Disconnecting the Trailer Connection when staying Overnight.

[Canuck_Travelle]

Hi everyone, I have a question for you.

We have a Kodiak Travel Trailer and it has Dual Batteries in it, it is towed with a 2017 Silverado 1500.
I always disconnect the trailer's electrical cable when staying overnight at an un-serviced location like a Flying "J", Wal-Mart, etc.,and as a point to jog my memory put a card around the steering wheel so an old feller like myself can remember to plug in.

Question,do I have to do that or does the newer Trucks remember with software or hardware to not allow the truck battery to be siphoned off through the Trailer Connection?

Maybe I should try General Motors but thinking there is more expertise here concerning Trailer Connections, the new truck is really a large computer, quite awesome in some things but no mention that I can find with respect to this subject.

Appreciate any help or comments anyone might have.

[ktmrfs]

Second Chance wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:
GM varies. The 6.6 diesels do NOT disconnect power. Gassers vary, I don't recall what my manual said exactly but I believe vary based on if you have the dual battery option or not.

Thanks - this is good to know. We rarely overnight without shore power and the dual batteries in the truck have a lot of amp-hours - but it takes a lot of cold cranking amps to start that diesel in the morning, too!

Rob

The D/A batteries have very high CCA but not very high AH, around 70AH each IIRC.

[DutchmenSport]

naturist wrote:
My TT owners' manual says the trailer won't draw power from the TV unless it is running. But I always disconnect, too. Why take a chance?

2X !!

[PaulJ2]

My 04 GM has the charge line always hot. Never unplug for a night. Not much chance of running down three batteries. Also if you happen to have shore power your converter keeps the trailer batteries as well as the TV battery topped up.

[LadyRVer]

I have had a Ford, Dodge and Chev....always disconnected the cord at night why take a chance. I always disconnected the electrical cord to the toad at night when I towed behind a motorhome. Just me.

[Canuck_Travelle]

Second Chance wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:
GM varies. The 6.6 diesels do NOT disconnect power. Gassers vary, I don't recall what my manual said exactly but I believe vary based on if you have the dual battery option or not.

Thanks - this is good to know. We rarely overnight without shore power and the dual batteries in the truck have a lot of amp-hours - but it takes a lot of cold cranking amps to start that diesel in the morning, too!

Rob

That was always my concern with my former Duramax, man,you need lots of battery(s) to crank that engine over even with two batteries.

[Second_Chance]

ktmrfs wrote:
GM varies. The 6.6 diesels do NOT disconnect power. Gassers vary, I don't recall what my manual said exactly but I believe vary based on if you have the dual battery option or not.

Thanks - this is good to know. We rarely overnight without shore power and the dual batteries in the truck have a lot of amp-hours - but it takes a lot of cold cranking amps to start that diesel in the morning, too!

Rob

[KD4UPL]

SoundGuy wrote:

naturist wrote:
My TT owners' manual says the trailer won't draw power from the TV unless it is running.

Baloney. How would your trailer "know" whether the truck's charge line is active or not, whether the truck is running or not? Anytime the charge line is active the trailer will draw from it.

Good grief. :R

It's called various things: battery isolater, voltage controlled relay, automatic charging relay, Basically if the voltage is above about 13.2 volts it will connect assuming a running engine. When the voltage is less than that it disconnects. I've got one on my camper. It works great.

By the way, unless GM has changed recently the charge line is always hot. However, I see no need to unplug for one night if you have 2 batteries on the camper. But, better safe than sorry I guess.

[Canuck_Travelle]

ktmrfs wrote:
GM varies. The 6.6 diesels do NOT disconnect power. Gassers vary, I don't recall what my manual said exactly but I believe vary based on if you have the dual battery option or not.

I think you are right, my former vehicle was a D/A and someone told me that was so, I should have checked as suggested by Sound Guy.
If it not necessary to unplug it is just another item that one could easily forget....on a bad day. Thanks!

[Canuck_Travelle]

Sound Guy...
"Why guess? Put a voltmeter between Pin 4 (1 o'clock position) and Pin 1 (7 o'clock position) of your truck's Bargman connector then you'll know."

#4= 12 Volt Battery Power (Position 1 O'clock)
#1= Ground (Position 7 O'clock)

Thanks, good idea, will try tomorrow, rain you guys sent to Maritimes coming down now....LOL

[SoundGuy]

naturist wrote:
My TT owners' manual says the trailer won't draw power from the TV unless it is running.

Baloney. How would your trailer "know" whether the truck's charge line is active or not, whether the truck is running or not? Anytime the charge line is active the trailer will draw from it.

Good grief. :R

[samsontdog]

I have never disconnected over night in over 55 years of camping

[naturist]

My TT owners' manual says the trailer won't draw power from the TV unless it is running. But I always disconnect, too. Why take a chance?

[SoundGuy]

The OP has a 2017 Silverado so what Ford or Dodge does is irrelevant. :R The question is whether GM has changed practice from earlier model years (such as my 2005 Avalanche & 2006 Silverado) on which the charge line was always hot. Simple solution as I already suggested - check it with voltmeter.

[mbopp]

My '04 GM's battery line was always hot. Maybe they changed them by '17

[colliehauler]

For a over nite it should not matter. Two house batteries and a truck battery should go a long time.