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11-14-2014, 10:46 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 1,075
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Will Trailer Lights Work Without Battery?
I am not near my TT to check for myself, but will the TT marker, brake, etc. lights work without a battery installed?
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Lee and Anne
2016 F250 2WD CC SB XLT 6.2 3,295 lb payload cap.
2014 Salem Hemisphere 282RK 8k lbs loaded, Equal-i-zer WDH, TST 507 TPMS
2021: 35 nights already booked so far
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11-14-2014, 10:55 AM
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#2
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Are you asking about TOWING without a battery installed?
If so, DO NOT do it.
BESIDES being illegal in every state to tow a trailer with electric brakes without a battery, the battery has to be there to power the camper's brake system if the camper became disconnected from the tow vehicle.
While the truck will provide power for the brakes and lights while connected, should your hitch disconnect; the camper will become an "unlit" unguided missile on the highway.
If the accident investigation team determines the camper was not being operated in accordance with state law and there are serious injuries or damage, you could be spending a LONG stretch in the "Pokie".
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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11-14-2014, 10:55 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
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Yes they will when plugged in your truck......
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Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
2019 F350 Ruby Red 6.7l diesel 3.31 axle electronic locker
Yamaha 3000iseb generator:Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C : Eastern Ontario
Nights Camped: 2014 (18) 2015 (18) 2016 (36) 2017 (32) 2018 (42) 2019 (28) 2020 (35)
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11-14-2014, 10:58 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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If you're referring to the camper being plugged into the 7way...yes. Other 12V in the camper, lights, pump etc should work too as long as the 12V wire in the truck's 7 way is working.
Dave
Edit: Lou...good point about needing separate 12V power for the break-a-way switch!
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Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
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11-14-2014, 12:33 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 1,075
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Thanks everyone. I didn't think about the break away system.
__________________
Lee and Anne
2016 F250 2WD CC SB XLT 6.2 3,295 lb payload cap.
2014 Salem Hemisphere 282RK 8k lbs loaded, Equal-i-zer WDH, TST 507 TPMS
2021: 35 nights already booked so far
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11-14-2014, 12:37 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Part Timing It Now
Posts: 3,456
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_Monica
If you're referring to the camper being plugged into the 7way...yes. Other 12V in the camper, lights, pump etc should work too as long as the 12V wire in the truck's 7 way is working.
Dave
Edit: Lou...good point about needing separate 12V power for the break-a-way switch!
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X2
__________________
 "PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
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11-14-2014, 12:43 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 349
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769
Are you asking about TOWING without a battery installed?
If so, DO NOT do it.
BESIDES being illegal in every state to tow a trailer with electric brakes without a battery, the battery has to be there to power the camper's brake system if the camper became disconnected from the tow vehicle.
While the truck will provide power for the brakes and lights while connected, should your hitch disconnect; the camper will become an "unlit" unguided missile on the highway.
If the accident investigation team determines the camper was not being operating in accordance with state law and there are serious injuries or damage, you could be spending a LONG stretch in the "Pokie".
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Thanks Herk!
Good to know. I have pulled the batteries at the house for winter storage then towed the TT to the storage lot knowing the lights and brakes worked from the truck battery.
From now on I'll just bring the batteries back from the lot after winterizing.
__________________
FR Wildwood 22 RKS
2007 1/2 Dodge 2500, Cummins 6.7
Retirement training completed
Currently enjoying second childhood
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11-14-2014, 12:49 PM
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#8
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canonman
Thanks Herk!
Good to know. I have pulled the batteries at the house for winter storage then towed the TT to the storage lot knowing the lights and brakes worked from the truck battery.
From now on I'll just bring the batteries back from the lot after winterizing.
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With out without a battery in you trailer has no effect on marker or running lights regardless.
The battery in your camper only works items in your camper and the breakaway switch.
TURBS.
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11-14-2014, 01:00 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 349
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS
With out without a battery in you trailer has no effect on marker or running lights regardless.
The battery in your camper only works items in your camper and the breakaway switch.
TURBS.
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Understood
The thing I didn't think about was what if it did break away. No Brakes on the camper. Safety chains and all considered it could still be quite a mess. Personally never had a trailer come off the hitch. But I have seen it (boats going to and from Lake Mead) and know it could happen. Just wanted to give a thank you for some info I had not considered.
Love this forum 
__________________
FR Wildwood 22 RKS
2007 1/2 Dodge 2500, Cummins 6.7
Retirement training completed
Currently enjoying second childhood
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11-14-2014, 01:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Weatherford, TX
Posts: 977
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One other point... If you had to do this for some reason... be sure to insulate the battery wiring because voltage will be present there even without the battery...
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J & D in Lovely Weatherford, TX
2016 Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH TT
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4X4 6.7L Cummins
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11-15-2014, 03:21 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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Interesting many transporter run sans battery. Dealers sell you the battery when they pdi the trailer.
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
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11-15-2014, 03:51 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B and B
Interesting many transporter run sans battery. Dealers sell you the battery when they pdi the trailer.
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Most don't care just as they do not care about breaking in the pads on your brake system. Welcome to safe highway system of the good old USA.... 
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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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11-15-2014, 06:30 PM
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#13
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B and B
Interesting many transporter run sans battery. Dealers sell you the battery when they pdi the trailer.
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I am not so sure about this. No transport driver would risk his CDL over a 12 volt battery. Most likely they have one in they use during delivery to the dealership. Then the expensive house battery is installed.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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11-16-2014, 01:12 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,952
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769
I am not so sure about this. No transport driver would risk his CDL over a 12 volt battery. Most likely they have one in they use during delivery to the dealership. Then the expensive house battery is installed.
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Not to hijack this thread, but this is pertinent to the OP's question about towing a trailer sans the battery.
Lou is absolutely correct that the transporters do indeed provide the battery to the RV while towing, if needed.
Here is a link (with all the requirements) and an excerpt from a RV transport company on the electric requirements (in case anyone may be interested in doing it themselves):
RvTransport.comÂ*-Â* Transport Info
"You need an electric brake controller suitable for towing a trailer with six brakes. You need a seven wire "Bargeman" (female side) RV style electrical connector in the truck bed for the fifth wheel units, and a connector near the ball mount for travel trailers. You must have 102" wide towing mirrors, and big sturdy mud flaps mounted to hang about four inches above the ground. An extra large fuel tank is good to have (maximum of 110 gallon, and must have six way electric valve) and a toolbox for your jack and other emergency items, like wheel changing tools. You will need a Standard Group 24 RV battery for the hydraulic jacks on some units and for the trailer break away switch.."
EDIT: another link from Camping Worlds transporters that basically states the same:
http://cwrvtransport.com/contractor/
" breakaway battery: DOT regulations require the battery to be a “wet” cell battery-not dry cell. It can be purchased in Elkhart at orientation."
__________________
 2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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