Tow/Camper connected

[R_E_Baird]

Anyone's opinion...when towing a camper and stopping overnight at a hotel, do you leave the electrical connected to the camper or disconnect? And why?

[SoundGuy]

As one who has always owned a GM truck I much prefer a charge line that's hot all the time and is not controlled by a relay. JMO, but if I can't remember to unplug the trailer from the truck when parked then maybe it's time to hang up the skates and start gardening instead. :W

[Tvov]

I always unplug. Only takes a moment. Every time I go back to the truck to resume towing - rest stop, overnight, etc - I do a walk around checking things, including the plug.

We did an "overnight" at a hotel on our way to Disney World years ago. I thought the kids would want to use the pool, we could use the hotel shower, and we could have breakfast at the restaurant. Nope - kids didn't care about the pool, our camper has a shower, and we left too early to have breakfast at the hotel.

Later trips we just found campgrounds with drive thru campsites. Cost less than a hotel room too!

[2112]

DSteiner51 wrote:

2112 wrote:
Even with the relay I disconnect for the piece of mind. You never know when something will fail

Just curious... Your tow vehicle has numerous relays other then the one for power to the trailer. How come you don’t trust the one while still trusting the others or do you disconnect the battery in case one of those relays fails also?

I'm not going to be obsessive about it but I would sure hate to wake up to a dead battery. Unplugging it is quick and simple.

Other than not risking it I don't like the fact that my camper running lights come on when I open the truck door.

[DSteiner51]

2112 wrote:
Even with the relay I disconnect for the piece of mind. You never know when something will fail

Just curious... Your tow vehicle has numerous relays other then the one for power to the trailer. How come you don’t trust the one while still trusting the others or do you disconnect the battery in case one of those relays fails also?

[RockyMt]

always have left the pigtail connected- also always had Fords.

[2112]

Even with the relay I disconnect for the piece of mind. You never know when something will fail

[R_E_Baird]

Not my 1st choice, but it was out of necessity.

[beemerphile1]

I stay connected when on overnight stops but am puzzled why you want to sleep in the cauldron of unknown juices in a hotel bed rather than the comfort of your own bed.

[Hammerhead]

I think our Durango and Grand Cherokees only has the +12V pin active when the ignition was on or set to accessory.

[tdiller]

jfkmk wrote:
Terryallen, is that true for the new Fords as well? Sorry for the stupid question, I just bought my F150 and haven't towed with it yet. That would be a bonus!

Just take a cheap multi meter and check each pin of the plug with the ignition off and with it on. If you see any voltage with the ignition off then disconnect the trailer when you stop for the night.

My 2015 ram has a live wire at all times so if something is running on battery in my popup it will drain in.

[wnjj]

You also need to see if it's even charging right now. You may have to connect the wire at the under hood fuse box and/or install the stud #1 fuse.

If you don't have or install an isolator, pull the fuse at night instead so there's no forgotten lights or brakes. The worst you'll have is no charging.

[R_E_Baird]

Guess I need to check the specs if my 2017 GMC Sierra to see if it is isolated from the camper when turned off.

[Terryallan]

jfkmk wrote:
Terryallen, is that true for the new Fords as well? Sorry for the stupid question, I just bought my F150 and haven't towed with it yet. That would be a bonus!

Far as I know it is. They have been doing it that way as long as I have been towing. Wouldn't think they would change now.
My current TV is a 2013. Prev a 2004, Prev a 2002 expe, and 1996, F150, Prev 1985 Ranger, All the way back to a 1972 f100 Ranger, and 1972 Cougar. All only energized the trailer with the switch on.

[jfkmk]

Terryallen, is that true for the new Fords as well? Sorry for the stupid question, I just bought my F150 and haven't towed with it yet. That would be a bonus!