RE: Battery Plug

[slowpez]

 
Do we need to keep the plug from the PU to the battery to the TV covered up when not in use?  We have been putting a rubber thingy over it while stored in the garage or while in the campground but when we went to hook it up last week, we noticed that the plug was wet.  Dried it off, didn t seem to cause any damage but am not sure it wouldn t eventually.
 Thanks, Susan

[cavman]

 slowpez
Susan,
 
 The reason the cover is there is to keep foreign items out of the connector tabs.  Dirt, sand, salt etc. can prevent the various tabs from making contact with the PU plug and keep the lights or brakes from working properly.  It it gets wet it could cause oxidation which can also prevent proper contact.
 
 When you disconnect, simply let the plug end drap over the battery box so that the connector end is down.
 
 Make sure to always check the connection and whether the lights are working properly.  Test the brakes before you get out of the drive way.  They must work for your safety.

[wynot]

 slowpez
Sounds like Larry understood, but I m lost.
 
 Which connector?  The connector on the TV?  The matching 7 pin on the trailer, or the white connectors going to the battery?

[tlhdoc]

 wynot

 

ORIGINAL:  wynot
 
 Sounds like Larry understood, but I m lost.
 
 Which connector?  The connector on the TV?  The matching 7 pin on the trailer, or the white connectors going to the battery?
 

 
 Me too.  Which plug?[&:]

[slowpez]

 slowpez
Thanks Cavman.  Sorry I wasn t clear.  I thought it was just my DH who never knows what I m talking about.  I was referring to the plug that connects from the PU to the TV and operates the brake lights, turn signals, etc.  We have a battery for our PU so the cable also connects that to the TV when we are driving.  The connector end did not come with a cover.  I found a rubber thing that fit so I was using it to keep the end clean when it wasn t hooked up to the TV.  We discovered moisture on the plug when we removed the cover.  Evidently, from what Cavman says, the cover might not be such a good idea?

[MtnCamper]

 slowpez
Go to the auto parts store and get some dielectric grease. Squirt some in each hole and smear it around, plug it in and out a few times, then just hang it upside down over the hitch or battery. You can cover it if you want to. But really doesn t do a lot. The grease is the trick. For 3 years mine has always made good contact, and works all the time.

[wynot]

 slowpez
OK, the Bargman (official name) connector, the seven pin one, usually black.  Like noted, mine is loaded with dielectric grease (just make sure you never drop it on the ground, it attracts grit like syrup.)  Grease the male tabs in the TV socket as well.
 
 There are plug pockets available for these at RV stores and Camping World.  I just let mine hang down in front of the battery.
 
 You are disconnecting your battery at the white connector, aren t you?  Otherwise your LP detector is running your battery down while you re parked.

[MtnCamper]

 wynot

 

ORIGINAL:  wynot
 
 You are disconnecting your battery at the white connector, aren t you?  Otherwise your LP detector is running your battery down while you re parked.
 

Or put a switch in, so you don t wear out the plug.
 

[tlhdoc]

 MtnCamper

 

ORIGINAL:  MtnCamper
 
 
 

ORIGINAL:  wynot
 
 You are disconnecting your battery at the white connector, aren t you?  Otherwise your LP detector is running your battery down while you re parked.
 

Or put a switch in, so you don t wear out the plug.
 
 

 I just use the connector.  I haven t worn mine out yet, it seems to be in good shape.  Maybe if I were more electrically educated I would put a switch in.
 

[wahoonc]

 slowpez
Tracy,
 Don t worry about the education[8D][] I should add a switch but am too lazy I just unhook the plug too[&:] About half the time I don t even take the battery with me[]
 
 Aaron[]

[wynot]

 slowpez

About half the time I don t even take the battery with me  

 Tell me that you do have the battery for your breakaway switch...and that you re just messing with me.

[wahoonc]

 slowpez
Nope no breakaway switch on our camper...guess it wasn t required in this state. Probably should add one. But the ball is rated at 7500# on a Class IV/V reciever. If the trailer frame breaks I ll sue Fleetwood[8D] Yeah Right!  I did upgrade the safety chains to something a little heavier than comes from the factory. Anybody ever check into that one? Each chain is supposed to be capable of taking the full gross weight of the trailer, most of the ones I have seen are only rated at 1500# or so.[] A full loaded Niagara goes 3000# plus.
 
 Aaron[]

[tlhdoc]

 wahoonc

 

ORIGINAL:  wahoonc
 
 Each chain is supposed to be capable of taking the full gross weight of the trailer, most of the ones I have seen are only rated at 1500# or so.[] A full loaded Niagara goes 3000# plus.
 
 Aaron[]
 

 I bought the links for my chains this year (I have been using the S hooks that came with the chains) and now you have me worried that the chains are not strong enough. [:@] You guys are giving me more to worry about on every trip.[8D] []
 

[mike4947]

 slowpez
Aaron, very few " breakaways"  are cause by major component failure. It s the little things like forgeting to check if the ball is seated. That little screw that adjusts the keeper on the coupler breaking or the keeper itself being misadjusted and just jumps off the ball or else gouges itself into the ball. Saw a really spectacular roll over they determined was caused by the ball actually welding itself to the keeper and when it broke loose so did the TT.
 
 Remember folks; just because your state doesn t require safety equipment isn t your family worth it?
 As for the trailer connector I agree with the dielectric grease and let it hang. Capping it seems to cause water retention and that leads to corrosion.
 As for the TV end; here I go for a cap as it sees a heck of a lot of water, sand, dirt, salt. But also I pack it full of the dielectric grease. You d be amazed at the number of calls I ve gotten this spring on " my trailer lights don t work and I ve tested everything on the trailer" . A simple " now check the plug on the TV"  99% of the time get a return call " thanks"

[wahoonc]

 slowpez
Mike,
 I agree that is usually the small things that cause the biggest problems, but if people pay attention to the details bigger problems can be avoided and or eliminated. I have been towing trailers for over 20 years, all sizes and types I have never had a trailer come unhitched. I won t say it will never happen. I have had wheels fail, axles fail, tires blow out, springs break, frames crack and loads shift; none of these has resulted in an accident. The main reasons being that I always use a tow vehicle that is capable of handling the load and I don t run down the road at 75 mph just because it feels stable. I use common sense when it comes to towing. Most of the accidents that I have seen that involved trailers were excessive speed for the conditions, total ingnorance of all common sense trailering rules. Like overloading and/or total lack of maitenance. I probably should put a break away switch on my camper, but where does it stop...maybe we should have automatic radar avoidance systems installed on every vehicle on the road so it will miss the free wheeling trailers. If people in general would slow down and pay attention to what is going on around them I would be willing to bet a high percentage of accidents could and would be avoided. Case in point, I run a stretch of freeway type highway on the way to the office, the other morning it was drizzling rain, just over the crest of the hill a small pickup had broken down in the left lane and I do mean IN the LANE! The truck was visible from about 1/4 to 1/2 mile away when you got up closer it disapeared behind the crest of the hill, care to guess how many cars passed me and plowed in to the melee? Try 4, this was after I had seen the truck moved over to the left lane put my flashers on and was slowing down in an attempt to help warn other people. Cars were passing me on the right at over 70 mph and giving me the one finger salute, whipping back into the left lane and into the pile up. Fortunately no one was killed, but there were some serious injuries. OBTW the truck that broke down? Engine seized...no oil! Nuff  said. You can t legislate responsiblity! Or outlaw stupidity!
 
 Aaron[]