Powering a Refrigerator in a Trailer While Towing

Updated 07/01/2026 | Published 05/31/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger - Dual Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 40 Amp

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$620.00

Question:

I have a small RV trailer with a mini fridge. I want to run fridge while trailer is being towed. It draws 3.6 amps. The trailer will have a deep cycle battery and has a converter when connected to shore power. Can I run the fridge off an auxiliary 12 volt outlet while RV is being towed? How?

asked by: John R

Expert Reply:

Some items in a trailer or RV will run off of 12 volt DC power or AC power so if your fridge runs when not connected to shore power then it will run off of the battery. That battery can receive a maintenance charge from the 12 volt circuit on a 7-Way trailer connector but the fridge would draw power faster than the 12 volt circuit can charge.

What you would need to do to provide the best charge to the battery is use a DC to DC charger while you are towing such as # 331-BCDC1240D.

If the fridge is strictly AC powered then you would need to wire a power inverter such as # WC3720 to the trailer/RV battery and plug the fridge into it when you go to tow the trailer. I do still recommend using a DC to DC charger to reduce the chance of the fridge draining the battery.

expert reply by: Michael H