Do I need a battery for ONLY towing?

Comments

• Options

  AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,288

  February 2022 edited February 2022

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

  Stockton, New Jersey
  2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
  

  
  

  3 · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
• Options

  pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 3,670

  February 2022

  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
  

  
  

  2017 Outback

  Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  

  0 · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
• Options

  Buckster Member Posts: 62

  February 2022

  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.
  

  2022 T@B 320 CS-S Boondock
  2018 Nissan Frontier 4x4
  SW Ohio
  

  1 · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+