camper is not draining my truck battery.

I have not had this truck camper out yet, but was wondering if it was possible and how difficult.

The camper is a Palomino Bronco 1500, 2005 model.

thanks in advance for any information and suggestions.

Tooldad - Arnold MO
Truck Campers
  • MKish's avatar
    MKish
    Explorer II
    May 09, 2013
    Maybe you can find out where the battery goes in a new Bronco--apparently it's even now just an option and not a standard feature, but there must be a spot for it. I don't think they change that much. Then you can plop your battery box there, vent it if needed, and do the wiring.

    Get the thingy (isolator?) on your truck so that when the truck is turned off, the 12V line to the camper is dead. That's more important than an onboard battery!
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    May 09, 2013
    A little unusual for newer TCs. In the old days we put the xtra battery under the hood on opposit side & used a solenoid to isolate them. Under hood is pretty crowded on newer vehicles. Could use wheel well area.
  • tooldad1041's avatar
    tooldad1041
    Explorer
    May 09, 2013
    Yes, that is correct. No in house battery and draws from shore power or truck battery. I want to put a TC battery in the middle to avoid truck draw when parked for an extended time.

    thanks.
  • pezvela's avatar
    pezvela
    Explorer
    May 09, 2013
    Tooldad, are you saying that your camper has NO house battery of its own and that it always draws off your truck battery when you are not plugged into 110v AC?

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