Silverado won't consistently power trailer's rear camera

RamRod78 · April 1, 2021

Hi all,

Is this only am issue with the ProGrade trailering package?

I have a new style 2019 with standard trailering kit. My camera on a new trailer (not towed with this vehicle before) didn't work, so I ordered the furrion switched 7-pin adapter.

Turns out the trailer wiring behind the camera had shorted and melted to a gloopy mess. Fixed that and camera is now fine.

I can't tell any difference with the adapter or without.

I don't want to sell the adapter on unless I'm sure I'm good. Currently have a mix of LED & Incandescent bulbs on the trailer running light circuit.

Cheers!

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Pam Twiss · April 5, 2021

On 11/6/2019 at 1:57 PM, ASA Electronics said:

I just wanted to update everyone that our filter is available for those that need it to solve the PWM issue. There are two versions, p/n PWMBUT and PWMCEC, with the difference being in the connection type. Our Voyager cameras ship with our CEC connector; however, in some applications this has been removed and have only the +12V (Red) & Ground (Black) wire connected to power source. For these, the blunt-cut version is used. For those with our CEC connector, the Voyager CEC version is needed.

I appreciate the feedback we’ve received from J-Stroke, Jack D and geddy76 during their testing.

I have 3 cameras, rear works great as it was installed in the camera ready bracket on the trailer, but the 2 side cameras won't work with my 2019 Sierra 1500 At4.. Do I need a harness for each side or will 1do the trick?

Edited April 6, 2021 by Pam Twiss

d61mccarty · April 12, 2021

I have a 2019 GMC Sierra SLE. and found the same issue with my Furrion 3 camera set. After some playing around I found that if I jumper the trailer 7 way connector Batt and tail/marker light pins the cameras will operate. but not plugged into truck. After research I found that their is not enough current (power) to power the cameras. I installed a relay where the trailer light is connected and use the 12v to power the tail/marker lights. The relay coil is energized by the truck tail lights so no damage will be done to the truck trailer control module. Problem solved.

BillinSC369 · April 12, 2021

Hi d61mccarty, I've been toying with the idea of doing the same thing. I have a 2021 Silverado 2500 and 2021 Grand Design Imagine trailer and have the same problem after spending $800 on the Furrion 3 camera system. Can you share a little more details about how you did this? What kind of relay did you use and how did you wire it? Thanks!

Edited April 12, 2021 by BillinSC369

BillinSC369 · April 13, 2021

19 hours ago, d61mccarty said:

I have a 2019 GMC Sierra SLE. and found the same issue with my Furrion 3 camera set. After some playing around I found that if I jumper the trailer 7 way connector Batt and tail/marker light pins the cameras will operate. but not plugged into truck. After research I found that their is not enough current (power) to power the cameras. I installed a relay where the trailer light is connected and use the 12v to power the tail/marker lights. The relay coil is energized by the truck tail lights so no damage will be done to the truck trailer control module. Problem solved.

Hi d61mccarty, I've been toying with the idea of doing the same thing. I have a 2021 Silverado 2500 and 2021 Grand Design Imagine trailer and have the same problem after spending $800 on the Furrion 3 camera system. Can you share a little more details about how you did this? What kind of relay did you use and how did you wire it? Thanks!

d61mccarty · April 13, 2021

Here are a couple pics of the relay and the wiring. Its goes where the trailer cable goes into the trailer. Mine had a box with a terminal strip inside.

12v 30 amp Auto relay.jfif

RamRod78 · April 13, 2021

This is exactly what the Furrion adapter does.

Just switches the circuit based on a signal on the running light pin.

Question - Is this only on trucks with the advanced trailering app? Is the regular towing package ok?

I ask as I had camera power problems, got the adapter, didn't make much difference. I found shorted cables behind the running light. Fixed that and the camera works without adapter, but signal is crap. Need to try again with adapter, but wondering if the pwm power could allow camera to work but affect range?

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BillinSC369 · April 13, 2021

3 hours ago, RamRod78 said:

This is exactly what the Furrion adapter does.

Just switches the circuit based on a signal on the running light pin.

Question - Is this only on trucks with the advanced trailering app? Is the regular towing package ok?

I ask as I had camera power problems, got the adapter, didn't make much difference. I found shorted cables behind the running light. Fixed that and the camera works without adapter, but signal is crap. Need to try again with adapter, but wondering if the pwm power could allow camera to work but affect range?

Sent from my SM-G973W using Tapatalk

According to Furrion support, the problem I'm having is specific to the newer 2021 Silverado 2500 (and likely other similar GM models) and their current adapter won't work for me. Apparently there was a change made on the GM side for newer models. That is why they are working on developing a new adapter specifically for newer models. Apparently a lot of prospective Furrion camera users are having the same issue due to the new PWM systems. They also told me that the ASA adapter won't work in my case. Incidentally I recently asked Furrion for an update on the new adapter and received a reply this morning (see attached).

Until they have a new adapter ready the only other option is to separate the running/marker light circuit (which also powers the cameras) and run them directly from the battery using an independent fused line with its own relay. It will likely also need to be independently switched because I'm not sure that the PWM voltage from the 7-pin truck/trailer connection with keep the relay latched (that's only my assumption based on what I've researched/read). It's a pretty basic circuit, just requires getting up under the TT, separating out the appropriate circuits and adding the necessary wiring, relay and likely a switch.

Down side is I will have to turn on the marker lights (and cameras running off those circuits) manually from wherever I mount the switch on the TT (and remember to turn them off when stored). Not a big deal but not optimal. I'm not sure what functionality I might lose with the truck besides the light check feature (never use it anyway).

I'm hoping that the side and rear marker lights (the circuits that power the cameras) are separate from the running lights in the brake/turn signal lights. If they are then I can separate only the marker light circuits I need (side and rear upper markers) and leave the running lights in the brake/turn signal lights hooked up to the 7-pin truck/trailer connection. This way the Truck will still see this load and not think there is something disconnected (if that's even an issue).

I'm guessing the new adapter will be plug and play like the current ones and maintain full functionality between the truck and trailer. I'm also guess it will be around the $80-$100 mark (on top of what I've already spent on the 3 camera system with 7 inch monitor). Separating the circuits would be considerably cheaper I'm guessing.

I think for now I might just crawl under the TT and investigate how I might/could separate the circuits and how much hassle it might be just to have an idea and wait another few weeks to see if Furrion comes out with something in the mean time.

To answer your other question, I don't know if this is specific to the Advanced Trailering Package or not (I never asked Furrion) but it is an interesting question. all I can say is that I have the ATP on my Silverado.

Edited April 13, 2021 by BillinSC369

BillinSC369 · April 13, 2021

1 hour ago, d61mccarty said:

Here are a couple pics of the relay and the wiring. Its goes where the trailer cable goes into the trailer. Mine had a box with a terminal strip inside.

12v 30 amp Auto relay.jfif 4.44 kB · 3 downloads

Thanks Daryl!

Ed Luke · May 14, 2021

The GM Camera Harness - PWMBUT sold by ASA electronics on Amazon fixed the camera issue on my new 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500. Thanks.

BillinSC369 · May 14, 2021

15 minutes ago, Ed Luke said:

The GM Camera Harness - PWMBUT sold by ASA electronics on Amazon fixed the camera issue on my new 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500. Thanks.

I bought one of those but haven't installed it yet. Just curious, does your 3500 have the Advanced Trailering System (U1D)

option?

Glad to hear you got yours to work.

BillinSC369 · June 23, 2021

So...I got tired of waiting for Furrion to come out with a suitable adapter that will work with my 2021 Silverado 2500 and wired in a relay to control the power to the rear and side cameras from the battery to bypass the PWM funkiness that's keeping me from running them. I'm sure Furrion will work something out but we have a big trip coming up soon and decided to bite the bullet and make this modification instead (plus I couldn't stand watching $700 worth of cameras sitting on my work bench).

The mod was pretty straight forward and not technically hard, just time consuming.

Underneath where the trailer/truck 7 pin connector goes into a small junction box you can separate out the connections to the running lights that are normally powered by the truck through the green wire. I have a 2021 GD Imagine 2500RL but this should be pretty standard on most TT's. I had three separate wires going from the Main 7 pin (Green) to the TT. One went to the rear tail/stop lights (for running lights) and also two lower marker lights together. A second green wire went to the Upper Rear running lights and the Furrion camera housing and the third green wire went to the Front/Side marker lights.

Because my truck monitors the TT light connections I left the one green wire that connects to the Rear/Stop/Running lights connected to the main 7 pin connection. This way my truck will always see them and monitor the connection (otherwise I would have a constant fault/warning from the truck. These lights will be activated by the trucks headlights like normal.

The other two connections I wired to a 12V relay. This relay is activated manually from a ground triggered switch I installed in the passthrough storage area. The relay is mounted underneath near the junction box. I've never installed/wired a relay before but it was pretty straight forward. Running the wire for the switch was also pretty easy because the wiring from the main 7 pin connector come up behind the wet bay panel. Just had to fish the wire through but was pretty simple.

After all the wiring was completed and tested I installed the rear back up camera and it connected to the wireless monitor right way with no issues, strong signal and clear picture. Tomorrow I'll get the side cameras installed.

The only down side to this set up is that I have to manually turn on/off the camera/marker light circuit. Not a big deal really. You'll know if you've left them on 'cuz all your markers light will be on.

Technically you could also monitor the cameras from inside the TT when camping but again, your marker lights will be on at the same time.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience with anyone who might be in the same boat as I was with the PWM system keeping you from running your cameras.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Edited June 23, 2021 by BillinSC369

Brian Sebelski · June 30, 2021

I had the same issue, but got a brief picture when the light test runs on my 2020 Silverado 2500. Turns out the running lights on the RV weren't powered when the lights were on auto. I don't know if there's a better fix, but I simply turned on my running or head lights and the camera works. I have a voyager camera.

Blasts · July 13, 2021

On 5/14/2021 at 12:16 PM, Ed Luke said:

The GM Camera Harness - PWMBUT sold by ASA electronics on Amazon fixed the camera issue on my new 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500. Thanks.

what did you connect between it?

ratman6161 · July 23, 2021

Any updates on this issue as far as Furrion coming out with a new version of their adapter that works with 2021's? Old new for the rest of you but I just discovered the problem on my 2021 Sierra 1500 yesterday. Couldn't imagine why switching to a new truck would cause a problem . Anyway,tinkering with the wiring on my travel trailer or my new truck are a non-starte for me.