How to Turn Off 12 Volt Trailer Wiring Circuit of Truck When Vehicle is Off

Updated 06/29/2021 | Published 06/25/2021

Question:

Hello, I have a 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 crew cab LT. I am towing a horse trailer that has two batteries. One is the battery for the emergency brake on the trailer. The other battery powers the featherlite installed cameras in the trailer as well as the electric Jack and all of the trailer lights. I am concerned about power outlets that are always hot. 1 the wiring harness is always on. I worry when I leave the trailer hooked up parked for several days, it will keep trickle charging the trailer batteries and drain the truck battery. The light to the breakaway brake battery is on when the truck is off. 2 both the front and rear in cab 12v power outlets stay hot. The monitor for the cameras plug into that. The monitor, even when I power it off, still has lights glowing unless I unplug it. So I assume that monitor would have enough draw to drain the battery. I’ve been searching all over what I can find for Chevy discussion boards and I’m not finding answers. I’m not asking you trailer folks how to change this feature, but rather if you think the trailer will suck the truck dry, parked. Hoping you can help even though it is a little out of bounds. You were super helpful with my questions when I was buying the accessories needed to get this rig rolling!

asked by: Andrea J

Expert Reply:

If you wanted to make your 12 volt power circuit turn off when the vehicle is turned off you could install the isolation solenoid part # PK5231201 on the circuit. You'd need install the circuit to the outside posts and then for the center pin you'd run a circuit to it that only is active when the vehicle is on and you'd be able to have the circuit killed completely when the vehicle off.

expert reply by: Jameson C