Quick Stop - Jacks Down?

[KristenDavid208]

We have a 2012 Flagstaff T12 that we will be taking cross country this year. As part of our journey we will have some quick nights were we just stop to sleep and get right back on the road. My question is - if the camper is hooked to the SUV do we have to put down the stabilizing jacks for those quick stop nights?

[bikendan]

if i'm still hooked to the TV, i never put down the stab jacks.

[Mountainmanbob]

Originally Posted by KristenDavid208

We have a 2012 Flagstaff T12 that we will be taking cross country this year.

if the camper is hooked to the SUV do we have to put down the stabilizing jacks for those quick stop nights?

no need to stabilize
it will be more rocky
but
you will not be doing much
walking in your rig anyway
just pulling over for a little sleep

have a great time
Mountainman

[backpacker3]

I would do whatever makes you comfortable. As for myself, I lower them for over night stops just to make the camper a little more stable when moving around inside. You may want to hook up to your TV and try it with the stabs up and then down and then decide. That's what I did.
Good Luck.

[MtnGuy]

I don't mess with the jacks for a quick overnite stop.

[tentcamper1]

I put them down and chock the wheels I don't care for all the movement. I would try it with and without them down and decide for yourself.

[Mike G]

I put the stabilizers down. I use a cordless drill, so it only takes a minute to do.

[thehamguy1]

Whichever way you decide, I'd recommend unconnecting the wiring plug between the camper and the tow vehicle to keep their batteries separate overnight. This was recommended to me by the dealer, perhaps it's not necessary but I've been doing that (and leaving the jacks up).

[MtnGuy]

Many new tow vehicles have an isolation switch....when the motor is turned off, then the hot wire to the trailer is disconnected. If a vehicle has that, then I don't see where leaving the tow vehicle and trailer hooked up would be a problem. If a vehicle doesn't have that, then there could be a problem with drawing down the TV battery. But there again, that would effectively give you 2 batteries instead of just 1.....I think.

My 2006 F150 has the isolation switch.

[Terier]

I was told by the service department to unplug the wiring plug to prevent over charging.

I'm with everyone else on this for a quick overnight stop - if you need the jacks then lower them otherwise just leave them up. Either way I would still use chocks.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Terier

I was told by the service department to unplug the wiring plug to prevent over charging.

that's doesn't make sense.
for one thing, your tow vehicle will barely trickle charge the trailer's battery when it's running. no way it could overcharge just parked.

now, if as was said, there's no isolation switch, then your tow vehicle's battery could get drained.

but overcharging, nah!

[punkaccountant]

Here's what I do but I don't think there's any right or wrong here:

1. Lower tongue jack to take some weight off the TV
2. Unplug wiring plug (why take a chance it only takes a second to plug it back in)
3. Lower stabilizers

If I'm not unhitching it usually because I want a quicker start the next morning. I usually want to be fresh and have good night sleep. The rocking usually bothers me so that's why I lower the stabilizing jacks. It takes less than 5 minutes to raise everything and get back on the rode the next morning.

[teamgl]

Our first outing in the camper, we had an over night camp at Cabelas. It was drizzling and very cold, so I only dropped the back stabilizer jacks to take the movement out of the camper. When it came time to lay down and fall off to sleep, I noticed the camper would move with the wind and when someone else in the camper moved. It was not easy to fall asleep. so I ran out in the cold drizzle to drop the tongue jack.

3-point stance is much more stable and now we always put down the rear jacks and the tongue jack - even for a quick over nighter on the road.

Takes a few minutes, but well worth the time.

[DDC]

I would think if the trailer is level it would be ok to leave the jacks up but you don't want to leave the trailer of level to long for the sake of the fridge.

[Old car]

We have a trip coming up in June where we will drive very late and stop basically just to sleep. Any affects leaving all the weight on the tow vehicle?

[thehamguy1]

None I've seen unless the parking spot is so angled that you can't get the camper--and thus the refrigerator--somewhat level. When that happens we unhitch. The fridge needs to be fairly level to work right, as mentioned earlier.

[Terier]

Originally Posted by bikendan

that's doesn't make sense.
for one thing, your tow vehicle will barely trickle charge the trailer's battery when it's running. no way it could overcharge just parked.

now, if as was said, there's no isolation switch, then your tow vehicle's battery could get drained.

but overcharging, nah!

I just realize the service guyand I were talking about being connected to hook ups at the cg and not dry camping. Sorry about that.

[buffalohunter]

For me up, for the wife down. When she is along she is the boss, "cuz if she ain't happy, no ones happy" (that being me). Seriously I leave the jacks up for a quick/short stay.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Terier

I just realize the service guyand I were talking about being connected to hook ups at the cg and not dry camping. Sorry about that.

you should have a 3-stage converter and you won't overcharge the battery if you have hookups at a campground.
that's an old way of thinking back when converters were simpler and could overcharge a battery if left plugged in.
only if a modern converter malfunctions, will it overcharge the battery and that is rare.

[Mountainmanbob]

Originally Posted by thehamguy1

The fridge needs to be fairly level to work right, as mentioned earlier.

that is my only concern
after
I had some fridge problems due to
not level towing
once that was corrected all is well

for a fast stop (overnighter)
I leave everyTHING up, hooked up and ready
except
the plug to the truck
it seems but I'am not sure yet
that if left plugged in
my trailer battery drains faster ??
why ?? I'am not sure --- yet that is

been checking with my voltmeter
trying to know exactly
what is going on ??

Mountainman