Staying hitched during a one night stop

[MVA]

Originally Posted by MyronL

I should mention I have also never ever disconnected the 7 pin from my Silverado those times I never dehitched. Actually, never thought to do it. The truck always started up the next morning. But, of course also never fired up the Cappuccino, either.

Your 2014 Silverado truck has the GM lineage to my old 2001 Yukon, which did disconnect the charging circuit when the vehicle was turned off. You are mostly likely fine. But you know I like to test.

My concern is my current TV. As an aside - I did find out when installing solar on my E19 that my 2015 F150 does not have a diode type charging circuit, thereby allowing current feedback from the trailer to the TV. Hence when I installed solar on my E19, I did include a DC-DC controller that boosts the voltage (for LiFePO4 battery) and does not allow back feeding current.

[cpaharley2008]

Some tow vehicles do not drain the battery while hooked up, others do, we have to disconnect our Ram 1500 as it is live all the time.

[flynfrfun]

The OP didn't specify whether or not a WDH is involved. If you have WDH, do you unhook the bars for overnight stops?

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by flynfrfun

The OP didn't specify whether or not a WDH is involved. If you have WDH, do you unhook the bars for overnight stops?

I don't. Unhooking the bars is half of the total effort of unhitching altogether imo. I leave everything in place except for unplugging the trailer (most of the time).

[JStelly]

For those with a 5.0 do you do anything to take the weight off the tow vehicle? Lower the landing gear?

[emers382]

Originally Posted by JStelly

For those with a 5.0 do you do anything to take the weight off the tow vehicle? Lower the landing gear?

Yes we lower the landing gear so that not only is the weight off the truck but the bed is more stable. I have sometimes turned around in a spot (say Cracker Barrel or Walmart) in order to have the rig slightly downhill then can use the landing gear to raise to level when that won't work if parked uphill.

[AuthorSP]

Slightly off-topic- but what is the issue with being level for the fridge?
Is this an issue for the compressor fridge as well as the stock 3 way?
Thanks!

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

Slightly off-topic- but what is the issue with being level for the fridge?
Is this an issue for the compressor fridge as well as the stock 3 way?
Thanks!

No issue on compressor type. Absorption type depends on level for fluid flow. Dometic spec is within 7 degrees of perfectly level is fine.

[dlakeman]

Originally Posted by MVA

My 2000 F150 did not disconnect the charging circuit when the truck was turned off (I tested it). My 2001 GMC Yukon did disconnect the charging circuit when the truck was turned off (I tested it too). My current TV is a 2015 F150 (seems to have a very low current when TV is turned off). I tried, but could not find any official F150 documentation stating if the charging circuit is turned off when the vehicle is turned off. I have been disconnecting the 7-pin when stopped. Does anyone have either documentation or test results showing it does not need to be disconnected?

I asked my local Ford dealer if my F-150 battery would be drained if I left my 21C connected. Dealer said no. I still disconnect the 7-pin connector even if I don't disconnect my trailer.

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Some tow vehicles do not drain the battery while hooked up, others do, we have to disconnect our Ram 1500 as it is live all the time.

How do we know or find out if we should disconnect from TV to avoid battery drain?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

How do we know or find out if we should disconnect from TV to avoid battery drain?

Use your multimeter to see if your vehicle 7 pin is "hot" while not running, mine is.....

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

... No need to disconnect the 7-pin from the truck, as is shuts down DC supply to the trailer when the truck ignition is off..

this is dependent on the tow vehicle having an isolation relay on the power to the 7-blade., many do, but some don't (in particular, I think it is Dodge/RAM trucks that I have heard do NOT isolate).

[kavm]

Originally Posted by emers382

Yes we lower the landing gear so that not only is the weight off the truck but the bed is more stable. I have sometimes turned around in a spot (say Cracker Barrel or Walmart) in order to have the rig slightly downhill then can use the landing gear to raise to level when that won't work if parked uphill.

Just so I have it right, one lowers the landing gear sufficiently to transfer the weight on to the landing gear but not raise it much more and uncouple the coupler?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by JStelly

For those with a 5.0 do you do anything to take the weight off the tow vehicle? Lower the landing gear?

I have never done this, and have overnighted many a time. Parked is less stressful than driving on the suspension, and the truck is designed for it.

[drjp]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

Slightly off-topic- but what is the issue with being level for the fridge?
Is this an issue for the compressor fridge as well as the stock 3 way?
Thanks!

We try to remain within around 2-4 degrees of level. It’s an issue only with the standard absorption fridges, not the compressor ones.

From Google: Without it the ammonia liquid will not properly flow to the evaporator coils to cool the refrigerator. Having your rig off level not only disrupts the proper flow of the ammonia, but it also allows ammonia crystals to form inside the refrigerator's tubing.” Those crystals can permanently ruin the fridge’s cooling capability.

[UncleTim]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I have never done this, and have overnighted many a time. Parked is less stressful than driving on the suspension, and the truck is designed for it.

Agreed! No reason to take it off or transfer the load. Every reason not to do this too.

Normally our truck delivers a level, even night's sleep. It should be okay to just let the truck handle the weight. Plus leaving in the morning is quick and easy.

[RangerMan]

Originally Posted by MVA

My 2000 F150 did not disconnect the charging circuit when the truck was turned off (I tested it). My 2001 GMC Yukon did disconnect the charging circuit when the truck was turned off (I tested it too). My current TV is a 2015 F150 (seems to have a very low current when TV is turned off). I tried, but could not find any official F150 documentation stating if the charging circuit is turned off when the vehicle is turned off. I have been disconnecting the 7-pin when stopped. Does anyone have either documentation or test results showing it does not need to be disconnected?

Check your owners manual fuse section. If there is a trailer disconnect relay in the fuse panel then power to the 7 pin will be turned off.

[cpaharley2008]

Your multimeter should answer your question........

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by JStelly

For those with a 5.0 do you do anything to take the weight off the tow vehicle? Lower the landing gear?

Only if the front or rear is too high or low, otherwise we don't bother.

Enjoy,

Perry

[JStelly]

I have always unhooked my 5.0 on overnights. After feedback from this group as well as several other internet searches I will reconsider my approach based upon specific campsite circumstances. Thanks!