Do I need a battery for ONLY towing?

Buckster

Obviously we know we'll need a battery for camping (especially boondocking), but does anyone know if you need a battery to simply tow your camper in order to transport it from one location to another, if it is connected to the tow vehicle with the 7-pin connector?

AnOldUR

Yes! Your emergency breakaway brakes won't work without a trailer battery and the battery disconnect in the on position.

pthomas745

Your 7 pin plug runs a set of wires to the trailer to control lights, etc. One of them is (in theory) a "charge line" from the vehicle to the battery to help charge the battery while you drive.  In practice, the "charging" is not guaranteed from many vehicles for many reasons.

And, like Mr Oldur said, the emergency breakaway brakes need the battery to be on for the brakes to work in the case of the trailer completely leaving the vehicle.  (Look for the break away battery control at the end of the long skinny wire near the passenger side of the tongue.

And, welcome to the Forums.

Here is a thread, with other threads linked, that talks about all this sort of trailer wiring/vehicle charging, etc.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/10472/tab-320-battery-when-driving-hooked-up-on-or-off

Buckster

Thanks for the welcome and responses.  My 7 pin plug does have a "charge line" that helps charge the battery, albeit through a very small amount of amperage.  But it has worked for us on past trips.