5th wheel battery charging while towing

[Bravo67]

So were underway and it gets too dark and we are to tired to push on to the next RV campgrounds. So we decide to pull into a rest stop for the night.All batteries in the 5th wheel's information panel indicate a full charge.The truck diesel batteries are charged as well,if we are plugged into the truck,will the order of charged be the 5th wheel's batteries first then the trucks batteries.And if it was the trucks batteries next,would each manufacture GM,FORD,RAM have a different way of protecting the trucks batteries for starting in the morning.Some say don't take the chance just unplugged because they are not sure do to the advance electronic's montoring systems on these trucks today.

[Bama Rambler]

It depends.

First, if the RV pigtail is plugged into the truck and the truck is still powering the 7-way, when you press the battery check button you're checking the voltage of all the batteries connected to the circuit (both truck and the RV batteries).

Some trucks kill power to the 7-way connector when the ignition is off and some don't. On the ones that don't, if you leave the pigtail plugged into the TV and you run the batteries down, you're running ALL the batteries down, truck and RV. On the TV's that do kill power to the 7-way when the key is off, you'll just run the RV battery down and the truck will still start in the morning.

[Bravo67]

Bama Rambler,I concur.I am trying to see if my truck isolates the power from the batteries,after shut down.

[clr]

If the truck is a Ford it does disconnect the power from the 7 pin connector when the truck is not running. Not sure about other brands but may not disconnect when the key is off.
edit; from what I see quickly it does not look like a Ram truck disconnects the charge lead when it is not running.

[DaveSchwartz]

The OP did say that it was a 2016 RAM 2500 TV in his sig.

Probably the easiest way to tell for sure is to, while the 7-way is plugged in and the TV running, activate the trailer's battery disconnect and turn on an interior light. If the light goes out when you turn off the truck then the truck is only supplying the 7-way in engine-run mode.

Personally, I would never leave my trailer plugged into the TV when boondocking for any length of time. There should be no circumstance where your trailer battery can't carry you through the night this time of year.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Bravo67

So were underway and it gets too dark and we are to tired to push on to the next RV campgrounds. So we decide to pull into a rest stop for the night.All batteries in the 5th wheel's information panel indicate a full charge.The truck diesel batteries are charged as well,if we are plugged into the truck,will the order of charged be the 5th wheel's batteries first then the trucks batteries.And if it was the trucks batteries next,would each manufacture GM,FORD,RAM have a different way of protecting the trucks batteries for starting in the morning.Some say don't take the chance just unplugged because they are not sure do to the advance electronic's montoring systems on these trucks today.

NO it doesn't disconnect the two sets of batteries buts stays on.

[Bravo67]

I agree guys my truck will drain down if the 5th wheel batteries were in a very low status.After a full charge I ran the slide-outs waiting a few minutes before each draw on the batteries (2),and then the next slide and so forth.I have all interior lights,toilet flush,and exterior lights as well,no a/c though which could be a bummer hope it is not to hot that nite we park.I saw the battery indicator go from 5 lights down to 4 lights and then it recovered and show 5 lights again on the status panel.My inverter was off since the refridgerator was off,being park in storage.But I plan not to run the refridgerator until we are about 5 hours out from extended camping with hook ups.BamaRambler I was over on TDR and some said it is hot from the connector right on up to the batteries,it is a direct shot,so the PCM is just topping off truck and then remainer goes to 5th wheel.

[Biker]

My Dodge 7-pin is hot with the key off.

[spock123]

My Silverado 3500 had two batteries, one just for cranking the truck


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[NMWildcat]

Most newer truck are supposed to disconnect the 7pin when the key is off if they have been wired correctly and haven't been modified.

I have never trusted this even though I've verified it on my trucks.

I always disconnect the plug from the truck when we stop for overnights without unhooking. Just because I'm weird that way And if I forget to reconnect it the next morning (of course that NEVER happens) the brake controller quickly reminds me.

[wfwilson]

We often stay at truck stops or Walmart when traveling. I always unplug and hang the cord over tailgate. When checking my hitch in the morning to date I have never missed reconnecting. I am a private pilot and know how important check lists are.
Safe travels
Wayne

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by wfwilson

We often stay at truck stops or Walmart when traveling. I always unplug and hang the cord over tailgate. When checking my hitch in the morning to date I have never missed reconnecting. I am a private pilot and know how important check lists are.
Safe travels
Wayne

You check the hitch in the morning?

Just joking......😂

[lbrjet]

I don't know how you figure most newer trucks are supposed to disconnect. As long as I can remember GM's have always been hot. Ford not. Ram not sure, never owned one. HD truck wiring is done at the factory so I assume they are doing it correctly.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Dabmeb]

Our ford is off with the key off, it is also off when running on remote start.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

I don't know how you figure most newer trucks are supposed to disconnect. As long as I can remember GM's have always been hot. Ford not. Ram not sure, never owned one. HD truck wiring is done at the factory so I assume they are doing it correctly.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

I figure they do because both of mine do from the factory... and one is an HD. Don't know what to tell ya.........

[lbrjet]

Have you tested it with a multi meter and the key off?


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

Have you tested it with a multi meter and the key off?


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

Uh, yeah... that's how I know, plus the threads discussing the matter on the duramax forum. Don't you drive a ford? I have noticed in most of the threads you like to argue and stir. I don't feel like playing today.

Have fun!

[Bravo67]

wfwilson,that is a good idea.Because with only 2 cups of joe in the morning and looking for a IHOP with my name on that plate I could easly forget and run down the highway.NMWildcat Guys over on the Cummin's website say overnight connected never ran down their trucks.But they also say you should beware that it is hot from the BCM (BodyControlModule) right to the connector.So for this RamblingMan I say may your trails be long,and your sky blue this summer.Hope to see you all down the road....

[lbrjet]

Just asked a simple question. Done here.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K