Inside the trailer, and also in the owner's manual, in big bold type, there are dire-sounding warnings that in order for the slide motor to work properly I simply must--under penalty of death, it sounds like!!!--have a full charge on my batteries!!! Emphasis theirs!
So here's my question: if I've dry camped for long enough (in my rig, probably 5-6 days) without being connected even to my tow vehicle, and my battery indicator inside the trailer indicates I'm NOT at a full 12v of charge, can I safely operate the slide??? Or am I skrood???!!!
Alternatively, in such a case, would it work to hook up the trailer to my tow vehicle, turn on the engine, and operate the slide that way?
Or, if I do connect to the tow vehicle, would I need to remain connected for long enough that the tow vehicle recharges my trailer battery to 12v? That'd run DOWN the truck battery, wouldn't it?
Clearly, I'm nervous about letting the battery run down below 12v after I've run the slide OUT, only to find out I won't be able to run it back in!
Part of my concern stems from having problems with the slide motor already, although they were physical (bent brackets) not electrical. I'm already on the second complete slide motor assembly and the trailer is still under its original 18-month warranty! I haven't got much time left if I need to have a 3rd motor put on!!!
Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here?
Thx.
Tom
Our first new used truck and trailer!
2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax/Allison
2008 Nash 26X
Equal-i-zer and Prodigy
Geez, I don't know about yours, but we closed ours on 1/2. We always have a generator when dry camping just in case.
JJ & Sandie
Li'l Jack, Pickles & Bunny the chihuahuas...Chewy, poodle 6/15/95-7/4/08 We will always love you Chooch.
2003 Chevy 2500HD,LT,CC,SB,4x4,Duramax/Allison
2007 Starcraft Homestead 262RKS
I don't know that you would burn out the motor - it just may not run on a battery that's not fully charged or may start and stop halfway in because there's not enough juice in the already run down battery to finish. In that case, you can just use the manual crank to bring in the slide.
With a weak battry the motor will run slow and draw more current and heat up, but hooked to the TV running should pick up the volage enough to safely run the slide in.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
I would not worry too much unless the slide is way slower than usual. For example the motor is probably not continuous duty rated at the load required to move the slide. So it may only have a minute or two before it overheats. With full battery and 20 seconds it is fine. With a low battery and it take 35 seconds might be fine. But super low and pushing for a full minute might be the edge of trouble. Anyway plug into the running TV and bring it in. If you carry jump cable or a jump box use them to boost the trailer battery.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
Keith has it right, if your TT batteries are that low hook up to the TV and with it running bring in the slide.
NCH
2000 Ford F350 4X4 PSD,CC, DRW
4:10's, BTM Muffler, Isspro Gauges,
Coolant Filter,CCV Mod
FTVB , Ford AIS
6.0 Cooler,SCT2 W/DP's 40 tow & 80 econo,Zoodad mod
2005 Keystone Hornet 30BHSS
Reese Dual Cam
Family of 4 saved by Grace!!! MY TRUCK OUR TRAILER
tomseeley wrote: Alternatively, in such a case, would it work to hook up the trailer to my tow vehicle, turn on the engine, and operate the slide that way?
Or, if I do connect to the tow vehicle, would I need to remain connected for long enough that the tow vehicle recharges my trailer battery to 12v? That'd run DOWN the truck battery, wouldn't it?
Tom
When you hook up the tow vehicle and run the engine, the alternator will put out 14.1 volts or there about, and try to recharge the trailer battery. The voltage is coming from the alternator and won't run the truck battery down. Besides, the Tow vehicle is already running so just leave it running for a while and then leave it running while you bring the slides in. You will be fine
Othertonka
2004 Southwind 32VS
2002 CRV Toad
U. S. Gear Unified brake system
Retired Fire Captain, SFD
In a simple elecrical cicuit, power (watts) = amps (i) X volts (e). If the motor is operated at less than the recommended voltage, the amps must increase to satisfy the power requirement of the motor. Higher amps will generate more heat in the motor, which is a major cause of motor failure. That said, I have operated mine when the battery was obviously weaker than a full charge and have had no problems. I would however, take the recommendations of others and hook up to the TV if operating it frequently under these conditins.
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