Forum Discussion

Oldskoolsteve's avatar
Oldskoolsteve
Explorer
Apr 28, 2020

Tacoma and okanagon camper wiring

I've been doing a reno on an older Okanagan slide in camper. It will be going on my 2015 gen 2 Tacoma. Needless to say it's "Import size" at about 7 ft long and a very basic model.

My question is about the wiring in relation to the 7 way plug and the wiring in the camper.

The camper wiring is very simple...
Green- running lights
Red- left turn/ brake
Brown- right turn/ brake
White- ground (-)
Black- 12v (+) power to interior and connected to batt.

That's pretty much all I'm needing.

Now the real question is what should the wiring look like in relation to the battery in the camper.

Does the power (+) from the 7 way (the truck) plumb directly to the battery and trickle charge when the truck is running? I don't think its more complex than that?

The power (+) from the truck 7 way then disconnects upon turn off leaving the camper system independent, correct?

Add in my 3 way fridge. Where would the 12v (+) & (-) hp in the 7 way cable?

Forgive the ignorance, it seems very simple...but I don't want to screw it up!

Thanks in advance
Truck Campers
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Apr 30, 2020
    Oldskoolsteve wrote:
    I investigated and it appears the 12 volt+ turns off when the key is off.

    So when the key is off in the truck, the camper would only be powered by the camper battery. And the circuit for the truck is completely open and no feedback or draw can happen to the truck. Correct?


    That's correct.
    If the 12V+ at the trailer plug on the truck goes dead when the key is off, then it is switched off.
    The camper battery will still energize the wiring in the truck back up to wherever the switch is, but it is not continuous to the truck battery.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Apr 29, 2020
    You choose not to inform us where did you measure the voltage or lack of it?
    Like I said above, there are several possible scenarios, but your final conclusion is right. When truck charging goes off, the camper is on its battery and isolated from truck charging system.
  • Oldskoolsteve's avatar
    Oldskoolsteve
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2020
    I investigated and it appears the 12 volt+ turns off when the key is off.

    So when the key is off in the truck, the camper would only be powered by the camper battery. And the circuit for the truck is completely open and no feedback or draw can happen to the truck. Correct?
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Apr 28, 2020
    1. Yes
    2. Have to check, most trucks 12V lead stays hot with the truck off.
    3. Fridge wiring goes from fridge to the fuse or breaker panels, DC and AC. Not directly to the 7 pin.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Apr 28, 2020
    Oldskoolsteve wrote:


    Does the power (+) from the 7 way (the truck) plumb directly to the battery and trickle charge when the truck is running? I don't think its more complex than that? Usually trucks have 30 amp charging wire, so that is more than a trickle. Some campers have built-in battery separators with fuse

    The power (+) from the truck 7 way then disconnects upon turn off leaving the camper system independent, correct? From what I read, only Ford does that. Other brands have no power disconnect

    Add in my 3 way fridge. Where would the 12v (+) & (-) hp in the 7 way cable?
    It goes from camper battery. All you have to do is push the button on control panel
    Forgive the ignorance, it seems very simple...but I don't want to screw it up!

    Thanks in advance

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 21, 2025