Trailer Phone?

mx4789

Does anyone keep an old/spare smartphone in their trailer? If so, how and what do you use it for?

 I have an old iPhone SE with a cracked screen that I am about to wipe, but then thought there might be a use for it in the tab. 

webers3

I thought about it for a while, and maybe I am not imaginative enough, but I can't think of any reason why you would want an old phone in your trailer. Anyone?

AnOldUR

We use an old SE without service to stream video, news and music using either local Wi-Fi or a hotspot. Also handy to have a backup for Victron devices.

rfuss928

I use an old Android primarily for my Curt ECHO brake controller while on the road. It is nice to have my connected phone available when the old phone is busy with the ECHO. I have found it is also handy for monitoring 5 Victron devices, 5 GoVee temp/humidity sensors, 2 LFP battery BVMs, wifi streaming, and a BT source for a huge music library once at camp.  

jimcenname

I use a spare android phone for streaming music and as a backup for when I drop my primary phone and brick it. It's happened 3 times over 15 years. Once on a road trip. 

mx4789

Oddly enough, my old SE with the cracked screen is that way because I dropped it on my first camping trip.

Everything I do (phone-wise) while camping I can do with my "daily driver".  It would nice to have a backup phone though. One of my fears (although not really) is losing my truck keys. I keep a spare set of trailer keys handy and have a spare key for the truck, but it will only open the door (not start it).

I did just order a Starlink mini to use while camping and that was what got me to wondering about repurposing the iphone SE (no sim card) as the Trailer Phone. 

I stream my own music library (via jriver media center), use bluetooth for the Victron battery monitor, and the propane tank monitor, so that's why I was curious what other people's experiences are.

Thanks everyone for the input!  Any additional input is always welcome.

rh5555

I hid my old phone (charger permanently connected to trailer battery) and run an app on it that lets me get its location.  It's like a very cheap tracker.  Costs me $4 a month.