2024 Silverado 3500 Won't Detect My LED Boat Trailer - What Can I Do?

Updated 07/30/2026 | Published 07/20/2026

Question:

I have 2024 silerado 3500. And when I hook up my boat trailer truck says not connected. Trailer lights are led and brand new lights and wire.

asked by: Tim E

Expert Reply:

Hey Tim, thanks for reaching out. Since you're towing with a 2024 Silverado 3500 and the trailer has all new LED lights and wiring, I think you've already narrowed it down quite a bit. GM trucks use the amount of current being drawn by the trailer lights to determine whether a trailer is connected. A lot of LED trailer lights just don't draw enough current, so the truck never recognizes the trailer even though the lights themselves work fine.

I'd start by making sure the trailer ground is solid, but if everything is wired correctly, I think the LED lights are what's causing the issue. Using an LED trailer light adapter like the 7-Way Vehicle Power Adapter # FR87PR will provide enough load for the Silverado to recognize the trailer. I've seen this come up quite a bit with newer GM trucks and all-LED boat trailers, so that's what I recommend going with.

What kind of trailer and boat do you have?

expert reply by: Jesse M

7-Way Vehicle Power Adapter
(click to enlarge)

Ernie

7/25/2026

Tim I have a 2023 GMC 3500 slt diesel. I pull a 35 Ft fifth wheel trailer with it. The GMC and Chevy models require the use of the wiring adapter in order to get enough power to power the lights on the trailer. The GMC circuit is not powerful enough to do the job. I bought mine from etrailer and it has worked great so far on two trips from the Yukon to Baja and back.

Scott L.

7/25/2026

@Ernie. Hi. I purchased this for my 2024 Silverado 3500 duramax. This pice works perfectly to run the Furrion camera Scott

Jesse M.

7/27/2026

@Ernie Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad to hear the adapter solved the issue for you, and that's an impressive trip from the Yukon to Baja and back!

John C.

7/25/2026

I have a 2024 Denali HD 3500. I pull a Brinkley Z3100. This adapter fixed my rear camera issue.

Phil

7/25/2026

Tim, I’m no expert. Just another victim. I had a different issue, but maybe the same cause. 2020 Silverado 1500, and 2024 2500.. Never had an issue with lights. I have had trailer not connected messages. Didn’t have the 7 pin trailer plug properly inserted. My issue was that the PWM module that GM adopted to manage trailer lights was inherently incapable of maintaining constant 12V power output. That’s just the nature of PWM architecture. I had to use the Furrion power adapter so that I could get constant 12V power to my rear observation camera. You’ve probably already considered this. If your lights work properly, but the module doesn’t recognize your trailer is connected it could be a software issue or a faulty 7 pin connection. I’d make sure all connections are good, and check for software updates. Hope some of this helps

Jesse M.

7/27/2026

@Phil Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. That's some great information, especially regarding GM's PWM system and how it affected your rear camera setup. I'm sure it'll give others with newer GM trucks another avenue to check if they're running into similar trailer connection issues.

Mario G.

7/25/2026

Unfortunately, I did the same trying to find a solution without this adapter. It’s an led issue Chevy/GMC uses to accommodate all the things required to run all the sh— they’ve added to the electronics. The end result? I bought the adapter. However, I ended up buying a new truck, not Chevy or GMC, so I no longer need the adapter. It’s yours if you want it. It worked great for the short time I used it. Send me your info and I’ll send it to you.