newb question: unhitching or staying hitched on overnight stops?

[theresa p]

when we overnight at a truck stop or somewhere else,,,we don't unhitch. but we do put down the rear feet--and only sometimes drop the jack at the front..but we don't usually unplug.
and we've never had any difficulties with the car battery in the morning...

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by theresa p

when we overnight at a truck stop or somewhere else,,,we don't unhitch. but we do put down the rear feet--and only sometimes drop the jack at the front..but we don't usually unplug.
and we've never had any difficulties with the car battery in the morning...

I think a lot depends on what you're using off 12v, and how much amperage it takes to crank your tow vehicle. It's my understanding that without an isolator the two batteries are linked in a series and are drawn down by the trailer at the same rate. If you get below your TV's cold cranking amp requirements, it may not start.
FYI my Trillium manual says that the fridge will bleed the batteries dry overnight, of course most people don't power their fridges off 12v unless underway.

Francesca

[bbuehler]

..someone came out of THE CLOSET about 'stealth' camping!!
I've done it a few times and always feel guilty and spend time wondering whether people are going to knock on my door, rousting me out of my secure little EGGIE, in the middle of the night.
I actually had a very positive experience up in Anacortes, at their annual Motor Cycle Poker Run. I parked right smack in the middle of town, near my boyfriend's Motel, on a side street (in front of a nice residential home). As I left the trailer in the morning, the man of the 'real house', came out, walked down to me and asked me NOT what was I doing there, but wanted to know all about my EGGIE. Amen!

...and had to GRIN, when I saw Frederick's reply, with the punch ending of, "Don't ask me why I know it!"
Very cute. Hope to see you two on the trail this summer. Will you guys be going to Bandon? I haven't yet committed...will see if someone cancels.
Barbara

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by bbuehler

..someone came out of THE CLOSET about 'stealth' camping!!
I've done it a few times and always feel guilty and spend time wondering whether people are going to knock on my door, rousting me out of my secure little EGGIE, in the middle of the night.

Here are some previous discussions:
1 Egg-visible
2 Stealth Camping Vehicles

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by bbuehler

Will you guys be going to Bandon?

2011 Bullard's Beach Map
Roll your cursor over A16

[mcbrew]

My stealth camping worked out just fine. I parallel parked on the street and was never bothered. We had a long night out on the town in DC, so I didn't even make it back to the Scamp until about 3:30am. Glad I set everything up in advance so I could just crawl inside, turn on the beater, and jump into bed. I'm just getting ready to put on a pot of coffee.

[Bruce H]

I always use a receiver hitch that gives the ball the proper height. That is when towing on a level road the trailer should be level regardless if the back of the tow vehicle is mashed down. When parking for the night you are searching for a level parking spot. That will take care of the front to back level. If parking on a street the road will be crowned for drainage and the curb side will always be lower. I carry a few short scraps of 2x6 to put down and pull the curb side wheel(s) up on. That gets it level enough to run the refrigerator and sleep in. I overnight a lot and I never unhook. There is never a reason to plus I want to be able to leave at a moments notice if the situation warrants. My tow vehicle is a late model Ford and when I shut the key off it disconnects the vehicle battery from the trailer circuit. If you don't have that you should unplug the trailer to avoid the possibility of not being able to start your tow vehicle the next morning.

[Francesca Knowles]

Hi, Bruce

Just wanted to say:
Thanks!
We veered off topic for a bit...
It's nice that somebody's paying attention!

Francesca

[Alf S.]

Hi: All...After 39 yrs. of "bliss" I'm not sure I could do anything more than "Staying hitched on overnight stops". The 5.0 has a lot of leeway for being on the level and staying "Hitched". Ya gotta love the fifth wheels!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie