charge trailer battery while driving

[HBarlow]

It's always fun to jab every now and then... ... ... it makes things interesting! I always enjoy HB's input also. We have all learned or benefited from his posts at one time or another... and I mean that Harvey! That WASN'T sarcastic!

I know you well, Alan. I know when your simply joisting with me or when you are angry and insulting. About 95% of the time you are sane, reasonable, and good natured.

 

[HBarlow]

Well, the adjuster has doubled back on me.
He told me wed the truck and storage fees are mine. That I am responsible for them. I said can store it for free. So I went paid all costs and had it brought to my shop. I was told I can take the steel bumpers if I want them.

Now, he says, they will pay storage and the truck has salvage value. This is what I said up front to him!!

I can store it but not take anything!!!
He said he is looking at about $13-14,000.

Will your insurance company allow you to request coverage on the trailer and pay the premium?

Many of the better companies have a written policy in effect that states that when you purchase a new vehicle you are automatically covered. I've been insured for 35 years by USAA, the huge insurance and financial powershouse that insures most current and former military members. When I purchase a new car or truck I always email in advance and then call from the dealership with the VIN to MAKE SURE I am covered before driving away.

I have occasionally wondered what would happen if a USAA member with less of a track record than mine or insured by another company counted on that policy then destroyed the new vehicle on the way home before calling for coverage.

I am confident that USAA would step up to the plate and provide coverage. I don't know about other companies.

I also don't know if an insured who has had auto or even auto and home coverage for many years and is a policy holder in good standing with a low claims history but goes out and purchases an RV or boat for the first time and destroys it on the way home can expect his insurance company to allow him to purchase coverage retroactively. Evidence that the insured had the intention of requesting coverage would make the case easier to decide.

If, for example, you had contacted your insurer and checked comp and collision rates on fifthwheels before you bought and destroyed it would help.

Sometimes the requirements laid on insurance companies wishing to sell insurance in your state by the insurance commission or whatever regulatory body has dominion in your state will determine what the insurance company is required to do.

 

[Okie-Go]

Harvey, I don't crave attention nor do I wannabe anybody but myself. You are the one that always has something to say. Might be better though to be a wannabe than a used to be.

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey, I don't crave attention nor do I wannabe anybody but myself. You are the one that always has something to say. Might be better though to be a wannabe than a used to be.

In your case, if you live long enough you'll still be a never was and still be as old as I am - if you live that long.

If you don't crave attention why is it that so many of your childish little posts are to insult me? Why is it your business how often I post? If you don't like my posts don't read them or put my name in your ignore list.

You are irrelevant to me and I don't care whether you like me or don't.

 

[Okie-Go]

It is hard not to read your post's. They are all over the place. As I sad before, you always have something to say. Believe me most of the time when I am reading a post or thread when your name appears I stop. It is not that I don't like you, we have never met. It is your arrogance that I don't like. You do care if I like you or not because YOU crave the attention and want everybody to like you with your KIA self.

 

[RustyJC]

The greatest potential danger to us can occur when we pull into a fueling lane at a truck stop or convenience store with our RV refrigerator lighted and some dimwitted leftist or woman leaves a gasoline nozzle unattended and the safety shut off fails, as they do on rare occasions, and a widening pool of gasoline emitting highly explosive vapors in the lane across from your trailer reaches the road side of your trailer.



That combination can result in a massive fire or explosion.

True, but I normally fuel at the diesel fuel islands when towing our 5th wheel.



Rusty

 

[JMetzger]

I run with mine on propane also when traveling but I turn off the refrigerator before I get to the fuel island. Been doing it since 1964 when we bought our first RV.

 

[mwilson]

The greatest potential danger to us can occur when we pull into a fueling lane at a truck stop or convenience store with our RV refrigerator lighted and some dimwitted leftist or woman leaves a gasoline nozzle unattended and the safety shut off fails, as they do on rare occasions, and a widening pool of gasoline emitting highly explosive vapors in the lane across from your trailer reaches the road side of your trailer.



That combination can result in a massive fire or explosion.

I go to the Diesel island so the chances for that are lower, but if I were towing with a gas pick-up that procedure would be on my list.



Right now the biggest concern would be the flash ball of fire coming across the lot at me from the Gas island because some yo-yo self important twenty something couldn't get off his cell phone while filling his tank... .



Mike.

 

[GCroyle]

The OP didn't give us trailer details, and I'm only in my 3rd year with my trailer but I offer the following.



Might want to check if you have a Dometic, get the model and S/N go to their website and check to see if it needed the recall fix for additional sheet metal shrouding at the burner.



TDR, in the last few days just from reading and enjoying the info (but for one member not enjoying the cause for the learning moment, the member that just lost his rig due to fire) I have picked up on the poential fueling island issue with the refer burning as discussed AND I'm investigating the awnings are not included in your policy issue with my agent. Still investigating. Don't think my rigs awnings were "accessories" added later. Maybe more later.

 

[mwilson]

The OP didn't give us trailer details, and I'm only in my 3rd year with my trailer but I offer the following.



Might want to check if you have a Dometic, get the model and S/N go to their website and check to see if it needed the recall fix for additional sheet metal shrouding at the burner.



TDR, in the last few days just from reading and enjoying the info (but for one member not enjoying the cause for the learning moment, the member that just lost his rig due to fire) I have picked up on the poential fueling island issue with the refer burning as discussed AND I'm investigating the awnings are not included in your policy issue with my agent. Still investigating. Don't think my rigs awnings were "accessories" added later. Maybe more later.

In Maine at least you need a seperate rider to cover the awning and anything else that it damages.



I have watched a few people at coastal campgrounds learn that the hard way when the wind came up and flipped the awning up over the roof of the camper.



I have asked to be covered for awning damage on any trailer that I have owned since then.



Let us know what they tell you.



Mike.

 

[jelag]

I've had issues keeping the batteries in my rv charged, and I've run a 8 gauge wire through a 50 amp fuse to the rear of the truck, through the plug, and than rewired the trailer... ...

There is a chart... 100% = 12. 73 90% = 12. 62 80% = 12. 50 70% = 12. 37 60% = 12. 24 50% = 12. 10 40% = 11. 96 30% = 11. 81

This is a static test when the batteries are at rest... mine are always around the 70% rate and we have trouble on the second night out when we dry camp. .

I've found there is an ECM upgrade but haven't had that done yet... and have studied the issue and have found a thermistor to test and attempt to fool the ECM by changing the value of the thermistor that's under the drivers side battery that gives the ECM input into how much it charges.

In addition, even on a good cold morning the charging voltage at the truck batteries is at least a 1/2 volt lower than the old systems that used a mechanical regulator. . on a hot day the charging voltage is at least a volt low... great for the truck batteries, and maintaining the water in the batteries and giving the truck batteries a very long life. . but not great for keeping the battery charged in the trailer...

Hope this helps...

 

[SierraRam]

I am in the camp of running the refrig under way on propane. I have been doing it for 30+ years and have never had an issue. I guess if you drive into a flamable atmosphere you will have a problem but an metor might hit you while driving down the road too.



I always wonder about this so called voltage drob between the truck batteries and the charging connector at the trailer plug. The voltage drop will be based on the current draw through the wire, so if you are driving with charged trailer batteries there will be little to no voltage drop and the truck will easily keep your trailer batteries charged.

 

[jelag]

Sierra Ram... . I checked mine with a digital voltmeter early on and I always had at least a 1 - 1. 3 volt drop at the trailer batteries... not acceptable for keeping them charged... that's why I posted the state of charge information...

If we used a gen set, or ran the truck a lot daily that would be different but we often spend a few days camped on batteries... I've seen a simple 2 cycle engine splined to an automotive alternator, small compact and functional. I've started to build one but am not finished... Just something to provide 30 - 40 amps for 45 min to an hour each day... .

Just my thoughts...

 

[HBarlow]

A built-in Onan generator in the trailer (or motorhome) or a handy portable Honda generator is an ideal solution.

I ordered a 5. 5kw Onan LPG generator when I ordered my HitchHiker. It sure is convenient to open a cabinet door and punch the start button on the generator. It rumbles to life and will power ac lights, electric water heater, microwave, two air conditioners, or my wife's hand held hair dryer although not all at one time. Yes, it really likes LPG if I run two ac units on a very hot and humid afternoon but that's usally only required when stopping after a long day of towing in hot weather.

I am not using the trailer at all now and have not used it much since diesel fuel prices took much of the pleasure out of RV travel. Sadly, it sits parked in my steel building.

 

[richardcoxid]

Concerning the Propane running while driving.



Would you rather have Propane or Ptomine?

 

[mwilson]

Concerning the Propane running while driving.



Would you rather have Propane or Ptomine?

I'll take the propane anyday over that... ... ...



Mike.

 

[DClark]

Charge trailer batteries

I'm with Gonzo. If you want to dry camp on batteries without a generator, then you need a solar panel. I switched to two 6V golf cart batteries and installed a 80W solar panel and I can dry camp indefinitly on battery power. Just took out my old batteries of 10 years. I leave the shore power plugged in all the time at home and have nevere had a problem. I know that everyone will jump all over that but 10 years is 10 years. I just check them with a battery tester fall and spring and top off with distilled water. You can't run your truck enough to charge those batteries and your camping neighbors will run you out if you run that generator or truck too much. Even the quiet ones are still annoying. If you do have to charge your batteries with the generator, carry a 10 amp charger and run that with the generator. Your converter is only a trickle charger and again the neighbors will run you out before you have charged those batteries with the converter. Been there and done that. One other thing, don't mix old batteries with new ones. The old ones will shorten the life of the new ones.

As to the frig running while traveling, I do it also. I know the risks but the alternative is not so great either. It might be wise to shut it off if you have to fuel at an island that also has gas. There are not always diesel only fuel islands when you are out in the boonies.

D Clark