Travel Trailer Battery

[Golden Life]

Hello - We parked our travel trailer in the storage lot about a month ago.  I didn't know i should have unhooked the battery.  We are going to take it out again this weekend but the battery will probably be dead.  Can I charge it from a 110 outlet in my F-150.  Treating it like shore power or is that too much of a requirement on my truck?  Thank you!

Greg

 

[Alfa38User]

If you have such an 120V outlet in the truck, (unusual, although my 2017 Dodge has that option if factory installed), you need to check the maximum amperage permitted. If feasible, you could then plug in a battery charger. (A battery maintainer/trickle charger won't suffice if the battery is very low). You will require large wires on the 12V side because of the distance etc. Does not sound to practical though.

If your towing equipment is well installed you should be able to charge the battery while underway with 12V from the truck alternator and through the umbilical cord used for brakes and lights etc. I think the requirement is a 7 pin connector, an addition fuse and correctly sized wires though. Again, if the battery is near dead, this won't do the job well.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

You probably can, but I would leave the truck running because the load is going to be substantial, at least initially. I can't guess how much because you haven't told us what charger will be in use, e.g. the trailer's own onboard system, a portable car-type charger, etc., or what battery(s) you have.  A 10A portable charger will draw about 150 watts from the truck outlet but may take several hours to do a full charge.

Be aware that your truck alternator will also charge the trailer battery once the trailer is connected to the truck and the engine running.  I'd partially charge before leaving and let the rest happen while driving (unless its a short trip).

 

[Golden Life]

Thank you both.  I should have been more clear with details.  I'm only looking to get enough juice to raise/lower the hitch to hook-up to my truck and get on down the road.  We'll have a short drive to our camp site where I will have shore power to recharge the battery completely.

I really love this forum as this is all totally new to us!

Greg

 

[Rene T]

Thank you both.  I should have been more clear with details.  I'm only looking to get enough juice to raise/lower the hitch to hook-up to my truck and get on down the road.  We'll have a short drive to our camp site where I will have shore power to recharge the battery completely.

I really love this forum as this is all totally new to us!

Greg

Keep in mind that that battery is also power to the brakes if the trailer ever gets separated from your truck.  So you may want to make sure it's fully charged unless you're going a very short distance and the chances of that happening are near zero percent.

 

[RVfixer]

I don't think I would try using the truck's inverter 120 VAC outlet for a batter charger unless you know the max load for the truck system and the load that will be applied by the charger.  If you just need power to hitch up, back up to the trailer and plug the trailer into the truck's regular trailer connection.  Leave the truck running for a few minutes and with it still running go ahead and hitch up.  You will be getting power to the trailer via the truck.  You will get some charging on the way to the campsite via they truck and can finish on shore power.  If the battery is deeply discharged starting out I would use a battery charger via shore power at the campground rather then depend on the trailer's converter to charge the battery.  Be sure the battery is serviced if it is a wet cell.  Remember, if the battery is dead trailer brakes will NOT be applied in the case of a breakaway!!

 

[SpencerPJ]

One month sitting in a lot. Assuming a fairly charged battery, assuming decent shape, I doubt that your battery will be dead.  Maybe 1/2 full, but I would be surprised if it was dead.

 

[Golden Life]

I hope so.  Its a new travel trailer we just got and took it right out a month ago.  I think we turned off all lights, switches etc before we departed camp. 

I need to get in the habit and checking it on the lot more often! 

 

[alan6051964]

I hope so.  Its a new travel trailer we just got and took it right out a month ago.  I think we turned off all lights, switches etc before we departed camp. 

I need to get in the habit and checking it on the lot more often!

the carbon monoxide detector will always have power unless you disconnect the battery when in storage ?. its always on. as for jacking your trailer when you hook up ?, simple: just back up close enough to plug in the 7-way plug to your truck, then the electric jack will run off your trucks battery while you operate the electric jack, the trailer does not have to be hooked to your hitch in order for the electric jack to work, it just needs 12 volts, which you will get from your truck once you plug in the 7-way plug to your truck . keep in mind, as said^^..the trailer brakes won't work if the trailer comes unhooked from your truck ?, the trailer brakes will only work as long as the trailer is attached to your truck.

 

[SpencerPJ]

I think we turned off all lights, switches etc before we departed camp. 

I need to get in the habit and checking it on the lot more often!

Get yourself a battery Disconnect.  Amazon has various types, but makes disconnecting easy.  Then no problems or surprises.  If you left a light on, anywhere, I guarantee you have a dead battery.  ???

 

[pip]

If the lot isn't far, go grab the battery and throw it on a charger at home for a night. 

We pull our battery, and leave it hooked up to a tender at home.