to stay hitched or unhitched??

[lvcat2004]

again, not necessarily a boondocking question, but if you are parked somewhere overnight, and if you really didn't need to unhitch ( use the tow vehicle), what do you do?

1. nothing, just park--try to find a level parking spot
2. elevated the hitch jack to get some weight off of the car/hitch
3. elevate the stabilizing jacks and make the trailer even while being hitched
4. unhitch and raise all stabilizing jacks

I might get different answers, but if you could tell me pros/cons/reasons for your approach, that would be healpful for a noob, thanks.

[wahoonc]

If I can get it close enough to level I will leave it hitched up, I have on occasion used the blocks on one side to level it up enough to sleep. I seldom use the stablizers for a one night stop, I save those for when we are going to be set up for a while.

Aaron

[azflycaster]

For overnight stopping we:

1. Try to park as level (side to side) as we can and make adjustments as required. We use the lego blocks for side to side leveling.
2. Place the cone under the jack and level the trailer front to back.
3. Unplug the power cord from the trailer to the TV.

In the morning we reverse the steps and can be on the road in just a few minutes.

[Airslide]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

For overnight stopping we:

1. Try to park as level (side to side) as we can and make adjustments as required. We use the lego blocks for side to side leveling.
2. Place the cone under the jack and level the trailer front to back.
3. Unplug the power cord from the trailer to the TV.

In the morning we reverse the steps and can be on the road in just a few minutes.

Exactly what we do...

[Wingeezer]

I leave the trailer hitched if there is room to do so, and drop the tongue jack only if needed to bring the trailer closer to level.

I have a habit of unplugging the tow vehicle electrics only because I am not sure if there is any chance of the plug screwing up my truck's electrics when I plug 110 in to the trailer (although I'm pretty sure it could do no harm!)

I connect water sewer electric and cable tv if present, and that's it - I'm inside for a gin & tonic and a good meal the a quick getaway in the morning!


Brian

[Stefrobrts]

Park it, unplug it from the van, and forget about it. Though I do lay in bed wondering what would happen if someone hot wired the van and took off with us in our trailer. Am I the only one who thinks that way?

[Gene]

We don't unhitch unless we're going to go somewhere with the TV. Sometimes I disconnect the umbilical, but usually don't (memory issue). We do use the stabilizers because we like stability. We try to get the trailer as level as practical because we're on the level.

But, sometimes we have to lift the tongue and the truck quite high on uneven sites and I wonder if the jack can handle the weight. Off hand, I think it's rated at 3,500 lbs. and that doesn't seem like enough under some circumstances. So far the gears in the jack have survived even though they are plastic and look pretty wimpy.

Gene

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Park it, unplug it from the van, and forget about it. Though I do lay in bed wondering what would happen if someone hot wired the van and took off with us in our trailer. Am I the only one who thinks that way?

Steph.

All too many years ago, I had an idea that would solve the problem in your question.

What would you do, if a kit was available, that allowed you to turn the brakes "on", from inside the trailer?

I would think that it certainly would stop any "get away" with someones rig.

A simple switch, easily mounted, a few feet of wire, two crimp terminals, and it would be done.

That would stop a "tow away" even if the thief pulled the umbilical cord.

Andy

[azflycaster]

Pulling the umbilical is just a habit to me. My Tundra drops power to the power line in the 7 pin when the key is turned off.

[Airslide]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Steph.

All too many years ago, I had an idea that would solve the problem in your question.

What would you do, if a kit was available, that allowed you to turn the brakes "on", from inside the trailer?

I would think that it certainly would stop any "get away" with someones rig.

A simple switch, easily mounted, a few feet of wire, two crimp terminals, and it would be done.

That would stop a "tow away" even if the thief pulled the umbilical cord.

Andy

Andy,

Are you talking about something along the lines of pulling the breakaway pin? Wouldnt that be excessive drain on the electrical system? In theory there is nothing thats going to heat up.. just wouldnt want something to short out while im catching my Zzzzz's

[purman]

If I'm pulling out in the morning I will leave it all hooked up. Just unplug the cord from the suv. If I'm staying I will disconnect as it only takes a few minutes.

I try to find a somewhat level spot so I don't have to mess with any jacks.

[TBRich]

The last time we stopped for an overnight (a very nice TX rest area) we just pulled up to the curb, put a lego level block under one wheel (can't stand it when it's unlevel), stayed hitched to the truck, disconnected the the umbilical cord, and did not put down the stabilizers...the truck kept it fairly stable...and enjoyed the evening with dinner and a movie. We had no hookups, so it was really simple...and an easy out in the AM.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by vlamica

Andy,

Are you talking about something along the lines of pulling the breakaway pin? Wouldnt that be excessive drain on the electrical system? In theory there is nothing thats going to heat up.. just wouldnt want something to short out while im catching my Zzzzz's

There's no way you can pull the breakaway cable from inside the trailer.

I was thinking about a simple switch, inside the trailer, that you could flip-on to activate the trailer brakes, should someone attempt to steal the tow vehicle with the trailer still attached.

In effect, that switch would do the same thing as a break away switch.

You would never leave it on, but you would turn it on, if someone was attempting to steal the rig.

Andy

Andy

[moosetags]

If we don't need the TV, we stay hooked-up. We do take the WD off and take the weight off the TV with the hitch jack.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, on a one night stopover, we just pull into a spot and stop where it is the most level area and that's it. No tongue jack, no stabilizers, no blocks, no chocks, and we leave the umbelical cord connected. [not necessary to disconnect on Ford products] But we do connect the water hose and 30 amp cord while in a camp ground. In the morning, disconnect my water hose, and disconnect my power cord and we're down the road in a matter of minutes.

[lvcat2004]

Thanks y'all for the responses. It seems that staying hitched and finding a level spot is the way to go. I think I'll disconnect the 7-pin because I'm somewhat anal like that.

I'm going on my first boondocking with my brand spanking new 09 25' CCD in 2 weeks....I may have more questions after that...

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by lvcat2004

I'm going on my first boondocking with my brand spanking new 09 25' CCD in 2 weeks....I may have more questions after that...

Hi, I'm sure you will, [have more questions] but have a great trip.

[jcanavera]

We just got home from a camp out in Door County Wi. On an overnight on the trip home we were able to get a perfectly level pull through. All I did was to unplug the umbilical, drop the jack stand and then drop the stabilizer jacks (had to push out the slide). Pretty much SOP when we overnight if the site is level.

[Gene]

Richard, glad to hear I don't have to unplug the umbilical on the Tundra since I don't remember to anyway. Maybe it's not memory, or lack of it, just wisdom.

Gene

[Mexray]

I say don't unplug the 7-way cable if you don't have too...just one more thing you don't have to remember to plug in before you leave...

I admit it - I'm a 'KISS' kind of guy...