Trickle Charge instead of Battery Disconnect?

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Tom N3EQF

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...print/true.cfm

Before we go trying to prove or disprove what we read on the Internet ("...it must be true then"), I am of the belief that if the auto manufacturer spells out a step-by-step procedure for towing the vehicle they designed, I am going to follow their procedure.

In the case of my vehicle, I can see that the transmission is electronically controlled as the dash display tells me if the transmission is "ready". It seems to me that leaving power on the vehicle in any fashion leaves open the possibility of that transmission doing something different than "Neutral" while towing.

Adding an Auto or Manual switch on a main battery lead will satisfy the requirement for little expense compared to the whole towing package. If your aux braking system requires power, that's easy to wire directly to the battery and/or a charging line from the RV.

I don't disagree with following the directions. The reason my system was done this way was because the installers (a very reputable hitch installation dealer) assured me that this was the way. The aftermarket installers located in my local Ford dealer also told me that when they do towbar installs, they do the exact same thing. I probably should have just put my foot down and insisted that they put the other pieces on (the battery switch and the extra direct-wired 12V plug) but we're beyond that point.

As for my specific vehicle, the power is not left on in the vehicle. You start the car, you place the vehicle in neutral, and you turn the car off. There is nothing electrical running at all: no radio, no HVAC, nothing.

As for your last statement, running your power to the aux braking MUST be done from the vehicle, never from the RV. If you were to have a breakaway, the car will be a runaway. There will be no power to apply the car's brakes.

What I will probably have to do (as we are leaving on Friday) is manually disconnect the battery cable and buy one of those inexpensive 12V jump starters. I can leave it in the cab of the car to power the aux braking system and give me piece of mind that things are ok.

Thanks for your input!

[Tom N3EQF]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

As for my specific vehicle, the power is not left on in the vehicle. You start the car, you place the vehicle in neutral, and you turn the car off. There is nothing electrical running at all: no radio, no HVAC, nothing.

As for your last statement, running your power to the aux braking MUST be done from the vehicle, never from the RV. If you were to have a breakaway, the car will be a runaway. There will be no power to apply the car's brakes.

Sorry about the statement regarding the charge line - instead of "and/or" that should have said "with" a charging line on the vehicle's battery.

I understand what you mean about power being "off" but even with the ignition "off" there are still things powered in today's vehicles. Anyway, the message is only to disconnect the battery because "they tell us too".

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Tom N3EQF

Sorry about the statement regarding the charge line - instead of "and/or" that should have said "with" a charging line on the vehicle's battery.

I understand what you mean about power being "off" but even with the ignition "off" there are still things powered in today's vehicles. Anyway, the message is only to disconnect the battery because "they tell us too".

Yeah, since we last talked, I went down to O'Reilly's and bought a $60 car jump starter. It has a 12V output that I can plug the aux brake into. I also went out and practiced disconnecting the battery terminal. It may sound funny to you but at 62, I've never had need to do one!!! Any time I needed a battery, some shop did it for me.

Thanks for the advice. It is truly appreciated.

t

[Tom N3EQF]

Hi "t",

I'm only a couple of years ahead of you, but have unfortunately disconnected many a vehicle battery in my lifetime! Especially living most of my life in Pennsylvania where winters are tough on batteries. It sounds like you have a very good plan now. Safe travels!

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Tom N3EQF

Hi "t",

I'm only a couple of years ahead of you, but have unfortunately disconnected many a vehicle battery in my lifetime! Especially living most of my life in Pennsylvania where winters are tough on batteries. It sounds like you have a very good plan now. Safe travels!

Thanks, Tom! I feel 1000% better doing a little extra work. I imagine I'll get a battery disconnect switch on there this summer to make it go a little quicker, but undoing one bolt isn't going to kill me.

[Smeady64]

We have been towing our car behind a class A for over 10 years. We are currently towing a 2019 Equinox. I use a braking system in the car powered by the power port. I do not charge the battery from the motor home and do not have a battery disconnect. I can tow the car about 7 hours without any issues provided nothing else is running except the brakes. After that amount of time, I crank the car and let it run for about the length of time it takes me to fuel the RV. The only time I've ever had a problem is when my daughter accidently turned on the lights in the toad when she was hooking it up. We were traveling at night and it ran the battery down.

Hope this helps,

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Smeady64

We have been towing our car behind a class A for over 10 years. We are currently towing a 2019 Equinox. I use a braking system in the car powered by the power port. I do not charge the battery from the motor home and do not have a battery disconnect. I can tow the car about 7 hours without any issues provided nothing else is running except the brakes. After that amount of time, I crank the car and let it run for about the length of time it takes me to fuel the RV. The only time I've ever had a problem is when my daughter accidently turned on the lights in the toad when she was hooking it up. We were traveling at night and it ran the battery down.

Hope this helps,

Thanks for the feedback. Do you know if the Equinox calls for you to disconnect?