Troubleshooting Flat Towed Vehicle Charge Wire that Is Allowing Battery to Die Still

Updated 03/08/2022 | Published 03/07/2022

Question:

2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. I have confirmed several different times that the charge line has 12 volts when disconnected from the toad battery but if we travel over 3 hours the toad battery will be dead! When connected to the motorhome feed and the toad battery

asked by: Paul H

Expert Reply:

What is most likely going on is that your charge wire circuit is just not able to provide enough of a charge for the battery. It's a pretty long distance from the front of the motorhome to the back and then from there to the toad battery and the longer the wire the more resistance is present which cuts down on how much amperage can be delivered to the battery to charge it. The simplest solution would be to get a length of 8 gauge wire that will go from the MH battery to the rear of it to go to the 7-way. And then use same gauge wire from there to the battery of the toad. That will ensure you get the most amperage delivered to the battery.

Also it will be a good idea to make sure the battery in the toad is in good shape.

expert reply by: Jameson C