2006 GMC Sierra Trailer Wiring Not Supplying Battery Charge on a 2005 Slide in Camper by Six Pac

Published 06/08/2010

Products Featured in This Question

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

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NOCO Genius Smart Battery Charger - AC to DC - 6V/12V - 5 Amp

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Pollak Circuit Breaker - Cycling/Automatic Reset - 40 Amp - Straight Mount Bracket

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Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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Question:

when I plug my 2005 six pac camper into the trailer connector it does not charge my battery in the camper, do I need something different?

asked by: Kris M

Expert Reply:

If you have a 7-Way connector on the rear of your 2006 GMC Sierra, the number 4 contact, in the 1 o-clock position, looking inside the connector from the rear of the vehicle, should be the 12-volt hot wire contact (see link). Check this contact with a circuit tester, item # PTW2993 if needed. If you do not have power to this contact, then you will need to determine if there is a blown fuse. This fuse is under the hood in the power distribution box (see link). There should be a 40-amp fuse in the location nearest the positive post closest to the front of the vehicle.

If this fuse is blown replace it. Before plugging your Six Pac back in make sure that there is not a problem with the wiring on the camper or you may blow the fuse again.

If the fuse is not blown you will need to check all of the wiring on the vehicle. Check for corrosion in the trailer connector and for loose pinched frayed or exposed wiring. Replace parts or wires if necessary. In the case of factory wiring it may be easier to run a new 10 guage power wire, through a 40 amp circuit breaker, item # PK54540, from the vehicle battery to the rear of the vehicle and splice it to the wire going to the number 4 connection inside the trailer.

The charge wire in the trailer connector is designed to help maintain the camper battery and will not charge the battery from a discharged state. In this case a battery charger like the NOCO Genius # 329-GENIUS5, would need to be used to fully charge the battery and then the vehicle charging system would be able to maintain the charge when the vehicle is running.

There are numerous things to check just be patient and through a process of elimination we can find the problem.