Forum Discussion

trublupsu94's avatar
trublupsu94
Explorer
Jun 06, 2014

Battery on tow vehicle

Quick question. I took my travel trailer to my local dealer to get state inspection done. I haven't towed the camper since October. When I go this long, I usually unhook the battery and bring it home to sit on a Battery Tender.

I towed the camper to the dealer and parked it in the service lot. The guys came out to start the truck about an hour later and it wouldn't start. They had to jump it. After they jumped it, they left it running until I paid and left. When I got to the storage, I backed it in and left the truck running until I got home. When I got home I turned it off and it fired right up.

Do you think I have a bad battery or could there be a short in the camper somewhere causing an issue?
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    Jun 09, 2014
    Has the battery died again since this incident?
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2014
    trublupsu94 wrote:
    Battery was on the camper and it was charged. I have an electric lift fit the tongue and it worked perfectly not plugged into the wall nor connected to the truck.


    Then you have another problem, or you left the lights on. Something pulled the battery down, and it wasn't the TT.

    Usually A 4 year old F150 isn't old enough to have a bad battery, as Ford OEM batteries generally last more than 7 years.
  • trublupsu94's avatar
    trublupsu94
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    Battery was on the camper and it was charged. I have an electric lift fit the tongue and it worked perfectly not plugged into the wall nor connected to the truck.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    I agree with Terryallan. The camper can't kill the truck battery on a Ford with the key off unless it's been modified.
    Your post makes it sound like you towed the trailer with no battery on it. This means you have no break-away brakes on the trailer which is illegal and unsafe.
    Did the inspection guy pass it this way? Shame on him. He was asleep on the job.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    I agree with Terryallan. The camper can't kill the truck battery on a Ford with the key off unless it's been modified.
    Your post makes it sound like you towed the trailer with no battery on it. This means you have no break-away brakes on the trailer which is illegal and unsafe.
    Did the inspection guy pass it this way? Shame on him. He was asleep on the job.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Jun 06, 2014
    Unless you left the switch on. The truck was disconnected from the trailer while parked. Fords do not energize the trailer unless the switch is on. So the TT would not have drained the TV battery.

    could you have left the park lights on, or flashers?

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