Parts Needed to Charge Battery of Towed Vehicle while Flat Towing
Question:
Hello, I have received great advice from you and excellent parts and service from etrailor, so I am asking again! On our first tow adventure, we arrived home to discover we had a dead battery in our tow vehicle. I would like to avoid that in the future! I have been reading about systems that will help to maintain the battery while we are driving. I am currently using the Blue Ox Patriot II brake system. I am using magnetic tow lights that plug into the plug on the Coachmen Freelander RV.The Escape has to have the key in the accessory position while towing. Is there a relatively easy system to install for allowing me to charge the vehicle battery while we tow? If not, is there a more complicated system that might require some assistance for installing? Thank you
asked by: Ron H
Expert Reply:
I have exactly what you are looking for, but the ease of install can be a bit of a loaded question. If you are comfortable dealing with trailer wires such as the occasional splicing or battery terminal connection, then this install will be easier than falling asleep in a La-Z-Boy recliner. If you've never touched a trailer wire before, then I've attached a video that will hopefully put your mind at ease that you can do this yourself. This can definitely be a DIY type of installation.
To charge your battery while towing, you will want to add a battery charge line kit to your setup with part # RM-156-25. I attached a video of our installer showing this installation on a Ford Edge. This is not a vehicle specific product, so the installation process will be the same on your Ford Escape.
This process will require the trailer connector on your motorhome to have an active 12 volt battery charge pin too. Most of the time this isn't a problem on the motorhome side, but if you find that the battery isn't charging or that you don't have power on the 11 o'clock pin in your motorhome's trailer connector, then you will also want to install the the charge line kit for motorhomes, # RM-156-75. I've attached an installation video of this kit for you as well.
If you have any other questions or have any questions along the way, please feel free to reach out and I'll be happy to help.
Kelly B.
5/18/2020
I installed this kit on my 2015 Equinox. Do I need the Roadmaster Single Park Light Diode Item # RM-690?
Chris R.
5/21/2020
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Motorhomes
- Accessories and Parts
- Flat Tow Wiring Harness
- Battery Charge Line Kit
- Roadmaster
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Accessories and Parts
- Flat Tow Wiring Harness
- Battery Charge Line Kit
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Brake System
- Shop: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Search Results: dm86vr
- Video: Installing the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit on a 2020 Chevrolet Spark
- Shop: Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 7-Way to 6-Way Coiled Adapter Cord
- Video: Roadmaster Manufacturer Spotlight - Getting Started With Your Flat Tow Setup
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: BrakeBuddy Towed Vehicle Battery Charge Line Kit
- Shop: Roadmaster Battery Disconnect for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System - Gas Only
- Shop: Blue Ox 4-Diode Universal Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Search Results: rm766
- Video: The Low-Down on the Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Braking System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes
- Shop: Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Braking System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Wireless Monitor - Proportional
- Shop: Towed Vehicle Battery Charge Line Kit for Demco Air Force One and Stay-IN-Play Duo Braking Systems
- Video: Review of the BrakeBuddy Towed Vehicle Battery Charge Line Kit
- Q&A: Does 2023 Ford Bronco Need Stop Light Switch for Roadmaster InvisiBrake Installation
- Video: Installation: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Motorhomes on a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
- Video: Install: BrakeBuddy Towed Vehicle Battery Charge Line Kit on a 2020 Jeep Gladiator
- Search Results: rm~156~75
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: rm26fr
- Search Results: blue ox safety cables
- Search Results: bx88197
- Search Results: rm~156~25
- Video: How to Install the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit on a 2021 Chevrolet Spark
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Q&A: Choosing Between the Brake Buddy Select 3 and the Blue Ox Patriot Supplemental Braking System
- Article: Flat Towing Package for 2015-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon
on Accessories and Parts
Ron H.
4/25/2020
Thank you John, but I think I need a little more information. It appears these installs require a 7 pin hookup on the tow vehicle and the motor home. Since I use the magnetic signal lights, I do not have a hook up on the Escape. My magnetic signal lights use a 4 pin that required me to install a 4 pin adapter to the 7 pin on my motor home. All parts purchased from E-trailer Is there some other type of adapter I could use on the motor home to give me access to charge wire and an alternate way to attach it to the Escape?