Can I Raise the Roof just plugged into truck ?

[raysnuffer]

Just bought a 1908T last week. Its in great shape. I wonder if the roof can be raised if battery is weak by plugging in to my F150 truck tow plug and starting engine to charge the battery ??

Thanks
Ray

 

[JackandJanet]

Just bought a 1908T last week. Its in great shape. I wonder if the roof can be raised if battery is weak by plugging in to my F150 truck tow plug and starting engine to charge the battery ??

Thanks
Ray

You need high Amp source at the trailer's battery for the lifting motor. If the trailer battery is weak or discharged, it is likely that the combination of the draw by the lifting motor AND the charging current being demanded by the weak battery will overload the 12V trailer charging fuse in your tow vehicle, causing it to blow. It's normally a 30-Amp fuse.

It would be better to attach jumper cables from the tow vehicle's battery to the trailer battery to supply the power. (And leave the tow vehicle's ignition off to protect the TV electronics from a low voltage condition that might result.)

Failing that, try charging the trailer battery with the TV or better yet, a battery charger. Disconnect the TV before you try raising the trailer top.

- Jack

 

[raysnuffer]

Thanks Jack for the lifter info...

Thanks Jack !!!

I read the lift motor is actually a car starter and can be bought at a auto parts store if it goes out.

I appreciate the info. It would be so convenient if the plug worked

Have you ever used the hydraulic pump manually ????

Thanks again....

Ray

 

[JackandJanet]

Thanks Jack !!!

I read the lift motor is actually a car starter and can be bought at a auto parts store if it goes out.

I appreciate the info. It would be so convenient if the plug worked

Have you ever used the hydraulic pump manually ????

Thanks again....

Ray

I HAVE, and I've posted on it in this forum. It took very little effort to raise the top with the manual handle on my trailer (17-ft) when I did it. But, you spend a bit of time doing it, since it takes quite a few strokes. Still, the top started up almost immediately, and each stroke moved it a bit higher.

I would never be worried about getting the top up if the battery was dead at a campground.

- Jack