Don't have the 5 er yet, or the BW installed, but was wondering. Short overnigght in a rest area or the likes. Would the rig be stable enuff just to keep hooked to the truck as is. Or is it better to unhook, and set the jacks.

 

You will be fine overnight.

I have done it and never had a problem.

Don't forget to set the brake..

 

If you're gonna run the lights or the furnace a lot, you might want to unplug the 7-pin umbilical to the truck as well. Otherwise, you might wake up to dead truck batteries!

Rusty

 

No problem at all, you'd have to have quite a party going on in there before you flipped the trailer over.

 

Ditto on unplug from the truck...

If it bothers you that the thing rocks around slightly when someone walks, just set the landing gear and rear stabalizers down w/o unhooking...

Obviously, get in the habit of always walking around the inside and outside of the rig before taking off... to make sure everything loose inside is put up, vents are closed, jacks and steps are up, wheel chocks are put away, hitch is locked on pin, and brake cable is hooked up...

P.S. I think you will like the B&W. Install isn't too bad.

 

We've stayed in campgrounds overnight without putting the feet down. I always unplug from the truck but I was under the impression the Dodge had a relay that picked when the truck is started to charge the battery and not draw on it with the truck off. I've never checked to verify but it would be easy to do tomorrow with a volt meter.

 

I prefer overnighting in truck stops. You get the gentle diesel rumble to put you to sleep and in the morning there's good food and coffee nearby, even a shower if you want.

Edwin

 

We overnight in truck stops while on the road and only level sideways with a board or 2 under the tires. Only one time did we have a problem, the remnants of hurricane Francis shook us so bad at the TA in Madison, Ga on Sept 6 that I had to put down the gear and stabilizers. Also we use a pair of Honda EU2000i's for power so batteries aren't a problem.

 

Maybe Im just not old enough yet, but I have always just slid over to the passenger seat, put my 9mm in my lap, covered up with my coat and slept.

 

I can't comment on the 3rd gens, but the 2nd generation trucks do NOT have a battery isolation relay.

Rusty

 

Nope, 3rd gen doesn't either, Rusty. I had to put one in. For those that might not know what an isolation relay is, it will disconnect your truck batteries from the trailer when the truck ignition is shut off. You can also use a diode, but they are more expensive. The relay is mounted in line with the charging wire to the seven pin socket.
Bob

 

FiverBob,
More info on the relay, please.

 

You can pick up a relay at any RV supply store. They cost about $20. The look like the old starter relays. Wire it in series with your charge line headed to the rear plug. Your biggest challenge is finding a shielded place for installation so you don't hit it with grounded metal objects. The third connection on the relay is run to a circuit that is hot only when the key is on. Look around in your fuse box - - can't remember which one I picked up now. That way, the relay is closed when the key is on - - it is open when the key is turned off. Hence, your truck batteries are isolated from the RV batteries when the key is off.

Another reply mentioned a very important thing - - the walk around when you are ready to take off in the morning. I walk around mine every time I return to the fiver like in a pit stop. Some jerks love to disconnect stuff when your back is turned. One reason I like the in-bed plug rather than running the wire over the tailgate - - I can see it in my mirror. Some idiots will even pull your hitch handle so you could drop your fiver when you take off. A good lock helps prevent that.

Bob

 

Thanks FiverBob.

 

Thanks everone. A lot of good information.
New items to add to check list.
We are learning a lot.