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01-31-2017, 03:22 PM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: FL
Posts: 68
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Amperage from tow harness?
Another question came up today while looking into beginner RV things, specifically travel trailers - when you have the trailer hitched and wired to the tow vehicle, how much amperage is usually available to run systems on the trailer? Like can the slide and fridge be operated through power from the tow harness?
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01-31-2017, 06:59 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
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The fridge doesn't operate on DC, and that is what's coming out of the tow vehicle to the trailer, but it does need DC to function.
The fridge will run on LP or AC.
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01-31-2017, 07:06 PM
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#3
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: FL
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd
The fridge doesn't operate on DC, and that is what's coming out of the tow vehicle to the trailer.
The fridge will run on LP or AC.
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That makes sense, but it's lie number one from the dealer. I figured the TT had an on board inverter or something. I'll have to keep a sharper eye on the dealer. What does run on DC from the TV?
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01-31-2017, 07:19 PM
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#4
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MS
Posts: 2,746
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lloyd some of the new ones that Janet is looking at have residentual Refrigerators. They run off of an inverter no LP
__________________
Frank and Janet Henn
2000 Monoco Lapalma
being pushed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Traveling with Rainbow the wonder dog and now with Sunshine the rescue Schnauzer.
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01-31-2017, 07:19 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
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Some RV's do have an onboard inverter. If so equipped, it will operate the fridge if a residential fridge has been installed in it, but I don't know of any entry level models that has the inverter.
The tow vehicle will put a charge in the RV battery and operate the running lights.
What are you thinking of getting for your RV.
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01-31-2017, 07:21 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fhenn
lloyd some of the new ones that Janet is looking at have residentual Refrigerators. They run off of an inverter no LP
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Knowing you and Janet, it's probably not an entry level rig. Or am I wrong on that to.
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01-31-2017, 08:19 PM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MS
Posts: 2,746
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I want a tear Drop that not going to happen
__________________
Frank and Janet Henn
2000 Monoco Lapalma
being pushed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Traveling with Rainbow the wonder dog and now with Sunshine the rescue Schnauzer.
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01-31-2017, 08:30 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 1,715
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lp722
Another question came up today while looking into beginner RV things, specifically travel trailers - when you have the trailer hitched and wired to the tow vehicle, how much amperage is usually available to run systems on the trailer? Like can the slide and fridge be operated through power from the tow harness?
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The fuse for the auxiliary terminal in the vehicle's connection socket is usually in the under-hood fuse panel. It is normally 30 or 40 amps. On my Silverado it is 40 amps. The owner's manual for my Silverado also states:
Quote:
If charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, press the Tow/Haul Mode button, if equipped, located at the end of the shift lever. This will boost the vehicle system voltage and properly charge the battery.
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With a battery in the trailer, the main purpose of this connection is to keep the trailer's battery charged while the trailer's battery powers the 12v equipment in the trailer.
__________________
2013 Silverado 2500HD LTZ CC 6.6L Duramax Diesel
2023 Rockwood 2445WS
Buster, miniature Dachshund
2023: 9 trips, 48 nights in 12 states, 2 provinces, 8120 miles
2022: 3 trips, 18 nights in 4 states, 2352 miles
2019: 7 trips, 43 nights in 6 states, 5336 miles
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01-31-2017, 09:30 PM
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#9
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: FL
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd
What are you thinking of getting for your RV.
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We're looking at a '17 Sunset Trail SS291RK this weekend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavisK
With a battery in the trailer, the main purpose of this connection is to keep the trailer's battery charged while the trailer's battery powers the 12v equipment in the trailer.
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Is the motor for the slide DC? So pretty much just plug-in devices and appliances that need AC/generator power?
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02-01-2017, 06:32 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lp722
We're looking at a '17 Sunset Trail SS291RK this weekend.
Is the motor for the slide DC? So pretty much just plug-in devices and appliances that need AC/generator power?
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Slide will operate on DC. you are correct on the plug in devices.
I have to correct myself on the residential fridge not being installed in the entry level models.
Last fall when we were up north hunting I met a fella that had a small, but brand new camper with the residential fridge. I wondered why he bought it that way because he was dry camping for better then a month up there without electricity, and it didn't have an inverter. He spent more time running for ice then hunting.
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02-01-2017, 07:14 AM
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#11
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: FL
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd
Slide will operate on DC. you are correct on the plug in devices.
I have to correct myself on the residential fridge not being installed in the entry level models.
Last fall when we were up north hunting I met a fella that had a small, but brand new camper with the residential fridge. I wondered why he bought it that way because he was dry camping for better then a month up there without electricity, and it didn't have an inverter. He spent more time running for ice then hunting.
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Thanks! Is it safe to have the fridge running on LP while towing so it'll keep food cool? It seems really not safe. If not you'd just have to keep food in a cooler until you get to your location and the fridge can cool itself down, right?
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02-01-2017, 07:43 AM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
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When ever we hook up and leave, the fridge is running on LP. I always shut it off before we pull in to get fuel. Then turn it on again after fueling and pulling away from the pumps.
There are some that don't do it that way.
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02-01-2017, 08:03 AM
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#13
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MS
Posts: 2,746
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Like Llyod ours is on all of time except when I get fuel
__________________
Frank and Janet Henn
2000 Monoco Lapalma
being pushed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Traveling with Rainbow the wonder dog and now with Sunshine the rescue Schnauzer.
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02-01-2017, 09:32 PM
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#14
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: FL
Posts: 68
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Thanks guys!
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02-02-2017, 09:03 AM
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#15
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 679
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A few notes on this subject. Whether the fridge is using LP or 120VAC to heat the ammonia for refrigeration, it STILL needs 12 VDC to operate the controls. That comes from the Trailer Battery.
The running lights (tail, turn signals) have nothing to do with the trailer battery, that power comes from the tow vehicle.
We always travel with the fridge running on LP. They are designed to do that.
__________________
Marty and Martha
2015 Z-1 211RD
2012 Nissan Titan
Dalzell SC
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02-02-2017, 10:56 AM
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#16
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: FL
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MartyinSC
A few notes on this subject. Whether the fridge is using LP or 120VAC to heat the ammonia for refrigeration, it STILL needs 12 VDC to operate the controls. That comes from the Trailer Battery.
The running lights (tail, turn signals) have nothing to do with the trailer battery, that power comes from the tow vehicle.
We always travel with the fridge running on LP. They are designed to do that.
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Thanks! About how long does 40# of LP last when dry camping if you don't have to run the furnace, but with normal fridge and cooking use? And then how long would it last running the furnace?
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02-02-2017, 11:38 AM
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#17
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: ca
Posts: 574
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lp722
Thanks! About how long does 40# of LP last when dry camping if you don't have to run the furnace, but with normal fridge and cooking use? And then how long would it last running the furnace?
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When staying in the trailer in the low 30s I would go through a 30 lb bottle running furnace and hot water heater a week. It was a 32ft TT with full wall slide
__________________
2015 Redwood 36RL pushing a 2015 Denali DRW
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02-02-2017, 11:54 AM
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#18
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 262
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Davisk is correct about the fuse but make sure it's there and the wire connecting it to the trailer is plugged in. I had that on my 2008 Silverado & the fuse was there but we had to take the box out to find the wire underneath. Fortunately, the 2013 was already attached.
__________________
Al & Linda
2022 GMC Denali 3500HD SRW, Crew Cab, Std bed, 6.6L Duramax, Allisons, PullRite Superglide, Triglide
2011 Crossroads Seville VF35CK11 (sold)
2021 Alliance Paradigm 365RD
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02-02-2017, 11:54 AM
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#19
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 679
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lp722
Thanks! About how long does 40# of LP last when dry camping if you don't have to run the furnace, but with normal fridge and cooking use? And then how long would it last running the furnace?
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I'll go with Woodwalker. We use the auto-switchover on the LP tanks. Using LP for water heat, cooking and fridge, one tank lasts about a week. Add in the heater, and now you're talking 2 or 3 days per tank.
__________________
Marty and Martha
2015 Z-1 211RD
2012 Nissan Titan
Dalzell SC
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02-02-2017, 12:03 PM
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#20
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 262
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We put a LP tank monitor from Mopeka ( Products – Mopeka Products, LLC) on our Seville. It works good but cold weather will sap the batteries (it tells you sensor battery level as well).
__________________
Al & Linda
2022 GMC Denali 3500HD SRW, Crew Cab, Std bed, 6.6L Duramax, Allisons, PullRite Superglide, Triglide
2011 Crossroads Seville VF35CK11 (sold)
2021 Alliance Paradigm 365RD
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