Truck Camper Wiring and Battery Charging for a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali and Lance Camper  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hi Gilbert, thanks for writing in.

The Hopkins # 41157 is not a fit for your 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali. For your truck, you'll want the Curt 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Wiring Harness # C56000. This plugs into your factory wiring and gives you a 7-way connector in the bed, which makes hooking up your Lance camper nice and clean. This plugs into your truck's existing 7-way wiring and gives you a convenient connector in the bed for the camper.

As for charging the camper battery and running the refrigerator, the bed-mounted harness simply extends the functions that are already available at your truck's factory 7-way connector. If the 12-volt charge pin is active, it can help maintain or lightly charge the camper battery while you're driving. However, I would not expect the factory charge line alone to be sufficient for reliably running the refrigerator.

Since your goal is to keep the camper battery charged while traveling and better support 12-volt loads like the fridge, I would strongly consider the Redarc BCDC Battery Charger # 331-BCDC1225D. This charger uses power from the truck's alternator to provide a proper charging profile to the camper battery, which is a much more effective solution than relying solely on the factory charge line.

I completely understand wanting to make sure the refrigerator stays cold and the camper battery stays healthy while you're on the road. A dedicated DC-to-DC charger can make a big difference, especially on longer trips where you want confidence that everything will be ready when you arrive.

Where do you take the Lance most often, campgrounds with hookups or off-grid spots where 12-volt power matters the most?

expert reply by: Heather A

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