I bought a new travel trailer in late October and have yet to use it. It was winterized by the dealer and he suggested I unhook the battery and keep it inside. I assume eventually the battery will run out of juice. Should I be charging the battery periodically or can I wait til April camping season here in Ohio? Or doesn't it matter?

I place mine in the basement for the winter and put it back on the trailer a few weeks before the first trip and let it charge. Some do charge it over the winter though. I never dry camp so I am not sure what the effect on the battery is, maybe I am killing it, not sure. Always interesting to hear what others do.

Charge it...maybe once a month....aside: and use your new trailer as soon as possible. You are burning through your warranty period by just letting it sit. There are always issues (a punch list) that will need dealer warranty attention with a new trailer.and welcome to the Forum.

downtheroad wrote:Charge it...maybe once a month....aside: and use your new trailer as soon as possible. You are burning through your warranty period by just letting it sit. There are always issues (a punch list) that will need dealer warranty attention with a new trailer.and welcome to the Forum.Couldn't agree more. Will add, the reason to unhook the battery is also because there are parasitic drains on it and a battery will be out of juice within 2 weeks. If your batteries are still connected to your TT, you should get your batteries charged up pronto to make sure they last.

When my batteries drops below 12.0VDC which is approximately 50% charge state I will re-charge them. I usually leave my battery bank connected but the trailer is plugged in to my 120VAC 20AMP service coming from my garage during the winter months. Using my smart mode CONVERTER/CHARGER almost takes cares of the batteries automatically. I will however check the Battery voltages and look for boiling out of fluids.My batteries will drop below 12.0VDC in a short time being drained by the parasitic items in the trailer if not connected to shore power. It has been my experience that if the BATTERY drops below 50% charge and not be re-charged right away to at least 90% charge state then it will not perform as expected. Continuing to be drained below the 50% charge state will eventually do harm to the battery and will have to be replaced.Even if you pull your batteries they will will loose some charge. I would keep a close watch on the DC VOLTAGE levels measured at the terminals. ALot of folks will keep a small battery trickle charge or solar panel keeping the disconnected batteries up to par over the winter months.Simple Battery Maintenance is must do thing here.Roy Ken

It's now February. How's the battery doing?

Winter Battery Maintenance | Good Sam Community

RedRocket204
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
downtheroad wrote:
Charge it...maybe once a month.

...aside: and use your new trailer as soon as possible. You are burning through your warranty period by just letting it sit. There are always issues (a punch list) that will need dealer warranty attention with a new trailer.

and welcome to the Forum.

Couldn't agree more.

Will add, the reason to unhook the battery is also because there are parasitic drains on it and a battery will be out of juice within 2 weeks. If your batteries are still connected to your TT, you should get your batteries charged up pronto to make sure they last.
downtheroad
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
Charge it...maybe once a month.

...aside: and use your new trailer as soon as possible. You are burning through your warranty period by just letting it sit. There are always issues (a punch list) that will need dealer warranty attention with a new trailer.

and welcome to the Forum.
GaryWT
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
I place mine in the basement for the winter and put it back on the trailer a few weeks before the first trip and let it charge. Some do charge it over the winter though. I never dry camp so I am not sure what the effect on the battery is, maybe I am killing it, not sure. Always interesting to hear what others do.

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