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06-05-2012, 09:01 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 18
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Camping without a battery?
So I just said a hello in the new member check in and now I am asking my first question.
We recently had our battery stolen while the trailer was in storage . We are wondering if it is worth replacing it or not. We (currently) camp only in state park campgrounds that have electrical service. We thought we needed to replace it for the purposes of powering the breakaway switch. But found out quickly that wasn't the case.
So here are the questions. Does anyone not have a battery on their trailer? Is there something we are missing as to why we would need a battery?
I'd appreciate any insight. Thanks.
__________________
DH '77, DW '77, DD '02, DS '04
Hamilton, MI
Bristow the Yorkie '07
Sheldon the black lab '12
'13 Springdale BHSS294
'10 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6L
E2 Equilizer Hitch
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06-05-2012, 09:04 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Marysville PA
Posts: 65
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This is what I have to secure my Battery! http://www.b-drvbatterylock.com/
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2011 Passport 280BH LE
2009 Dodge Ram 1500
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06-05-2012, 09:06 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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If you have a slideout, you will need a battery! Without one, the slides will not operate and you will have to manually crank them in and out. The battery that was stolen will have to be replaced if you want to use your slides.
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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06-05-2012, 09:09 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 18
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We do not have any slides, so that isn't an issue. (Sorry forgot to mention that.)
__________________
DH '77, DW '77, DD '02, DS '04
Hamilton, MI
Bristow the Yorkie '07
Sheldon the black lab '12
'13 Springdale BHSS294
'10 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6L
E2 Equilizer Hitch
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06-05-2012, 09:23 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Full-timing
Posts: 447
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Famof4
We thought we needed to replace it for the purposes of powering the breakaway switch. But found out quickly that wasn't the case.
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So how do you supply emergency breakaway power to the brakes without a battery?
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06-05-2012, 09:31 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 18
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I had taken the pin and cable out of the switch for storage. We hitched everything up and were ready to pull out but couldn't budge. That was when we realized with the distraction of the battery being gone that the pin didn't get put back in and the breakaway still worked via the truck's power. Now I could be wrong (and this could be what I am missing on replacing the battery) but I am going with if the break away works while hooked up to the truck that is good. And since the breakaway cable is shorter than the cord for the 7-pin that if something were to happen, the breakaway would trigger before the cord came undone.
__________________
DH '77, DW '77, DD '02, DS '04
Hamilton, MI
Bristow the Yorkie '07
Sheldon the black lab '12
'13 Springdale BHSS294
'10 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6L
E2 Equilizer Hitch
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06-05-2012, 09:32 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Full-timing
Posts: 447
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Only for a few seconds... The brakes will release again as soon as the power umbilical from the truck disconnects.
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06-05-2012, 09:33 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 18
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Would the brakes not be powered by the tow vehicle?
__________________
DH '77, DW '77, DD '02, DS '04
Hamilton, MI
Bristow the Yorkie '07
Sheldon the black lab '12
'13 Springdale BHSS294
'10 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6L
E2 Equilizer Hitch
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06-05-2012, 09:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Full-timing
Posts: 447
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Famof4
Would the brakes not be powered by the tow vehicle?
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If the hitch fails and you have no onboard battery then the brakes will be powered only if you have a very strong umbilical cable. Once it disconnects (which will be almost instantly)... no more brakes...
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06-05-2012, 11:59 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: WESTERN,CT
Posts: 2,095
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ONCE YOU LOOSE THE 7 PIN CABLE FROM THE TV YOUR BRAKES ARE OFF WHEN YOU STORE YOUR CAMPER TAKE THE BATTERY WITH YOU AT LET THEM STEAL SOMEONE EALSE' BATTERY IN FACT SEND THEM TO MY HOUSE THE DOGS WILL LOVE THEM.. YUM
__________________
BARNEY AND CHRISTINE
2010 MONTANA 3750FL
2005 DODGE 3500 DUALLY TD
2 RESCUE PUPS: SUSITNA AND CRYSTAL. RIP ALYESKA!
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06-05-2012, 10:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hermiston or
Posts: 128
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yes you do. because, the battery acts as a filter for the electrical system such as the converter. Yes you can run the TT's systems with out it, but it is hard on the equipment.
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06-05-2012, 09:37 AM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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BREAK AWAY means no tow vehicle connected. Trailer will go one way and tv another. By law a battery is required to stop the trailer.
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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06-05-2012, 09:42 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 18
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Thank you all. That was the input I needed. (See I was missing something. )
I guess, I assumed (insert jokes here...) that once the breakaway switch was triggered it would apply the brakes and stop the trailer. I didn't consider the powering of the brakes after said unfortunate event happened.
I guess we will be going battery shopping.
Thanks again-
Matt
__________________
DH '77, DW '77, DD '02, DS '04
Hamilton, MI
Bristow the Yorkie '07
Sheldon the black lab '12
'13 Springdale BHSS294
'10 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6L
E2 Equilizer Hitch
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06-05-2012, 09:43 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Full-timing
Posts: 447
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You could purchase a smaller battery if all you need to do is power the brakes for a short time during an emergency, but you wouldn't save much as a full-sized battery doesn't cost much more and would be useful so you could have lights in case the campground ever lost power, etc... so just replacing the standard battery is probably the best way to go.
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06-05-2012, 09:30 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Famof4
We thought we needed to replace it for the purposes of powering the breakaway switch. But found out quickly that wasn't the case.
I'd appreciate any insight. Thanks.
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I'm very curious as to where you got this information from ?????? Electric brakes need electric from somewhere.
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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