Question for our hitch experts:

[fmr.capt.evi]

During periods of extended travel (days/weeks), can hitch remain connected (including w/d bars) without causing harm to any component involved?

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by fmrcaptevil

During periods of extended travel (days/weeks), can hitch remain connected (including w/d bars) without causing harm to any component involved?

I see no reason why not, as long as everything is hooked up within specs in the first place.

I routinely leave mine hooked up during multi day cross country trips.
At times I slacken the WD bars and use the tongue jack to level for and aft.


Ken

[Jammer]

Yes.

The bars will not be damaged by remaining flexed.

Over a period of many months or more, regular maintenance, particularly lubrication, would be something to consider.

[noreen&sal]

I agree. But I disconnect the umbillical. Sal.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by noreen

I agree. But I disconnect the umbillical. Sal.

I do also, especially when not hooked up to shore power. I don't want to drain the TV batteries as well as the trailer batteries.

However I am assuming that if the trailer was plugged into shore power and the umbilical was left in, the converter would maintain the charge on the TV battery as well as the trailer battery as long as there was not a battery isolator in the circuit. Is that correct?
Ken

[newroswell]

Most vehicles produced for a good while now have a relay on at least the 12v feed for the 7-way. When you turn off the key, that line is disconnected from the vehicles electrical system. So no battery drain or charging from 7 way connector. To be sure though, check your 7 way with a voltmeter when the key is off.

[fmr.capt.evi]

Thanks, guys.

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by noreen

I agree. But I disconnect the umbillical. Sal.

Totally onboard with this. Stress vs strain (stress does not alter the physical characteristics of the spring bars).

Modern vehicles are supposed to have a diode to prevent night-time flow from truck to trailer. But in my memory Foiled Again has woken up to a dead tow vehicle by leaving them hooked up.

Unhook the umbilical at night just to be safe. I do.

[JFScheck]

Concur, but I too would disconnect the umbilical so not to drain the auto battery...

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by newroswell

Most vehicles produced for a good while now have a relay on at least the 12v feed for the 7-way. When you turn off the key, that line is disconnected from the vehicles electrical system. So no battery drain or charging from 7 way connector. To be sure though, check your 7 way with a voltmeter when the key is off.

None that I have ever used. I frequently go to the storage lot, no batteries in the AS, no shore power. I plug in the umbilical so I will have lighting to perform some project. Keys are in my pocket. Charge line to trailer is hot at all times.