New to towing

2 dogs and us

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2022
Messages
16
Location
Germantown
We have a Freedom Elite Class C and are trying to tow a 2012 Chevy Equinox with a Blue Ox tow package.

However, it keeps killing the battery in the car, even for distances of a 100 miles or less. Also, this last time we tried, the car had a brand new battery.

Any ideas of what’s causing the car battery to be drained?
 
Is the 12 volt charge line working? Use a multimeter to check the charge line contact in the motorhome 7-way receptacle.

If wired properly the receptacle on your towed vehicle should have a fused wire running from the receptacle to your towed vehicle battery.

Many times that is missed by installers.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx
 
Last edited:
They installed a switch so I wouldn’t have to deal with the fuses. Hmmmm.

The procedure for your Equinox is exactly the same as it was for our Sonic. We never used a "charge line" and never had a battery issue.

Does your Equinox have a steering wheel lock? Our Sonic did not so we turned the key to OFF and removed it while towing instead of leaving it in the ACC position and turning "all accessories off". Too easy to miss something.
 
So true. We have to leave a key in the ignition in the ACC position.

Is the “charge line” that thick cable that I thought connected the blinkers, brake lights, etc. between the RV and the car?
 
So true. We have to leave a key in the ignition in the ACC position.

Is the “charge line” that thick cable that I thought connected the blinkers, brake lights, etc. between the RV and the car?

Quote the post you are replying to, to make it easier to follow.

In a 7-way trailer connector there are 7 wires. One of them is the + 12 VDC line from the towing vehicle's battery/charging system that can be used to trickle charge the towed vehicle's battery. It may not have been used in your install.


Also, what braking system are you using?
 
So true. We have to leave a key in the ignition in the ACC position.

Is the “charge line” that thick cable that I thought connected the blinkers, brake lights, etc. between the RV and the car?

Please see the link I posted in #3 above. Read that article and 99% of your questions will be answered.

The "charge line" isn't absolutely necessary PROVIDED you have a strong battery, AND you don't have a significant draw of current while connected... which it appears you do.

So... two options. Either track down the source of the battery drain, OR install a 12v charge line (all of 1/2 hour). Dead batteries in towed vehicles is a common problem... do a search. I don't understand why a charge line isn't a standard part of a tow setup, unless it's not recommended in the towed vehicle manual.

You should disconnect the umbilical cord if stopped for a length of time, like overnight.
 
We have a Freedom Elite Class C and are trying to tow a 2012 Chevy Equinox with a Blue Ox tow package.

However, it keeps killing the battery in the car, even for distances of a 100 miles or less. Also, this last time we tried, the car had a brand new battery.

Any ideas of what’s causing the car battery to be drained?
The blue ox is plugged into the cigarette lighter correct?
If it is it’s draining the better as it constantly powered.
Turn signal and brake lights are also using power.
I put in a charging cable to the vehicle battery supply which solved my battery issue.
 
We have a Freedom Elite Class C and are trying to tow a 2012 Chevy Equinox with a Blue Ox tow package.

However, it keeps killing the battery in the car, even for distances of a 100 miles or less. Also, this last time we tried, the car had a brand new battery.

Any ideas of what’s causing the car battery to be drained?

Check that the connectors are wired correctly.

We had our towbar installed in our 2022 Equinox at a RV Dealer. They also installed a charge line and a separate power connector for the Patriot 3 Braking System.

Our battery kept dying so I did a little troubleshooting during a trip and it turned out that they had connected the charge line from the car's battery to the Brake connection on the umbilical connector. I corrected that but the battery would still die on longer drive days, so I started using a small Jackery battery pack strapped into the driver's seat with the seatbelt to power the brake system.

The Jackery Explorer 240 (16.8 Amp-Hours, 240 Watt-Hours) will last through several long drive days before getting down to 50% charge.

I still disconnect the car from the RV after stopping, even when we're not disconnecting on an overnight, and also turn off the Jackery.
 
Simple fix, have a battery charger installed that will charge your towed vehicle battery from your motorhome while you’re driving, your troubles will be fixed. The charger is about $50, and if you can’t do it yourself, have somebody with the knowledge do it. Good luck.
 
I have a portable light bar connected to the hitch connection. So never worry about battery in the tow vehicle.
IMG_4441.png
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top