Drain the TOw vehicle battery when connected and not running?

[Roo122]

I’ve got a 2018 roo 23IKSS and tow with a 2018 Audi Q7. If I leave the electrical connected while parked. Does it drain the TV battery?

[nutdriver]

I think it would most likely drain your TV battery. You could conduct an experiment and leave the trailer connected. Disconnect the negative lead going to your battery and then see if you can use a 12 volt device such as the exhaust fan or 12 volt lighting.

[KyDan]

Most modern vehicles disconnect the battery lead automatically when the ignition key is off.
You can check yours with a 12v test light or a meter.
See the diagram ..... check between ground and the battery terminal.
You want to test between terminal 1 and 4 as shown in the Truck plug show below.
IF your trailer socket on your Audi is factory equipment it's likely off when the key is off. IF it's aftermarket added by dealer or hitch installer it might be on when the key is off.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Most modern vehicles disconnect the battery lead automatically when the ignition key is off.
You can check yours with a 12v test light or a meter.
See the diagram ..... check between ground and the battery terminal.
You want to test between terminal 1 and 4 as shown in the Truck plug show below.
IF your trailer socket on your Audi is factory equipment it's likely off when the key is off. IF it's aftermarket added by dealer or hitch installer it might be on when the key is off.

Most MODERN vehicles might... but most GM trucks don’t. My 2014 GMC is always hot regardless of key position. You should check to be sure as Dan says.

[Flybob]

You will need to check your manual. Some vehicles have a relay in series with the Aux power pin on the bargman. The relay only powers the pin ( TT) when the ignition is on. Many vehicles do not have a relay and this pin is always powered. To check turn the TV then measure the voltage at the Aux pin. If you have power then yes the TT will draw power from the TV when parked.

[wanderingbob]

My Ram is hot all the time . I unplug when stopped !

[KEN9XL]

Thank you for the advice. In all seriousness, I was not aware.
Just coincidence that I unplug TV when I am stopped for a period of time.

Just tested my 2016 GMC PU Truck w/key off & out of ignition, pins 1 & 4 Hot.

Safe Travels All

[MtBiker]

My RAM Promaster Van is hot all the time.

[nayther]

I just unplug as a matter of habit. I know my 1999 Silverado was hot and that was my first 7 pin so just got into that habit. Sometimes I forget if it's just an overnight stop and never had an issue.

[KyDan]

My 04 Silverado was hot all the time.
My 2017 Titan is not. In fact the battery saver on the Titan shuts off radio and cargo lights and most anything else that's on after 15 minutes with the engine off.
Can't even listen to the radio while piddling in my garage for very long for that reason.


That's why we're telling the OP to check with a test light or meter!

[5picker]

Every vehicle is different.
Some disconnect, some don't.

The ONLY way to know for sure is check with a meter or test light.

Some folks don't even realize on some vehicles you actually have to install a relay (supplied by the manufacturer) into the fuse box to get a charge circuit in your tow plug.

Again, every vehicle is different and unless you check it, you'll not know for sure how/if yours works.

[Roo122]

Thanks all. Checked and the Audi power is off when the car is turned off. Good advise not to assume but check, sounds like there are some that do and some vehicles that don’t!

[Lins]

Originally Posted by Roo122

I’ve got a 2018 roo 23IKSS and tow with a 2018 Audi Q7. If I leave the electrical connected while parked. Does it drain the TV battery?

FYI our Tiguan monitors the trailer connector when parked and locked. If it becomes disconnected during that time it sets off the factory alarm. I’m assuming Audi’s are similar.

[Rhumblefish]

Originally Posted by Roo122

Thanks all. Checked and the Audi power is off when the car is turned off. Good advise not to assume but check, sounds like there are some that do and some vehicles that don’t!

Thanks for checking! (One less thing for me to do)

The new TT battery bank is so wildly different than the TV (and all ludicrously expensive), I don't want a fight between the two... because the only sure loser would be me!

Srsly, Roo122, what's your tow setup? I'm on the ball (as God intended), without any WD (audi-verboten) or sway control (baked into the ABS), just a Weigh-Safe hitch to keep my tongue weight and payload on the side of angels.

[Roo122]

I have since moved on to a Ram 1500. But when using the Audi W7, used equalizer WD and sway hitch. Worked like a champ.