Recommendation for Disconnecting the Battery or Running a Hot Wire When Wiring a Jeep Toad Vehicle

Updated 02/22/2012 | Published 02/19/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Battery Disconnect for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System - Gas Only

(432)

$218.40

Pollak Circuit Breaker - Cycling/Automatic Reset - 40 Amp - Straight Mount Bracket

(50)

$7.36

Roadmaster 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Kit

(267)

$93.90

Question:

I am towing a 08 Jeep behind a 2005 RV. The RV has a 7 pin connecter becaus I also tow a toy trailer with brakes and battery. I would like to use the 12 v lead from the RV to charge the Jeep battery while towing. Dont want to pull fuses, also have supplemental brakes. Do I run the wire direct to the positive side of the toad battery or I need any relay, fuse, etc. in line?

asked by: Norm P

Expert Reply:

You could route the power wire from the RV 7-Way trailer connector to the Jeep battery to help maintain the Jeep battery when towing. The problem is that the 12 volt circuit will most likely not be able to keep up with the amperage draw on the Jeep battery when towing, because of the distance from the RV charging system, and you would need trailer connectors to accommodate the extra wire on the tow bar jumper harness and the Jeep.

I recommend installing an Auto Battery Disconnect, # RM-766, on your Jeep. The disconnect is activated by the taillight circuit from the RV. When the RV taillights are on the solenoid is activated and the Jeep battery is automatically disconnected. The power from the taillight circuit that is not needed to keep the solenoid open is then routed to the Jeep battery helping to maintain the charge while you are towing.

If you decide to route the 12 volt power wire from your RV 7-Way to the Jeep battery power post, you could use the 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Kit, # RM-146-7, which includes a 7-Way to 6-Way jumper harness and a 6-Way vehicle end connector for the Jeep. You would run the wire directly to the positive post of the Jeep battery. You need to make sure the 12 volt circuit on the RV is protected by a 40 amp or smaller fuse or circuit breaker, like part # PK54540. If the RV circuit is already protected there would be no need to install an additional relay, fuse or circuit breaker.

expert reply by: Robert G