To unhitch or not to unhitch

[KenNSabine]

I am new to the idea of boondocking but intend to be heading out with my 25ft Classic pulled by a Tundra next week and will be making some overnight boondocking stops on our way. My question is - can the AS stay attached to the TV overnight or should I be unhitching every time , I do use a WD hitch
Thx for any advice anyone shares

[OTRA15]

If you can get the trailer level, staying hitched is OK, but be sure to disconnect the umbilical cord to the tow vehicle. In some rigs, the trailer can drain the TV batteries.

If you have to use the tongue jack to level fore and aft, be sure to retract it before you take off in the morning!

Same for the stabilizer jacks, if you lower them to keep the trailer steady overnight.

Have fun!

[brokeboater]

I typically stay hitched if I can. About the only time I unhitch is if I can't get the front of the trailer low enough to suit my needs.

[Goin camping]

About all we do is boondocks and I only unhitch if I want to use the truck to go somewhere. Otherwise it all says hitched until we get home.

[Bill M.]

I also stay hitched and plugged in if the trailer is level front to back. If there is no power that is all I do. If power I just plug in and still leave it all hooked up. Maybe this will not work for every TV but it does for mine. I pull the trailer up on the leggo like blocks to level side by side or to raise the rear. I do not use the stabilizers because I know I will forget them. If necessary I have used the trailer jack to bring the front up. If I do that I put a leveling block on the steering wheel to remind me. On a trip out to the west I will generally stay hitched the whole way for 5 to 7 days or so unless we want to do some exploring at a site along the way. Generally when camping I find it both cheaper and faster overall to just stay at private campgrounds right along the way than to drive around looking for a boon docking site or a forest service campground. Experience has taught me that 10 to 15 miles to the gallon and an hours round trip takes the savings edge off of a low cost campsite pretty darn fast. I often stop for lunch and decide how much further we want to travel and make a reservation online at that time. I dump every 5 days or so at a dump station or if we are in a dump site when the time comes. I do not think being hitched sitting still is hurtful to the suspension or WD system. I am not over payload but I doubt if that makes a difference. Unless it is for 6 months or so and probably not then. I knew one couple that said the stored their rig in a barn hitched. He was a mechanical engineer at a very high level in management.

[azflycaster]

We leave the trailer attached for overnight stops. We get level from side to side and adjust front to back with the hitch jack. No stabilizers and since you have a Tundra, you can leave the 7 pin cable attached. The truck disconnects the electric when the ignition is turned off...

[banderabob]

We stay connected except for the umbilical, though we usually stick a block of wood under the jack and raise it just enough to take off some of the pressure on the WD.

[banderabob]

We stay connected except for the umbilical, though we usually stick a block of wood under the jack and raise it just enough to take off some of the pressure on the WD.

[Gigler]

Put your tongue jack down and unplug the trailer from your vehicle so you don’t run your battery down. Just remember to retract your tongue jack before you take off and plug the trailer back into the vehicle.

[oldenavy]

We always try to stay hitched up if we can for an overnight stop. Saves time & effort at end of a long day & helps us get an earlier start in the am...

[Mollysdad]

for overnights, I usually have to raise the tongue to level it.
That may say something about my setup, but I digress. I carry a wood block 5" thick that I toss under the jack. Then level.
I never disconnected the 7 way, but now you people have me concerned, so I will next time.
I never put the stabilizers down. I must be immune to motion.
One less thing to remember in the morning.

[rmkrum]

We normally stay hitched and connected, and only put stabilizers down if it’s really windy or DW gets uncomfortable with any motion.

I hang “Remove before Flight” streamers on any of the stabilizer jacks if they are down, and one on the tongue jack if I use it to level the floor a bit.

Streamers in various sizes and types are available on Amazon. I use the keychain size ones and hang them on designated hooks in our wardrobe when not in use. They are on the checklists as well.

Heck, it’s built like an airplane, why not treat it like one?

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

...
I hang “Remove before Flight” streamers on any of the stabilizer jacks if they are down...?

I’ve gotten into the habit of tossing a leveling LEGO onto the drivers seat as a reminder that I lowered the jack or stabilizers.

I WILL get your attention if you sit on it!

[rmkrum]

That would be real hard to ignore...even harder to ignore if you toss it into DW’s seat!!!

🤬

[caz]

Overnight, we lower the tongue jack to level the trailer and take some weight off our tow vehicle.

[etojeo]

Lots o feedback, and we do the same... We always leave it hitched and use the A Frame jack to relieve the load on the Tow Vehicle. One difference - I always drop my stabilizer jacks just to take a bit of bounce out of the trailer...

[KK4YZ]

I think the ayes have it!

[guskmg]

The only "nay" I can see is a serious medical emergency and no means to summons help, i.e., out of cell range. In that case you or someone with you could respond much faster if already disconnected and ready to roll. I believe the safest policy would be to only boondock if you are in excellent health. Everyday you hear about somebody having an unplanned medical emergency. So I guess life is really a crap shoot in that case.
guskmg

[Steamguy]

We're in the 'leave it hooked up' category. Have done this for years and years, with no negative effects on TV or trailer(s). The exception is a campsite where the truck and trailer are severely misaligned vertically, where the jack has to go WAY up, taking the truck's rear wheels nearly off the ground. Have been to a couple of those...

We do disconnect the umbilical, got the need for that driven home once on a particular truck where the tow relay was "supposed" to disconnect on ignition-off. Got lucky and the truck started on the third low growl of the starter.

I throw a towel over the center of the steering wheel or into the instrument cluster to remind me to check the jack and reconnect the umbilical.

[JonDNC]

We’re in the overnight leave it hooked up category, multiple night disconnect and fully set things up.