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05-25-2022, 05:16 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 2
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Leave trailer hooked up overnight?
Hi
I’m very new to rv’ ing ! Can I leave the 25 foot Minilite hooked up to my Chevy Suburban overnight? I have early departure in the am.
Thanks!
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05-25-2022, 05:20 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 72
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Should be fine. I have been told to perhaps unplug the electrical connection. (As long as you don't forget to plug it back in). Evidently some trucks used to (might) allow the trailer to drain the battery. Depends on how the truck sends dc power.
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22 Freedom Express 257BHS
19 F-150 3.5 Max-Tow
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05-25-2022, 05:39 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 18,868
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I’d guess about 80-90% of members who have responded to this question in the past have said it’s OK to remain hooked up. I have many times. A few people have recommended to unhook to make it easier to bolt to a hospital or to move away from a burning trailer.
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FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 68; Booked for 2022 = 41 |
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05-25-2022, 05:53 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 5,759
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We used to do it all the time when we had a trailer. You should try to be fairly level so that you don't end up walking uphill in the trailer. Then we always unhooked the electric from the truck and chocked the wheels. I know, you shouldn't have to chock the wheels, but we weren't comfortable relying on the truck's brakes holding both vehicles in place. Then just reverse everything in the am.
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2015 Dynamax REV 24TB class C
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05-25-2022, 06:33 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 2
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Thank you!
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Sally Minilite 2507s &4 border collies
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05-25-2022, 06:55 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Full Timing It
Posts: 3,267
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fipntdot
Should be fine. I have been told to perhaps unplug the electrical connection. (As long as you don't forget to plug it back in). Evidently some trucks used to (might) allow the trailer to drain the battery. Depends on how the truck sends dc power.
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Since we don't know what TV you have.....most newer trucks will cut the power from the truck 12v lead at the trailer plug when you turn the ignition off. You can check this at the trailer pug with a 12v test light or a multi-meter. First with the ignition off then again with the key on.
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 "PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
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05-25-2022, 08:05 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
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Heck yea, I do it under the same circumstance but I pull the umbilical just to be sure I don't draw down my TV battery. But with 380 watts of solar on the roof and 150 Amp hours of lithium battery might be a bit overreaction but never know.
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2022 Rockwood 2893BS
2019 Ram 2500 Longhorn CTD
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05-25-2022, 08:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Northern Foothils CA
Posts: 963
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Absolutely 
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2021 2205S Rockwood Minilite
2019 F 150 Lariat 3.5 Eco Fx4 Max Tow
Equalizer WDH, 1809 lb payload
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05-27-2022, 07:18 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8
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The night before every camping trip, we bring our Mini-Lite from the storage place to our house and park it along the street. We get the fridge/freezer cooling and load in anything that can stand the weather overnight. Our Tahoe High Country stays attached (hooked the TT up to Durango R/T before, too). Next day when we depart, we just shut off the propane and head out. The fridge keeps food cold enough if just going a couple hours away. We have never had any issue with that approach.
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05-27-2022, 07:48 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 3,963
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I never unhook my 5er for an overnight! If power Available connect that and nothing else for a quick morning get away.
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2022 Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 LB Dually
Edgewater 205 EX 150 Yamaha
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05-27-2022, 08:28 AM
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#11
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Fully COVID-19 vaccinated
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: About 30 miles west of Beantown.
Posts: 3,937
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I will lower my tongue jack to remove weight from my truck then put my stabilizers down.
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2021 Transcend Xplor 247BH
Husky WDH with Sway Control
2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT 6.6L V8 Duramax
Forever in my memory. Forever in my heart.
Laurie J. Wood 3/22/67 - 8/23/19
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05-27-2022, 08:34 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Philadelphia Suburbs
Posts: 119
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timfromma
I will lower my tongue jack to remove weight from my truck then put my stabilizers down.
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We do about the same, and disconnect the 7-pin connector in favor of a 20A connection to the house (if we're leaving the next morning). Keeps the batteries topped up and the fridge cold overnight. Put a sticky note on your steering wheel to remind yourself to reconnect the 7-Pin if you're like me and have CRS.
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2022 Wildwood X-Lite 273QBXL
2019 Nissan Titan XD Diesel
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05-27-2022, 12:19 PM
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#13
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jkoenig24
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Box Elder, SD (formerly NY)
Posts: 939
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Check first to be SURE that when you switch the ignition OFF, that power TO the trailer is also turned off.I didn't know to do that and, on my first night out, the trailer drained the battery of my tow vehicle. Simplest solution is to UNPLUG the trailer umbilical cord. That way, NO power can flow from the tow vehicle to the trailer. In the morning, when you do your "walk around" you should notice that said umbilical cord is NOT connected; you just have to plug it back in. You DO perform a "walk around" at the start and end of EACH travel day as well as each time you stop, don't you? Have a flashlight and your checklist WITH you as you do your walk around. Takes only a few minutes and can save you BIG bucks when you catch a problem BEFORE it bites you.
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05-27-2022, 01:17 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Philadelphia Suburbs
Posts: 119
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoenig24
Check first to be SURE that when you switch the ignition OFF, that power TO the trailer is also turned off.I didn't know to do that and, on my first night out, the trailer drained the battery of my tow vehicle. Simplest solution is to UNPLUG the trailer umbilical cord. That way, NO power can flow from the tow vehicle to the trailer. In the morning, when you do your "walk around" you should notice that said umbilical cord is NOT connected; you just have to plug it back in. You DO perform a "walk around" at the start and end of EACH travel day as well as each time you stop, don't you? Have a flashlight and your checklist WITH you as you do your walk around. Takes only a few minutes and can save you BIG bucks when you catch a problem BEFORE it bites you.
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Gotta do the walk-around, but an extra reminder always helps. Even after doing a walk-around, I've done dumb stuff, like forget to put the hitch pin in, pull out and then have to pull over and re-check it. This is why we cross check on our walk-arounds. It's less likely that you'll forget it, but human error happens.
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2022 Wildwood X-Lite 273QBXL
2019 Nissan Titan XD Diesel
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05-27-2022, 02:18 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 393
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoenig24
... In the morning, when you do your "walk around" you should notice that said umbilical cord is NOT connected; you just have to plug it back in....
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Since we ALWAYS make sure that the trailer brake lights and turn signals are working before hitting the road there is zero chance we'd leave without the cord connected.
I hope folks always check the trailer lights...it would stink to get rear-ended due to no brake lights, eh?
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05-27-2022, 07:36 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sconnell
Thank you!
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All of that advice so far seems solid.
On top of that when I'm going to stay on the ball overnight I usually try to run the jack stand down to take some of the weight off the tow vehicle. Sometimes you can't take much off without throwing yourself out of level but I hate leaving the weight on my truck when I don't have to.
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06-03-2022, 06:31 AM
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#17
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Fully COVID-19 vaccinated
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: About 30 miles west of Beantown.
Posts: 3,937
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PodGeek
Since we ALWAYS make sure that the trailer brake lights and turn signals are working before hitting the road there is zero chance we'd leave without the cord connected.
I hope folks always check the trailer lights...it would stink to get rear-ended due to no brake lights, eh?
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I always do a quick walk around of my trailer whenever I stop. This includes hub temperatures, tires, lights and hitch plus a quick look under the trailer.
__________________
2021 Transcend Xplor 247BH
Husky WDH with Sway Control
2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT 6.6L V8 Duramax
Forever in my memory. Forever in my heart.
Laurie J. Wood 3/22/67 - 8/23/19
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