Automatic Tongue

[Jfalk13]

Might be a dumb question but when storing trailer remotely, do you need to take battery home so you can charge? Assuming if we don’t, we will have no power to operate tongue when we return to use trailer. Any other way?

[NB Canada]

Get a solar trickle charger

[4TonFerrari]

Might be a dumb question but when storing trailer remotely, do you need to take battery home so you can charge? Assuming if we don’t, we will have no power to operate tongue when we return to use trailer. Any other way?

Hi, I put a small solar panel on the ground in front of our trailer, wired to the battery, to keep it charged when we are not using it.. you can get a 25 watt panel and charge controller pretty cheap now a days ... that would give you 1 -2 amps charging which would keep the battery hot.. Also when you hook up to your tow vehicle, you should be able to have enough power to work the jacks and so forth ... keeping the battery charged either by taking it off or other will definitely extend the service life.. hope this helps

[Hoopy Frood]

Be sure you don't have any power draws before you put it in storage. The "Battery Disconnect Switch" many times only shuts off mostly everything, and sometimes leaves enough connected to drain the battery over a relatively short time. An after market disconnect switch may be necessary, or disconnecting the negative battery cable.

[huntr70]

Worst case, you should be able to plug the trailer into your truck and the power tongue jack should work.

[alias100]

When we were looking at trailers the salesman would connect a lithium jump starter to the battery cables to extend and retract the slides. If it can do that, it should be able to power the tongue jack. Having one in your vehicle is always a good idea anyway.

[morphrider]

For the cost of batteries, I remove them every time I bring them to storage. Quick 5 minutes to eliminate theft and having to shell out money if it would occur.

[sande005]

Depends on what you mean - did you drop it at the remote location with the battery fully charged, and only used it minimally? Then just disconnect wires from one battery terminal. Reconnect when you return. Will be fine for several/many months - depending on average temperatures (colder = longer).
Or, were you boondocking, ran the battery down, and want to leave the trailer where it is? Without a generator to recharge before you leave or a solar setup, then you will have to take it with to recharge, and bring back if you want to use the trailer. Front jack may work on just power from the truck plug without a battery. Test before you leave. Generally the connection can't supply enough amps to operate slides. Or get a second battery kept fully charged you can swap with the one on the trailer.

[Ynot4me2]

Might be a dumb question but when storing trailer remotely, do you need to take battery home so you can charge? Assuming if we don’t, we will have no power to operate tongue when we return to use trailer. Any other way?

It depends on a few things? Length of time storing, weather (freezing or not).... you could just simply disconnect the battery at the battery directly. This would guarantee that there is no parasitic draws. Don't rely on the supplied battery disconnect. You could also add a 10watt solar trickle charger. Or you can bring it home to charge. The latter I would do if storing for 6 month + and freezing weather. If its just for a few months then simply disconnect it at the battery.