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Move camper with no battery??

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JoeSaint View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JoeSaint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Move camper with no battery??
    Posted: 18 Mar 2024 at 9:38pm
Hi, I need to move my camper a few blocks to get new tires installed  and I wanted to know if I need the battery in for nay reason? Thanks

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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2024 at 9:53am
The only reason you would need it to tow is for ballast on the tongue. If it's empty, you're probably OK. The brake lights and marker lights come from the tow vehicle.
bp
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Tars Tarkas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2024 at 7:07pm
The battery operates the brakes in the case of a breakaway.  I'd probably risk not having a battery for a few blocks, but technically, it might not be legal. 

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JoeSaint View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JoeSaint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2024 at 8:42pm
thanks
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JR View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2024 at 9:48pm
Also I think the trailer's tongue jack is powered from the battery. But you manually bypass that with a 3/4" socket and wrench.
Jay

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DonRP180 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote DonRP180 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Apr 2025 at 12:35pm
I believe the positive battery cable in the battery box is "hot" when the trailer is plugged into the tow vehicle. Be careful it doesn't touch the negative cable or anything grounded!

Edited by DonRP180 - 11 Apr 2025 at 12:36pm
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Apr 2025 at 2:04pm
You can use a small battery such as that from Walmart that fits a lawn tractor as long as it is 12V. That will provide (limited) power for the breakaway system and will keep the battery cable ends away from trouble.

If you have an electric jack, just plug the connector cable to the tow vehicle and let the vehicle's bigger battery run the jack.


Edited by StephenH - 11 Apr 2025 at 2:07pm
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Apr 2025 at 2:47pm
We bought a lithium jumper pack last summer. They're compact, inexpensive and stay charged for months and months. We used it in Zion in February when a couple in a ran their engine battery on their adventure van flat. It would be a convenient power source for your camper when it doesn't have a battery.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HJH1S41?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
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