Staying hitched during a one night stop

[bobwirtz]

Hey all,
We are picking up our new 19 in Sumas and bringing it back to Baltimore this fall. During that trim most of our stops will be for one night only. I would appreciate advice on whether we need to unhitch from our tow vehicle for those overnights.

From my online reading I have gathered that people often stay hitched (although it is recommended to disconnect the power/lights/brake cable) and that many put the front jack down enough to take the trailer weight.

The controlling factor appears to be whether or not the site is level enough to allow the refrigerator to run properly. How level is "level enough"? One post I read recommended that a level show at least half of the bubble within the level center lines.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Bob in Baltimore

[cpaharley2008]

Normally if it is level enough to fall asleep. it is okay for the refer. We try to keep it level when hitched, so when stopped we just unhook the power cord but stay hooked up for ease of departure later.

[tractors1]

Dometic spec is within 7 degrees of perfectly level. Practically speaking, if your bathroom and entry doors don't swing closed/open, it's fine. There are several smartphone apps that let you use the phone as an electronic level. I use this free one - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ihandy-level/id299852753

[davidmurphy02]

Level enough to sleep comfortably, as Jim said, will be well within tolerance for the fridge. You will develop a feel pretty quickly for "level enough" - if the bed feels OK then you're fine. If the trailer feels bouncy when you walk around you can easily just put the stabilizer jacks down while staying hitched up.

[dlakeman]

Your trailer should have bubble levels on the passenger side and the rear. Pull into your camp site. Look at the bubble level on the rear of your trailer. If my bubble is half outside the level line, and I'm only staying one night then I don't level the trailer. If I'm staying at the camp site for more than one night then I'll level the trailer side-to-side. So far, if I leave my tow vehicle attached to the trailer then my E2 Weight Distribution Hitch has my trailer level front-to-back.

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by bobwirtz

Hey all,
We are picking up our new 19 in Sumas and bringing it back to Baltimore this fall. During that trim most of our stops will be for one night only. I would appreciate advice on whether we need to unhitch from our tow vehicle for those overnights.

From my online reading I have gathered that people often stay hitched (although it is recommended to disconnect the power/lights/brake cable) and that many put the front jack down enough to take the trailer weight.

The controlling factor appears to be whether or not the site is level enough to allow the refrigerator to run properly. How level is "level enough"? One post I read recommended that a level show at least half of the bubble within the level center lines.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Bob in Baltimore

Bob you can always put some leveling blocks under trailer or Tow vehicle tires to get closer to level. With our 5th wheel I have even blocked up the back tires of the truck to get leveled. Have fun!

[flynfrfun]

I sleep with my head at the high side if the trailer isn’t quite level on overnight stops. Just move the pillows to the higher side of the bed. More comfortable that way vs head slightly down. If it works out, having the drivers side slightly higher helps the shower water drain a little faster.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by bobwirtz

Hey all,
We are picking up our new 19 in Sumas and bringing it back to Baltimore this fall. During that trim most of our stops will be for one night only. I would appreciate advice on whether we need to unhitch from our tow vehicle for those overnights.

From my online reading I have gathered that people often stay hitched (although it is recommended to disconnect the power/lights/brake cable) and that many put the front jack down enough to take the trailer weight.

The controlling factor appears to be whether or not the site is level enough to allow the refrigerator to run properly. How level is "level enough"? One post I read recommended that a level show at least half of the bubble within the level center lines.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Bob in Baltimore

Ni: bobwirtz... I always hope we stay "Hitched" after a "One night stand". LoL The 5.0TA tows level and for o'er nite if its comfy for us it doesn't affect the fridge IMHO. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by bobwirtz

From my online reading I have gathered that people often stay hitched (although it is recommended to disconnect the power/lights/brake cable)...

Even that isn't a problem with a properly wired tow vehicle, which means that it shuts off power to the trailer when the tow vehicle's ignition is turned off. It's easy to check the tow vehicle's connector (with the trailer unplugged) to see if the +12V circuit goes off when the vehicle is shut off.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Level enough to sleep comfortably, as Jim said, will be well within tolerance for the fridge. You will develop a feel pretty quickly for "level enough" - if the bed feels OK then you're fine. If the trailer feels bouncy when you walk around you can easily just put the stabilizer jacks down while staying hitched up.

My recommendation if you deploy the leveling jacks or the front jack down put a placard or something on the driver’s seat to remind you that they are down so you do not forget to raise them.

[Jim Bennett]

When stopping in the evening for the night we always stay hooked up. We just park and go in the trailer and do whatever until sleep time, then get some sleep, get up and drive away. 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.

We do this all the time while travelling a distance to get somewhere. Truck stops or store parking lots that allow overnighting are most common. The odd time we just fine a side street that has lots of room and would bother nobody.

[Mike Lewis]

It is possible to end up with a campsite that is too short to keep your trailer hitched to your vehicle overnight, but with a little planning you can avoid those. Otherwise it's okay to leave the trailer hitched while you sleep.

[Parker]

We normally leave ours hooked up for overnight stops. Unless the hitch is already too high, I'll use the tongue jack to relieve some weight on the TV. The exception to this is when camped somewhere with few other campers nearby. Then we'll unhook just enough to be able to use the tow car in case of some sort of medical emergency or similar. We're thinking more about that as we get older! My wife is not the best at towing and wouldn't be able to manage the WDH alone to get us unhooked.

[bobwirtz]

Very good point about possible medical emergency! Thanks for sharing that.

[Bea]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

My recommendation if you deploy the leveling jacks or the front jack down put a placard or something on the driver’s seat to remind you that they are down so you do not forget to raise them.

Appreciate this tip. Thank you! -Bea

[UncleTim]

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.

Agreed! We never disconnect the 7 pin. Just did 4,000 miles over three weeks in CA and OR. Only disconnected twice. Mostly level and the refer only reset once (beeping sound, turn it off and back on).

Way to much traveling and not enough nights at the good places, like Coo's Bay. Got lots of attention, everywhere.

[MyronL]

I have overnighted many a time, if not at a WalMart then at a Flying J or similar stop-over place and have never, ever given leveling a thought. For my money more important is the next morning pre-departure walk-around, just in case you forgot you lowered the corner support thingos so at night the bed don't rock and roll.

[Mike Lewis]

I was in Portland, Oregon in early March 2020 when the virus hit. When campgrounds started closing I knew I had to abort my trip to Alaska and head home. I drove six straight days, 500 miles per day, boom-boom-boom-boom-boom-boom. I never unhitched but I might have unplugged at night, I don't remember. Made it home okay.

[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?

[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.