Charging camper battery while towing w/2017 Silverado 1500

[Coosa Bass]

Hi!  New here, first post... a question...

 

I tow a small camping trailer with my 2017 Silverado 1500 LT 4x4.  I've been under the assumption that the camper battery charges through the 7-blade connector while being towed.  I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm this is happening or if I need to upgrade something to make sure.  I've read a little about "low voltage / smart alternators" that may interfere with this process, just looking to understand for now.

 

Thanks!

 

Ernie in Southern Wisconsin

[davester]

If it's hooked up correctly, it will.  It may not charge as fast as the battery up front, given the wire is a lot smaller and the distance from the alternator is so great.

 

Simple thing to do is to put a voltmeter across the battery on the trailer with the trailer plugged into the truck and the truck's engine is running.  It should be somewhere in the 13.5 to 14.5 volt range.  Under 12.5V and it's not charging.

[swathdiver]

10 hours ago, Coosa Bass said:

Hi!  New here, first post... a question...

 

I tow a small camping trailer with my 2017 Silverado 1500 LT 4x4.  I've been under the assumption that the camper battery charges through the 7-blade connector while being towed.  I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm this is happening or if I need to upgrade something to make sure.  I've read a little about "low voltage / smart alternators" that may interfere with this process, just looking to understand for now.

 

Thanks!

 

Ernie in Southern Wisconsin

Did you select Tow/Haul mode to activate it?  You can also start charging by turning on the headlights if the trailer is too light for Tow/Haul.

[Z45]

Camper/Trailer Battery Charging Concerns:
Some customers may comment that when towing or hauling a camper/trailer, the auxiliary battery for the camper/trailer will not stay charged. In most cases, this concern is blamed on the new RVC system. While the RVC system does reduce the generator's targeted output voltage to 12.6-13.1 volts when in "Fuel Economy Mode", this feature is bypassed if the tow/haul feature is enabled. With the tow/haul feature enabled, the RVC system will stay in "Charge Mode" and the targeted generator output voltage will be 13.9-15.5 volts, depending on the battery state of charge and the estimated battery temperature. To keep the generator in the "Charge Mode", use either of the following two methods.

• The first method is to use the tow/haul mode when towing or hauling a camper or trailer.

• The second method is to turn on the headlights, which will increase the generator's targeted output voltage to 13.9-14.5 volts.