17b Build Sheet for LarryandLiz

[Mob2014]

I have a tear drop trailer and the battery isolator was a option on the trailer. It prevents the trailer from discharging the car battery when the car engine of off. Without a battery isolator, we were advised to discount the trailer plug when shutting off the car. The battery isolator can be installed on the trailer of car.
I know the electrical system is more sophisticated on the Escape so maybe someone can chime in as to it's usefulness..

[Sandra L]

Is that the same as the cut-off switch?

[Greggo]

Ditto's on the 19'. Very easy to tow, I can't imagine a 17 would be much different. Second axle eases the bumps and is great insurance in case of a flat. You'll like a little extra room in the 19.

Greg

[cpaharley2008]

Battery cut off switch disconnects the trailer from the trailer battery (except for solar) and the battery isolator disconnects your tow vehicle battery from your rv.

[LarryandLiz]

Just heard back from ETI that the toilet shut off valve is a no go. Only available on the 21' as an option.

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Battery cut off switch disconnects the trailer from the trailer battery (except for solar) and the battery isolator disconnects your tow vehicle battery from your rv.

Thanks. That is helpful.

[Chapitre]

Has anyone had the "isolator" installed?

[gbaglo]

Check with your car dealer. I think most vehicles these days already cut off power to the trailer when the ignition is off.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Check with your car dealer. I think most vehicles these days already cut off power to the trailer when the ignition is off.

Likely yes, if they are wired for towing from the factory (which means roughly just most trucks and some SUVs). If not, you are having it added yourself, and you determine this design feature.

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Likely yes, if they are wired for towing from the factory (which means roughly just most trucks and some SUVs). If not, you are having it added yourself, and you determine this design feature.

I do not know if I have this cut-off feature on my 2005 Sienna w/tow package. Will I need to contact Toyota to find out?

[Vermilye]

The Sienna tow package does not include a 7 pin connector, in fact, unless I'm wrong, it does not include wiring for even a 4 pin connector, although there is a harness available that provides 4 pin wiring.

If you have a 7 pin connector (necessary for both brakes & 12V power to the trailer), it must have been a user add on. The best way to tell if they included a solenoid to cut off power when the engine is stopped it to check the voltage between pins 1 (Ground) & 4 (12V Battery). If you measure 12V with the ignition off, no solenoid, if it goes off when the ignition is switched off, you have one.

[Sandra L]

I believe that mine came with a 4 pin connector along with the hitch that had a 1 1/4" receiver. There was no included information regarding the hook-up. I added the 7 pin wiring along with a new hitch only because I needed the WDH and at the time (and maybe even now), there was no WDH that worked with that size receiver.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Sandra L

I do not know if I have this cut-off feature on my 2005 Sienna w/tow package. Will I need to contact Toyota to find out?

Toyota does not offer pre-wiring for any trailer feature on the Sienna (lights, brake control, or battery charging). The factory-installed "towing preparation package" is all durability features (mostly transmission cooling on the 2005), while dealer-installed (or port-installed) accessories include a hitch and a trailer lights wiring package. The wiring package doesn't have any brake control or battery-charging features at all, so if you have either of those they were a custom installation - Toyota won't know anything about any custom installation which may have been done.

My 2004 Sienna's trailer lights wiring package is the dealer-installed accessory. I added trailer brake control and trailer battery charge wiring myself, and I did include an isolation (cut-off) relay so the van and trailer batteries are only connected when the van's engine is running.

[Brian B-P]

Sorry, I posted the above before seeing the last page of posts. I agree with Jon's comments, and Sandra's 4-pin connector and 1-1/4" hitch receiver (and the lack of information) are typical of the dealer-installed accessories.

As far as I know, WD hardware continues to be available only for 2" (or larger) receivers.

[LarryandLiz]

Liz and I headed out to Escape today and signed off on the Build Sheet. Thanks to everyone for your comments and interest. Our build sheet changed because of your help.

I'm still confused about the isolator switch. But it occurs to me that questions like this are why I am happy one of my son-in-laws is a licensed mechanic. I'll ask him what I need.

Thanks again. Larry

[Jubal]

The "isolated" electrical circuit is in the tow vehicle. If the TV does not have a towing package a 12V circuit is added to provide voltage to the trailer (pin 4). A solenoid or relay is turned on or off using voltage from the ignition switch. When the ignition switch is in the on position the solenoid or relay is energized and allows voltage to pass through it. When the ignition switch is off the relay or solenoid is not energized. The purpose is to keep the tow vehicles battery from being depleted by the trailer.
There are different wiring options depending on how your vehicle is equipped.
http://www.etrailer.com/t1-2012_Nissan_Frontier.htm