Traveling in the winter with a TT

Most full sized RV refrigerators don't have the 12 volt option. They are 120 or propane. Run the refer on propane while traveling.

The Bargeman Supply "+12V" does not normally have sufficient voltage to charge Trailer Batteries. In modern vehicles, the Alternator contains an electronic controller which adjusts output (Voltage, and therefore Amps) according to the measured "State of Charge" found via the "Sense" wire. For a short time after starting, the voltage WILL be sufficient to charge the batteries - but the "State of Charge" recovers pretty quickly, and the alternator reduces its voltage to a "float" level of 13.5 - 13.8V.

Even if all this voltage could be seen at the Trailer batteries, it's not enough to drive much current - and the batteries will not charge in a reasonable amount of time. But the situation at the Trailer batteries is even worse than that, for two reasons: Voltage Drop in the wiring, and lots of power being consumed by the refrigerator.

Typical RV refrigerators, built using heater-based "absorption" technology, consume 10-15A while running the DC Heater. While the refrigerator tries to draw this power, from both the Trailer batteries and the TV-Bargeman connection, the Voltage at the end of the wiring from the connection wiring by amounts which Internet "Voltage Drop Calculators" will estimate for you. "Voltage Drop" values of 5% and higher are not uncommon when the Fridge activates the heater. When the original "13.5V" drops below the Voltage available from the Trailer batteries, the Fridge will pull power from the Batteries instead:

They are being discharged, rather than charged.

Metzfamily wrote:
Yes we have a location to park it when we arrive with 110 electricity. We pulled it in November to the same location. It was cold inside the TT when we stopped to take breaks. It would be nice if it is ok to run heat while on the road.

Our truck has a 220 Amp alternator so I think it will be able to keep the batteries charged. We have two batteries on the TT.

As long as you can plug in at the destination your pair of batteries will do just fine. No worries.

Metzfamily wrote:
So it is ok to run the heat while pulling the TT?

Yes. Everything is designed to operate in motion.

Your truck won’t do much for charging the camper batteries while enroute. But 2 fully charged batteries wil keep your furnace fan running for a day.

1. Same concept as keeping pipes from freezing while stationary. If you don’t know your RV well enough to know what is heated and what isn’t, that’s the first step.
1A. IF it’s cold enough and you have unheated or exposed piping, it will freeze if not drained or circulated once the temp remains below freezing for a period of time. Temperature dependent.

2. If you need tips about towing in snow and ice, it may be best to not take the trailer.

“Our truck has a 220 Amp alternator so I think it will be able to keep the batteries charged.”

But will your TV and/or TT wiring deliver sufficient amps to the house battery? Wire size? Once your TV starting battery is fully recharged what voltage will your 220 Amp alternator deliver?

Colder then i was thinking. Yea, i might blow the lines out also.

When I tow in winter, I keep the furnace and the water heater turned on. I carry chains that fit the truck and the trailer. Have been fortunate in that I have not had to use them. Some states require chains on one axle on the trailer if they are required on the truck.Think about braking and seeing the trailer coming around sideways in the mirror. Go slow! If the weather gets too bad, wait it out.

jdc is right on. Follow an 18 wheeler or big bus...if you are comfortable going that fast. Personally I woundn’t do this trip now.