Winter Maintenance: Plug or not to Plug?

[Tomolalla]

I have a 19 Escape 2019 model. I live in WA state which has fairly mild and damp winters but freezes occasionally. I'm storing the trailer for at least four months and like to keep a dehumidifier and low amp heater going inside, So I've been plugging into shore power continuously. I have a solar charger but cover my trailer while being stored. I know the two 6V batteries will be charged while plugged in but am I screwing up by keeping it continuously charged for months? Should I disconnect the batteries and use a separate maintenance charger? Can the continual plugged in status be damaging another electrical component ?

[cpaharley2008]

While at home, I leave mine plugged in 24/7/365 without any issues.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

While at home, I leave mine plugged in 24/7/365 without any issues.

Ditto.

[rubicon327]

For any lead acid batteries (like your dual 6V) the stock WFCO 8955 3-stage charger is fine if you want to stay plugged in continually. We did it for many years. If we were talking about lithium batteries then it is a different story.

[Iowa Dave]

We have flooded lead acid batteries. I leave the trailer plugged in whenever it’s parked at home. Throughout the whole year I check the Batteries for water about three times. First thing in the spring say April 1, then mid summer August 1, and finally when we winterize around Nov 1. Each time they need a little distilled water but the water is never down to the plates. To me that’s the only caution with leaving the trailer plugged in all the time on the lead/acid batteries. I’m at 4.5 years on the pair we have now.
Check the connections for being snug with a wrench each time you check the water.
It’s regularly -10F here in the winter and I’ve never worried about a battery freezing or having its life shortened by cold weather as long as it’s charged. Same goes for my mower, tractor etc, and they don’t stay on shore power. I do have a trickle “battery minder” that I use on my boat battery but probably not
necessary.
Iowa Dave

[dfandrews]

To emphasize what Iowa Dave said about flooded cell batteries:

Check the Water.
On our previous battery, there was little space above the plates to the top ring,so I had to add water every 1½ months. Our current battery, a larger one (Group 31), gets it at 2½ month intervals without risk of exposed plates. (The trailer is parked next to our garage, so I occasionally check/monitor the levels when braving the So.Calif. cold (38° this a.m.) to work in the garage. (Edit: let the temp. comments begin!)

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

(Edit: let the temp. comments begin!)

No comment, just rolled my eyes.

I've temporarily finished shoveling snow for today.

Ron

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

... (The trailer is parked next to our garage, so I occasionally check/monitor the levels when braving the So.Calif. cold (38° this a.m.) to work in the garage. (Edit: let the temp. comments begin!)

We are a bit cold here also. Wish I was where you are though!

[Tomolalla]

Great to hear from all you escapees. I can stop worrying about the continuous plugged in situation and just check my water level. Thanks to all that provided comments. Have a healthy and warmer New Year!