Brand new to anything but tent camping

[nickhornback]

Hello All!

I just purchased a 2005 Timberland Riverside TT. I got a heck of a deal on it and could not say no. I have a few questions, probably stupid ones, but hoping I can get some help on here. I need to replace the battery... How do I tell what size battery or what type of battery I need? My other question.. If I am not plugged in, do I have to find a switch or anything to get power from my battery or does it just default to the battery if you are not plugged in. Should I keep my battery hooked up when I am not using it or take unhook it from the TT? If anyone has any tips or suggestions for someone new to using a TT, please let me know!! I will post some pics of the new toy when I figure out how to! Thanks!!!!!

Nick

[nickhornback]

Thanks so much everyone! On my off days, I was able to grab just about everything. Got the TT all cleaned up and ready to roll, cant wait to get out!

[RJCorazza]

Although addressed in other posts, my prefernce is a moderate 230ah battery bank of (2) 6v deep cycle golf cart batteries. I don't boondock, but want the option if necessary. Assuming your rig is 30a, get the 15a and 50 adapters, an extra 25' 30a cord, water hose made for drinking water, a tank filling nozzle if required for filling the tank, and a regulator if hooking up to the city water connection.
Also park power is notoriously poor, so consider a surge guard that also disconnects under low or high voltage. While pricey, an power boosting transformer can also allow you to use low voltage park power, which has saved us on several occasions.

[TerryandKim]

NanciL wrote:
Disconnect your battery when it won't be used.
There are parasitic loads, such as the radio and Co detector that will drain it.

It's also a good idea, depending how your trailer is stored, to remove the batteries if there are in an outside box. Outside, as in out of the trailer itself, such as on the tongue. On our tent trailer, which we have sold and moved up to a TT!, I had the batteries disconnected but still in the boxes. Someone came through our suburban residential area one night and cut the straps on the boxes, cut the wires to the batteries (which were disconnected anyways - you don't have to be smart to be a criminal) and took the batteries. They were well prepared as they took five others in our area - very brazen.
Once removed be sure not to store them on concrete as that drains the batteries also, put a scrap of plywood under the batteries if stored in the garage. my 2 cents, worth about 2 bits with inflation.

[Campfire_Time]

jmcgsd wrote:

That is quite inaccurate. Actually the battery will power all 12v accessories, that may include other things that are pretty important such as the CO and propane detectors. It may also be necessary to operate your reefer when not plugged in. Although the reefer does run off propane, there is also a computer circuit board in there that needs 12v. Unless you have a REALLY old unit the reefer won't run without 12v.

Actually I am accurate. Please note I said, "if you were not a boondocker". When plugged into shore power the convertor handles the 12v stuff. I Usually don't put my battery back right away in the spring as I'm bringing the trailer out of hibernation. Everything works perfectly fine on shore power without the battery.

Of course, if you do boon dock, which we did for many years, then yes, you need a battery to power everything you listed.

[Tvov]

nickhornback wrote:
Another couple probably pretty dumb questions I thought of to ask you all while its on my mind.. Are there any certain hoses and cords/adapters I need to get? I obviously never hooked up to water or anything like that so feeling a little lost there!

Walmart will probably carry an RV cord that will work. Double check on the plug, make sure it will plug into your camper. Also pickup an adapter for the RV cord so you can plug it into a standard household outlet - this is for just using low power things like lights and fans on the camper, especially when you are home loading up for a trip. I carry two 30amp cords for my camper, every so often a campsite will have the electrical connections far away and the extra cord is nice to have.

I carry two 25ft white "drinking water" hoses, also from Walmart. These are usually white with a blue stripe. They are (supposed to be, at least) made from rubber that will not impart the "hose" taste to water. I also carry two standard green garden hoses to use as "grey water" drains - this is just for the grey tank, or shower and sink water, NOT toilet water. Many campgrounds have grey water drains, makes it nice to be able to take long showers without worrying about filling up your grey tank.

Keep reading these forums, and feel free to ask questions! Everyone has their own way of doing things, and prefer different setups for camping. You'll figure out what you like as time goes on.

[2012Coleman]

Jim Shoe wrote:
Check Batteries Plus on Beechmont just east of 5 mile rd. They have every battery you can think of as well as one and two stage chargers. That's all they sell and they know their stuff. Also quick disconnect connectors for when your RV is stored.

Yea - and bring all your money! I went to this store to get rechargable batteries for the home phone - $13.99 each! Got 4 on ebay for 7 bucks.

[Murphsmom]

If you are hooked up to park water, you may need to get a water pressure regulator. Pressure usually isn't a problem, but we did find out one time when we stayed in a large, but mostly empty park, that the water pressure was so high it blew right through our system. Big wet mess. We never traveled without one after that.

You will probably need a dedicated hose for potable water, too. One of those white ones.

[diazr2]

You probably have thirty amp on the TT so it would be useful to you to get a 120 adapter. The water inlet just needs a regular garden hose it should screw right on there. To fill the tank if the nozzle doesn't fit just cut off a small peace of hose from something put a garden hose fitting on it and you will be all set.

[nickhornback]

Another couple probably pretty dumb questions I thought of to ask you all while its on my mind.. Are there any certain hoses and cords/adapters I need to get? I obviously never hooked up to water or anything like that so feeling a little lost there!

[bsinmich]

size and Cold cranking amps (CCA) or amp capacity. The heavier the battery the more plates and power you will get from it. Check the size of your battery compartment.

[nickhornback]

Another question, what are the differences between different groups like Group 24 or Group 27 and which is best to go with?

[nickhornback]

thanks everyone, very helpful! I really appreciate an exact store Jim, I will head over there tomorrow hopefully!

[NanciL]

Disconnect your battery when it won't be used.
There are parasitic loads, such as the radio and Co detector that will drain it.

jack L

[Jim_Shoe]

Check Batteries Plus on Beechmont just east of 5 mile rd. They have every battery you can think of as well as one and two stage chargers. That's all they sell and they know their stuff. Also quick disconnect connectors for when your RV is stored.