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07-09-2020, 03:31 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NE Florida
Posts: 374
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Unhitch or not (TT)
On an overnight stop when traveling do you unhitch your TT if your site is relatively level? Do you leave the w/d bars connected or disconnect them rather than leave the pressure on them?
TV: 2019 F150 6.5 bed
TT: 2021 Vibe 21BH, 25'10" long, 6600 lbs loaded for travel, 1000 lb bars.
Note: residential style refrig so level isn't as critical, as with an absorption style.
I just hate leaving all the tongue weight of the truck and all the tension on the bars ..... but I also do not enjoy having to jack the TV and TT up so high to get the bars disconnected to only have to re-connect in the morning.
So what do you do?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
-Russ
__________________
Russ & Arlene
Yulee, FL
2021 Vibe 21BH
2019 F150 Screw, 6.5 bed, 3.5 Twin Turbo EcoBoost
w/ Trailer Tow Package - Yellow Sticker Payload : 1810 lbs.
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07-09-2020, 03:35 PM
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#2
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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If I'm fairly level, I never unhitch for a one nighter.
Never did with the TT and still don't with the 5th wheels we've owned.
As long as I'm within acceptable range for the LP refrigerator (and there is a LOT of leeway there) it stays connected to the TV. (I realize you mentioned residential)
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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07-09-2020, 04:12 PM
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#3
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Enjoying Life
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 919
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I don't unhitch. Just put the tongue jack and stabilizers down to limit rocking.
__________________
2022 Rockwood 2109S
Previous: Rockwood 2608WS, 2608BSD
2006 Durango HEMI
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07-09-2020, 04:18 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,167
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I just put the tongue jack down if I'm running on battery power alone. If I need to hook up the generator, I have to unhitch, as the tongue jack prevents the tailgate from going down all the way.
__________________
2019 Silverado LTZ 1500 6.2L 10 Speed 3.42 Max Trailering Package
2018 Freedom Express 192RBS
2022 Highland Ridge Open Air Lite Range 17BH
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07-09-2020, 04:53 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NE Florida
Posts: 374
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Back in 2012-13, when I had a TT and later a 5th wheel (and I was younger) I always disconnected, even on just an overnighter. I have and will always be in a CG site, so on power. From 2014-19 I had a Class A DP and flat towed my car, so on an overnight, as long as I could get a long enough pull-thru site, I never disconnected the car, I just put it in neutral and auto-leveled. Now that I'm older and have gone back to a towable, I'm attempting to make the travel process easier .
My concern was if the W/D bars would start to loose some of their pressure overtime from spending more time connected under pressure/stress.
Thank you all for your replies. I think at this point, as long as I am reasonable level, I will remain hitched and just drop the tongue jack and stabilizers for my overnight stops.
-Russ
__________________
Russ & Arlene
Yulee, FL
2021 Vibe 21BH
2019 F150 Screw, 6.5 bed, 3.5 Twin Turbo EcoBoost
w/ Trailer Tow Package - Yellow Sticker Payload : 1810 lbs.
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07-09-2020, 04:57 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Yellowknife
Posts: 1,162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RGrimm
I just hate leaving all the tongue weight of the truck and all the tension on the bars .....
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Why? It's designed for that. It bounces down the highway that way and sitting there stationary would be less 'stress' on the truck.
I'll stay hooked up and just lower the tongue to reduce rocking as mentioned above.
__________________
2007 Rockwood 2701SS
2017 Ram 2500 Granite Crystal SAP Laramie 6.7L
2014 Triumph Bonneville. NH Togas, tuned
1953 GMC 9314
1982 GoldWing Interstate
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07-09-2020, 05:18 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 9,097
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lins
I'll stay hooked up and just lower the tongue to reduce rocking as mentioned above.
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X2. That's what we did when we had a tt.
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2015 Dynamax REV 24TB class C
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07-09-2020, 05:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 414
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I'll stay hooked up and just lower the tongue to reduce rocking as mentioned above. Quote As posted above.
I fully support this. In addition, now that I am retired, I leave the TT connected to the TV When I am home. I have a second car for “local” trips. TV has been hooked up for 4 weeks and anticipate 3 more till next trip. Driveway is fairly flat, but, slopes a bit to assure AC condensate runs off. Fridge is level enough to run.
If overnight, TT stays attached, per above post.
From an engineering perspective, metallic “creep” usually only.occurs when the elastic limit of the material is approached/exceeded. I have had no problems with “creep”.
__________________
2018 Surveyor 264RKLE
Retired
Location depends on weather and state plandemic rules.
Most coincidences are carefully planned
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07-10-2020, 01:48 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: California
Posts: 179
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I just leave it hitched for overnight, unless I have to run an errand.
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Chuck& Shar
2018 2715VS
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07-10-2020, 02:07 PM
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#10
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Same here.
Hitched (if pretty level); unhitched if not or we need the truck to go out to dinner.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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07-10-2020, 02:58 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 477
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I leave it hitched if level. If not level I'll unhitch so I can comfortabley put the slide out.
Any time the slide is moved, the trailer should be as level as possible. If not level, there are stresses on the slide that can damage it.
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McCormickJim
2017 GT 31L5
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07-10-2020, 03:45 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 85
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I'm a newbie and was wondering about unhitch for a night or not too. Thanks to everyones input. If fairly level, dont unhook. thanks
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07-10-2020, 06:57 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,263
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769
Same here.
Hitched (if pretty level); unhitched if not or we need the truck to go out to dinner.
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That's the only reason i unhitch if everythings level. Didn't need to go to dinner during my 3 day trip earlier this week. Sure made it easy to get ready when coming home[emoji41]
FWIW when still hitched TT is definitely more stable. No front/rear movement and no need to use X-locks.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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07-10-2020, 08:47 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brownsville
Posts: 1,166
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I agree with you on that
__________________
2019 Flagstaff 26 RBWS
2015 GMC Sierra 1500
2019 camp 17 nites. Bill,Alley and are two kids Sierra,Ivy. 2020 camp 9 nites
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07-10-2020, 09:27 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NE Florida
Posts: 374
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I would say that there seems to be a consensus that if level stay hitched. As TitanMike said, it sure will make leaving in the morning easier.
Thank you everyone for your responses, they have helped me with my decision for overnight traveling stops.
-Russ
__________________
Russ & Arlene
Yulee, FL
2021 Vibe 21BH
2019 F150 Screw, 6.5 bed, 3.5 Twin Turbo EcoBoost
w/ Trailer Tow Package - Yellow Sticker Payload : 1810 lbs.
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07-10-2020, 09:56 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 852
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All of the above with the addition of this:
I always disconnect the umbilical cord from the tow vehicle. If I am not connected to shore power, it will keep the tow vehicle battery from draining. If I am connected to shore power, it protects the tow vehicle from power surges, spikes or outages.
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07-10-2020, 10:59 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,167
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Villagerjjm
All of the above with the addition of this:
I always disconnect the umbilical cord from the tow vehicle. If I am not connected to shore power, it will keep the tow vehicle battery from draining. If I am connected to shore power, it protects the tow vehicle from power surges, spikes or outages.
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I've left mine plugged in all night a number of times and have never had a problem.
__________________
2019 Silverado LTZ 1500 6.2L 10 Speed 3.42 Max Trailering Package
2018 Freedom Express 192RBS
2022 Highland Ridge Open Air Lite Range 17BH
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07-10-2020, 11:06 PM
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#18
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Brake is on left
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 1,095
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I just leave it as is and ready to roll.
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07-11-2020, 07:25 AM
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#19
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Villagerjjm
All of the above with the addition of this:
I always disconnect the umbilical cord from the tow vehicle. If I am not connected to shore power, it will keep the tow vehicle battery from draining. If I am connected to shore power, it protects the tow vehicle from power surges, spikes or outages.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlaskaErik
I've left mine plugged in all night a number of times and have never had a problem.
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Just depends on the tow vehicle.
Some tow vehicle makes/models automatically disconnect (internally via relays that feed the 7 pin plug) when you turn the key off... some stay connected with the key off.
You need to know how YOURS works.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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07-11-2020, 07:43 AM
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#20
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Part-Time Campground Host
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,179
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Wow! I feel like the exception here. For all the days we've camped we have never stayed just one night anywhere. Our rule is three nights minimum.
__________________
Craig & Cath
2018 2902WS Rockwood Ultra Lite (with tons of Mods)
2022 F250 Lariat Super Cab, 7.3 gas w/10 Spd Xmsn
Equalizer Hitch w/4-Point Sway Control
Days camped since 2015(retirement): 1651
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