Overnight scenerio
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10722
Printed Date: 30 Jun 2025 at 10:02am
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Topic: Overnight scenerio
Posted By: henryv
Subject: Overnight scenerio
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 9:13am
Let's say you are on a trip. You decide to pull into a Walmart parking lot and sleep. Should you disconnect the electric cable or not? If I run say the fan and lights (or tv), can I safely know I can start up in the morning and not need a jump start??? 
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Replies:
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 9:40am
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In my truck (2013 F150) there is no 12 volt power being sent to the pod when the key is off, I have checked. ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 9:47am
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For one night, I left it plugged up. You have the Pod battery plus the TV battery. One night won't discharge both. Initially, I did think about unplugging it though for the very reason you are concerned about. ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 10:39am
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You can measure pin 4 (12 volt charging) at your trailer connector on the truck and if you see 0 volts with the key out of the ignition if you see 12 volts then it will not drain your truck battery. ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 10:46am
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I usually unplug the umbilical from the tow vehicle and then plug it back in in the morning before we leave. I try to park with the nose slightly down if the parking lot is not level and then do some leveling and raise the front of the R-Pod with the jack which means in the morning, I am back there to lower the jack. I plug the umbilical back in when I lower the jack. I don't disconnect the hitch though. If you are not running your refrigerator on battery, you should be safe to leave it connected. Overnight should not kill your battery if all you are using are lights and fan or furnace. My parents used to have a battery isolator which ensured that trailer loads would not kill the TV battery. I know they are still available. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: pngunme
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:03pm
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Tow vehicles charging systems are not all created equal... Some are wired to deactivate (turn off) the charge wire (1 o'clock on the tow vehicle 7-pin socket)... Some leave it on. The only way to know is to test it... You can measure voltage on pin 4 (1 o'clock), but all you really have to do, is take a 12 volt test probe light and touch the probe ground wire to pin 1 (7 o'clock, the ground), while placing the pointy end of the probe on pin 4 (1 o'clock, the charge wire), WHILE YOUR IGNITION IS OFF. If the probe light does NOT come on, your ignition shuts off the trailer charge wire. If the probe light comes on, your ignition does not shut off the charge wire... And you are in danger of accidentally draining your tow vehicle battery. Edit: corrected typo above ... Added NOT... Thanks Keith-N-Dar! ------------- Dianna, Danny & Chester 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River Edition 2002 Toyota Tundra |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:24pm
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"If the probe light does come on, your ignition shuts off the trailer charge wire." Typo: should read
If the probe light does not come on, your ignition shuts off the trailer charge wire. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:37pm
All this tec talk is giving me a headache. Do I disconnect the wire or not?  ------------- |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:48pm
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what vehicle to you tow your trailer with? ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:49pm
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I wouldn't worry about it for one night. ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:53pm
If you trust where you are parking disconnect it. If you may have t make a hasty departure leave it hooked up, or plan to stop soon after you leave to connect it. Either way if you are careful with battery use you will be fine. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 8:43pm
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When we dry camp, which is normal for us, in the National Parks we expect a minimum of 3 days out of our deep cycle 12 volt batteries. Just a few weeks ago, camping at Rocky Mtn. National Park (RMNP) in Colorado, Moraine Campground, elevation 8000 ft. + we used the pods propane furnace quite a bit during the evenings. Lows were 36 - 39 and we still got 3 days out of each battery (we have 2) and they were purchased in March 2011. Still going strong. We take them down to 1/3 S.O.C.before switching to the other battery. So one night at a parking lot? If worried, unplug it. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 9:17pm
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You are almost certainly going to be okay overnight. But whether you unplug or not, be sure the fridge is on propane for the night at least -- if you don't keep it on propane when you're on the move. I've never unplugged for an overnight stop like that and never had a problem. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 9:34pm
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As others have said, I wouldn't worry about it for one night. However, you should know whether your TV disconnects the 12V circuit or not. Ours does, and I've observed it in action. And again, if you're really worried about it, switch the fridge to propane, and you will rest easy. Happy camping! ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |