Plug or unplug that is the question

Jframpey wrote:
I disconnect- Chevrolet stays hot with ignition switch off (at least 2008 Silverado). Why take a chance of draining my vehicle battery? What if the converter quits, power outage, surge?

If you’re going by risk, there’s a greater chance a pin will break off in the 7-way connector when you go to plug it in than a power issue affecting your truck. Even if the shore power failed, you’d have to run enough 12v loads to drain your trailer and truck batteries.

In our case it’s a truck camper and there is no option to unplug until it’s partially lifted up.

The charge wire from my truck is always hot, so yes, I unplug. If that circuit drew power through a relay, as many newer trucks do, I’d probably leave it plugged in. I’m not worried about forgetting to plug it back in before driving away, as I’ve made it part of the routine to put the flashers on and do a quick check of the rear of the trailer to check or light, each morning before driving away.

I never realized trailers had to be disconnected and I certainly don't understand why. I have a truck camper. The 7 way is always connected to my truck.

"I can't think of any risk in disconnecting, except for maybe forgetting to reconnect when you leave, but you'll figure that out pretty quickly when you check your mirrors and don't see your running lights on." X2.
I also lay the 7way connector on the bed rail where it can be seen in the rear view mirror. But if you check your trailer brakes and lights it is unlikely you would forget to connect the 7way.

I always unplug, if just for an overnite. I also drop the stabilizers. Don't know or care what could go wrong,just know that it can't if there is no connection.

I never unhook the 7 pin weather I am hooked up to shore power or not. the solar charger is always going and I have no conection between the battery in the camper and the 7 pin so no need.

Steve

Heck, I unplug the 7-pin and drop the trailer jack and stands....for just one night.
Do what makes you happy.

I do not believe it matters. .I'd not do it.

12 volt systems are very.... Socialist (Each according to it's ability/nees, the Commun form of socialism not to be confused with other forms)

Parked, connected, engine off, the Tow vehicle's isolator should be "open" (isolate mode) and the converter on the trailer should be the highest voltage (The most able) so it will provide charge for the trailer batteries, and lights, fans, water pump et-al that need 12 volt inside.

If the isolator fails. it will also top off the tow vehicle (no damage) this assumes all lead acid batteries .

So no need to unplug if not unhooking. If unhooking, then unplug.

JRscooby wrote:
I don't know about where you camp, but I can't see why take a risk leaving trailer hooked to TV overnight. In most CGs I have used there is a strong building somewhere that works as a storm shelter. While I can walk there with no issue, it does not need to be very far away for it not to be faster to get wife and self in TV, drive there, out of vehicle and in the shelter. TV tied to trailer? Take much longer.
If you are worried about the time to hook back up, for many a lot of that time is spotting TV. 5th wheel, if you only move a few inches, just keep hands off the wheel you will be fine. Ball coupler? Put a chock tight behind rear TV tire, keep hands off wheel.

Along those same lines, I always unhitch no matter what. A lot of our camping is off-road riding, and we've had to make plenty of unscheduled trips to go rescue someone or take somebody to the local hospital. It's one of my few superstitions: If I don't unhitch, I'll probably need to leave in a hurry and I'll regret that I'm still hitched up.

As for the original question though, I'd compare the risks of disconnecting vs. staying connected.

I can't think of any risk in disconnecting, except for maybe forgetting to reconnect when you leave, but you'll figure that out pretty quickly when you check your mirrors and don't see your running lights on.

Years ago before we had solar, we had a trip or two where we ran the batteries down too low to run the tongue jack or crank up the gen. It was a drag to have to manually crank up the jack before I could turn the truck around and jump start the gen.

JRscooby wrote:
I don't know about where you camp, but I can't see why take a risk leaving trailer hooked to TV overnight. In most CGs I have used there is a strong building somewhere that works as a storm shelter. While I can walk there with no issue, it does not need to be very far away for it not to be faster to get wife and self in TV, drive there, out of vehicle and in the shelter. TV tied to trailer? Take much longer.
If you are worried about the time to hook back up, for many a lot of that time is spotting TV. 5th wheel, if you only move a few inches, just keep hands off the wheel you will be fine. Ball coupler? Put a chock tight behind rear TV tire, keep hands off wheel.

There’s a concern I never considered. And totally unrelated to the topic....