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Old 07-09-2020, 03:31 PM   #1
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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
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Old 07-09-2020, 03:35 PM   #2
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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)
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Old 07-09-2020, 04:12 PM   #3
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I don't unhitch. Just put the tongue jack and stabilizers down to limit rocking.
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Old 07-09-2020, 04:18 PM   #4
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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.
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Old 07-09-2020, 04:53 PM   #5
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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
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Old 07-09-2020, 04:57 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RGrimm View Post
I just hate leaving all the tongue weight of the truck and all the tension on the bars .....
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.
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Old 07-09-2020, 05:18 PM   #7
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I'll stay hooked up and just lower the tongue to reduce rocking as mentioned above.
X2. That's what we did when we had a tt.
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Old 07-09-2020, 05:36 PM   #8
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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”.
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Old 07-10-2020, 01:48 PM   #9
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Smile

I just leave it hitched for overnight, unless I have to run an errand.
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Old 07-10-2020, 02:07 PM   #10
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Same here.

Hitched (if pretty level); unhitched if not or we need the truck to go out to dinner.
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Old 07-10-2020, 02:58 PM   #11
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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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Old 07-10-2020, 03:45 PM   #12
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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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Old 07-10-2020, 06:57 PM   #13
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Same here.

Hitched (if pretty level); unhitched if not or we need the truck to go out to dinner.
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.
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Old 07-10-2020, 08:47 PM   #14
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I agree with you on that
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Old 07-10-2020, 09:27 PM   #15
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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
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Old 07-10-2020, 09:56 PM   #16
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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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Old 07-10-2020, 10:59 PM   #17
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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.
I've left mine plugged in all night a number of times and have never had a problem.
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Old 07-10-2020, 11:06 PM   #18
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I just leave it as is and ready to roll.
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:25 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Villagerjjm View Post
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlaskaErik View Post
I've left mine plugged in all night a number of times and have never had a problem.
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.
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:43 AM   #20
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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.
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