How to Charge a Camper Trailer's Battery While Being Towed

Question:

I just purchased a small tear camper trailer. I am running a fan, outlets and ARB 12v fridge off a 27 series deep cycle RV battery. I tow it with a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I want to be able to charge the trailer battery off of the alternator on the Jeep while driving. What products do I need to accomplish that?

asked by: Denny K

Expert Reply:

To put a maintenance charge on your trailer's battery you are going to need to have a 7-way installed on both the 2010 Wrangler and your trailer. The 12 volt circuit of 7-way can put a maintenance charge on a trailer's battery if the circuit is ran to the positive post of the battery. In your situation this is the most common way people charge the battery. You should note that this method will only put a maintenance charge on the battery and would not charge a depleted battery.

It sounds like you have a 4-way on your Jeep already, but if you did not you would want the part # C55124. Now to convert it to a 7-way all you would need is part # 37185. The black wire would need to get run up to the positive battery terminal of the Jeep battery (or alternator output post), with 10 gauge wire like part # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot), through a circuit breaker like part # 9510.

For a 7-way for your trailer you would want the part # H20046. The black wire would get run to the positive terminal or your trailer battery.

expert reply by: Jameson C