Dual Batteries

[Tarfu]

My 2002 F-350 and 2002 Sprinter both have dual batteries....I will be going dry camping (for a week) soon and would like to know if I can swap a dead battery from the Sprinter to the truck for charging and full battery to the Sprinter....I realize I will have a charged and dead battery on the trailer and same on the truck, but was wondering if I will take the chance of grenading either of the dead batteries...or any suggestions that may extend battery charges....maybe just connecting the truck and trailer together via towing cable, while ideling...thx for the input....Bill

[chuckster57]

I wouldn't start swapping batteries. First off, I bet the trailer and truck batteries aren't the same size. If tour truck is a diesel, it NEEDS both batteries to be on good shape to turn the starter. Terminals may not be the same either. The trailer batteries may not have the cranking amps needed to start a diesel.

It would be much better to hook up the trailer after starting the truck. Your truck should have a relay that only provides power to the trailer with the key in the run position. With dual trailer batteries, if your not running an inverter to watch TV, a small generator may be the way to go. You could recharge the trailer daily.

[Tarfu]

Thank you my brother.....I didnt like the option of swapping batteries....plugging it in is a much better option.....thanks for the quick reply....any suggestions on a place to fill my fresh water tank in Lompoc, CA?

[chuckster57]

Sorry can't help you there. I'm only down the road from you and we don't dry camp.

[Tarfu]

No worries....Happy Trails....Bill

[PerryB]

Nose the truck up to the trailer and attach jumper cables for about 30 minutes, with the engine running of course. That will charge the trailer batteries significantly more than plugging in the umbilical. I have a fast idle switch (approx.1500 rpm) on my current truck, but in the past I've used a stick between the gas pedal and the seat to get the rpms up for better charging.

[audio1der]

^Best option thus far. Vehicle alternators are designed for topping off batteries after starting,not charging from dead. You may end up with no alternator if you try swapping.
Have you changed your lights to LED to conserve power?

[Tonkatoy77]

You already got your answer, but here are some reasons you don't want to put a dead battery in your truck:

It could kill your other battery

It could take out your alternator

It could take out your glow plug controller

It could smoke your starter

There are others, but this is a good list of why it not a good idea.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ram189]

You don't carry a generator with you??

I would invest in a check 1200 or 1500. Either of those would be enough to recharge batteries if they die. My dad used to carry and 1500 and a 3100 like 15 years ago. He hated the noise of the 3100 so if we were just running lights and TV then he would fire up the 1200 and let it run the lights and charge the batteries with a battery charger plugged in.

With the new trailers and the convertor on them if you hook up to a 1200 or 1500 it will charge the batteries and you probably would never notice it running.

Just another option for you.

As for water I have a 50 gallon rubber bladder that we use when we go dry camping. Keeps from having to haul the trailer around to get water and it fills and drains very easily with 1 hose. Fill it anywhere you can find a faucet to use.