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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> The trailer plug, that plugs into my van has a terminal wired to the house battery.
Post Info TOPIC: The trailer plug, that plugs into my van has a terminal wired to the house battery.
Terry and Jo


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The trailer plug, that plugs into my van has a terminal wired to the house battery.
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Now, you didn't have to bring up the "flip two switches and press the button."  It just so happens I remember those.  I also remember the dimmer switch on the floor and the starter "rod" to the right of the accelerator pedal.  And those were in the cars and pickups and trucks.

So, who else remembers all that?  I'll bet a bunch of the folks here are now scratching their head and wondering what I am talking about.

Terry



-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 17th of July 2012 09:17:51 PM

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Terry and Jo

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Class C Boondocker


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We have a travel trailer. The trailer plug, that plugs into my van has a terminal wired to the house battery.

What is the purpose of this connection to the house battery? 

Why would I want the house battery connected to my van?


Now my van does not come with a factory installed trailer package. As a result I am wiring it myself.

  I am tempted to wire the van receptacle to the van battery. This would put the two in parallel, allowing the van to charge the trailer house battery as we are connected. I can see good and bad to that idea.

What is the norm here?

 



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 31ft, 1999 Fleetwood wilderness travel trailer, with one dining room Livingroom slideout
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ya there both old, but it's OK, I'm old too.
Terry and Jo


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I think that the wire to the trailer battery is designed so that it is charged and maintained while the trailer is being towed.  At least every travel trailer or fifth wheel we've ever owned worked that way.

The wiring in your van should be set up for the vehicle's alternator to do the charging.  If your trailer isn't being kept charged that way, I'd check to see that the van's wiring is still set up to make that wire "hot."

Terry



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Terry and Jo

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Lucky Mike


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Terry is correct....the house wire should be connected to the van acc.side of positive or in a manor that it only has power while the key is on......this wire maintains the battery for runnaway breaks if they are electric , it also allows the fridge to run 12 volt durring transport...



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OK, good.

Thank you. I will hook it to acc. circuit.

It's funny you mentioned the key. Some time ago before we bought the TT. We Broke down in the van, half way between here and know where. The only way I got the van re-started was to hot wire it and buy-pass the steering column. That's where the key used to live.

Anyway the van starts like grandpa's old tractor now... I flick two switches and push a button. Varoom! Fires up and is ready to go.

Thank's for the help.
Jim

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 31ft, 1999 Fleetwood wilderness travel trailer, with one dining room Livingroom slideout
1995 Chevy G20, 3/4 ton van
ya there both old, but it's OK, I'm old too.
53 Merc


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Not scratching my head. Had one that the starter was under the clutch pedal. The one under the throttle was the hardest to understand though. Had to be quick to get off the throttle pedal. I have one now that has a key, like almost normal except it is on the dash. Then it is push a button on the left side of the steering wheel. Had it washed at Houston once. Carefully 'splained to attendant how to start it. The ended up pushing it around to the chain. Then they pushed it out to clean windows and wipe down. Five of them watched me get in to leave. I left the door open until after I started it.

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kb0zke


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Ja, I remember those vehicles. I had two cars, both 1962 Ford products, with the ignition switch on the left of the steering wheel. It was fun to let someone else drive my car without telling them where the key went first. I didn't own one, but SAAB had one where the ignition switch was on console, between the seats. THAT must have been a hoot for the uninitiated.

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