Planned modifications to Prairie Schooner....

cpaharley2008 · 06-30-2016, 07:47 PM

Although not hatched, I'm busy at home preparing to become the proud parent of Prairie Schooner, a 2017 Escape 19'. I'm planning on installing this for my trip home from the factory after picking it up. We stop a lot at rest areas at night for naps and I like to be seen, particularly around the big rigs. So I'm installing another 7 pin connector which has the top 2 connectors wired together via a fused wire. I'll mount this on the outside of the storage box by drilling a hole for a flush install. All I have to do then is merely plug in the trailer's power cord, thus illuminating all the trailer lights.
First picture is the package and the next is the Hopkins 7 pin connector, my wire kit and the fuse

cpaharley2008 · 06-30-2016, 07:48 PM

Remember to slip the collar on before connecting the wires, slip down the collar and done.

ThomasG · 06-30-2016, 08:24 PM

This is a great idea. What size (amps) fuse is appropriate?

Steve Clark · 06-30-2016, 09:27 PM

Jim, you should consider a Second Career as a Hand Model! Your cuticles are magnificent!

rubicon327 · 07-01-2016, 08:19 AM

Great idea. This is a good reminder that the trailer should be unplugged from the tow vehicle during extended stops to eliminate risk of drawing down the battery.

Per the ETI Owner's Manual: "When the power cord between the travel trailer and the tow vehicle is connected, the trailer and tow vehicle electrical systems operate as one. The trailer battery is recharged by the tow vehicle’s alternator and when parked, the tow vehicle battery can be discharged by prolonged power usage in the trailer. Consequently, when parked and operating from the trailer batteries, the cord between the tow vehicle and travel trailer should be disconnected to avoid running down your tow vehicle battery."

Cypherian · 07-01-2016, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

Jim, you should consider a Second Career as a Hand Model! Your cuticles are magnificent!

I am not even sure why you know this lol :}

Cypher

MyronL · 07-01-2016, 09:16 AM

Not for nuthin', but.... If the new trailers will have all exterior LED lights I don't see why a disconnect from the tow vehicle is necessary. Even with an overnight at the Flying J what significant electricity draw could there be?

Oh, wait, I get it. If connected to the tow and you want your trailer lights on then the tow vehicle's parking lights would also be on. Never mind.

cpaharley2008 · 07-01-2016, 09:40 AM

You need a second cup of coffee, Myron.....

MyronL · 07-01-2016, 09:49 AM

And park it next to big brother...

C&G in FL · 07-01-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Great idea. This is a good reminder that the trailer should be unplugged from the tow vehicle during extended stops to eliminate risk of drawing down the battery.

Per the ETI Owner's Manual: "When the power cord between the travel trailer and the tow vehicle is connected, the trailer and tow vehicle electrical systems operate as one. The trailer battery is recharged by the tow vehicle’s alternator and when parked, the tow vehicle battery can be discharged by prolonged power usage in the trailer. Consequently, when parked and operating from the trailer batteries, the cord between the tow vehicle and travel trailer should be disconnected to avoid running down your tow vehicle battery."

My F150 shuts off the trailer circuits 15 or 20 minutes after the ignition is turned off. No need to disconnect.

cpaharley2008 · 07-01-2016, 10:31 AM

Does this mean your lights turn off also after 15-20 minutes if left on?

Steve Clark · 07-01-2016, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyronL

And park it next to big brother...

Isn't that amazing! I don't think of our trailers as that small.......until I see our rigs from a distance, among a forest of behemoths.......then I put it in perspective.

Great skies, by the way!

MyronL · 07-01-2016, 10:52 AM

Ya, and in the morning we rose to see another behemoth parked on the other side of us. We were nested. Guess they felt good protecting us little guys. Lucky they never tried opening their slide-outs.

rubicon327 · 07-01-2016, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

My F150 shuts off the trailer circuits 15 or 20 minutes after the ignition is turned off. No need to disconnect.

Maybe so with newer Fords, but as I understand it the existence of a battery isolation solenoid is dependent on manufacturer and even year of the vehicle. To complicate matters, some newer vehicles with supposed battery "rundown protection" will shut off accessories, but still keep the trailer charge line hot. Also anyone who wires up a vehicle without a factory tow package would have a hot charge line with ignition off unless a solenoid was wired in when installed. I guess an easy way to know is to test the black prong on the 7 pin for voltage with ignition off. If someone owns a vehicle that does not have an isolating relay (and would rather not just unplug the cord from the tow vehicle) one can always be added.

Tow Ready Battery Isolation Solenoid Tow Ready Accessories and Parts TR118665

Greg A · 07-01-2016, 12:51 PM

First thing I check on tow vehicle with a multimeter is whether the charge line is hot with key off. Our Nissan Frontier is not live with key off so I can hot stop and leave the 7pin plugged in.

Vermilye · 07-01-2016, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg A

First thing I check on tow vehicle with a multimeter is whether the charge line is hot with key off. Our Nissan Frontier is not live with key off so I can hot stop and leave the 7pin plugged in.

Or get one of these.

cpaharley2008 · 07-01-2016, 02:07 PM

Yep, I carry one of those....

Greg A · 07-01-2016, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Or get one of these.

I actually just got that exact one, Jon. Love it. In the tow kit now.

Patandlinda · 07-01-2016, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg A

I actually just got that exact one, Jon. Love it. In the tow kit now.

Me too ! Pat

Brian B-P · 07-01-2016, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

My F150 shuts off the trailer circuits 15 or 20 minutes after the ignition is turned off. No need to disconnect.

I think that's typical of factory trailer wiring, but details vary. My own wiring in our Sienna shuts off the trailer when the ignition is shut off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Does this mean your lights turn off also after 15-20 minutes if left on?

I don't see a connection. Shutoff logic for the trailer, for the lights, and for accessories are separate features - you could have one, some, all, or none.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Maybe so with newer Fords, but as I understand it the existence of a battery isolation solenoid is dependent on manufacturer and even year of the vehicle. To complicate matters, some newer vehicles with supposed battery "rundown protection" will shut off accessories, but still keep the trailer charge line hot. Also anyone who wires up a vehicle without a factory tow package would have a hot charge line with ignition off unless a solenoid was wired in when installed.

I agree - this is something to be checked out for each individual vehicle. If anyone wires a vehicle themselves (with no factory towing package), they usually put in a shutoff of some sort; if not, they either don't know what they're doing or they have consciously decided that they either want the tow vehicle connected when not running, or that they really want to simplify the system and are sure that they won't have a problem.

Shutoffs can be a relay (or "solenoid") controlled by the ignition switch, or diodes preventing current flow between batteries, or a low-voltage triggered shutoff relay.

You may also like: