Lance Wiring On New Truck

[MLD]

I traded in my 2011 Sierra 3500 Dmax on a 2018 Sierra 3500 Dmax and am going to install the Lance plug and wiring on my new truck but there isn't a trailer battery post by the engine compartment fuse block on the 2018 like on the 2011. Is the best option running the 8 gauge cable with an inline fuse to the battery or is there a better place to connect battery power?

[Freep]

I did that mod and was unhappy with it because the Lance plug kept slipping out.

I ended up doing something a little different and I'm extremely happy with the result.

We can run the fridge on DC while driving and still charge the battery.

[Z-Peller]

MLD wrote:
I did check the 2018 this morning, the battery feed to the trailer plug is hot all the time.

On my 2016 Duramax the trailer charge wire fuse is in the "drivers side under hood fuse block" It is a pink colored 30A square fuse. I pull it to disconnect truck batteries when I store camper on the truck under cover, but having 200W solar and 2x6V GC batteries on the camper I keep the fuse in 24/7 when camping and never have a problem with the truck batteries.

[MLD]

Kayteg1 wrote:

MLD wrote:
My camper does have a separator. Just curious, is the trucks trailer battery feed powered only when the ignition is on or constantly?

Like I mention above, Dodge did not make charging circuit relay and Ford in the past was the only 1.
So older Chebys and Dodges would drain the truck battery during camping if camper had no separator. How it looks in new models? I don't know.

I did check the 2018 this morning, the battery feed to the trailer plug is hot all the time.

[BurbMan]

That's correct, the 8 ga is to handle the amp draw of the fridge running on 12v.
I plan on doing the same, rewiring the camper to run on the 7-way trailer connector. Our fridge died and we replaced with a 2-way (got a deal on it) so will just run on propane while driving. I've got solar installed to keep the batteries charged so I think the 10-ga in the Ram factory harness will be plenty.

In this particular camper I have 2 20-lb LP tanks but only one battery, so it makes sense to run the fridge off of gas. I've been using gas for the fridge for many years in the TT so assuming the TC is the same.

[Kayteg1]

10 gauge factory wire was sufficient for most of TC charging on all my Fords.
I tried to run fridge on 12V one time and with >>110F outside, the fridge never cycled off, so after day of driving camper battery went low.
So I used propane for fridge, even I don't like the idea of open flame at gas stations, but huge convenience outweigh small risk.
Lance camper when I bought it - already had factory plug cut off and replaced with standard tow plug. I never looked forward to redo the wiring to Lance idea, but if you value safety high- do the truck wiring upgrade.
For long wire from truck battery to Lance outlet, I would consider #6 wire.
Also I found truck grounding on lousy side, so that could use upgrade as well.

[MLD]

BradW wrote:

Buzzcut1 wrote:
straight to the battery works very well

Yep. If you want to run your frig while driving and keep your camper battery charged, that is how Lance recommends you do it.

I'm guessing Lance uses the 8 gauge wire for those that do run their frig on 12 volt and charge batteries while traveling. Do you think that the 8 gauge wire is necessary for just charging the batteries or would the truck's factory 10 gauge wire suffice? The reason I ask is I was toying with the idea of using my old truck's Lance plug and wiring to make a pigtail to connect the camper to the factory in bed 7 blade plug, I never run my fridge on 12 volt.

[Kayteg1]

MLD wrote:
My camper does have a separator. Just curious, is the trucks trailer battery feed powered only when the ignition is on or constantly?

Like I mention above, Dodge did not make charging circuit relay and Ford in the past was the only 1.
So older Chebys and Dodges would drain the truck battery during camping if camper had no separator. How it looks in new models? I don't know.

[MLD]

My camper does have a separator. Just curious, is the trucks trailer battery feed powered only when the ignition is on or constantly?

[Kayteg1]

I did own my Lance for 3 years and it wasn't till I parted it when I found the camper had battery separator build-in.
I know Dodge USED to not have charging relay on trailer circuit, so you have to do your homework.
Either separator on camper, or relay on truck will do the same job, but you need 1 of those to start with.
Meaning if you confirm your Lance has battery separator, running heavy wire from truck battery, with 40 amp breaker down to rear plug is all you need.

[BradW]

Buzzcut1 wrote:
straight to the battery works very well

Yep. If you want to run your frig while driving and keep your camper battery charged, that is how Lance recommends you do it.

[Buzzcut1]

straight to the battery works very well