F250 is not charging RV batteries on the road

[J Maguire]

Starting with simple solutions I thought the fuse in slot 65 might be the problem but no luck. Looking for anything obvious I might be missing here. Fairly new setup for me and it has never charged the batteries going down the freeway. 5 hours driving today no charge was gained. Any ideas? Thxs

[GeoffnCheri]

Tow vehicles are generally inefficient at charging batteries while driving. Can you give more information on what the battery charge was at the beginning of the trip and where they were at 5 hours later?

[J Maguire]

Tow vehicles are generally inefficient at charging batteries while driving. Can you give more information on what the battery charge was at the beginning of the trip and where they were at 5 hours later?

I just happened to notice that 3 of 4 lights were showing on the dummy panel when we departed this morning and by the time we arrived 5 hours later the panel read the same. That's the longest tow so far with this setup so it caught my attention today at the campsite. Sorry, nothing more techinical to provide at the moment. It's a two battery setup.

[GeoffnCheri]

I just happened to notice that 3 of 4 lights were showing on the dummy panel when we departed this morning and by the time we arrived 5 hours later the panel read the same. That's the longest tow so far with this setup so it caught my attention today at the campsite. Sorry, nothing more technical to provide at the moment. It's a two battery setup.

No experience with the 2019 however, if 5 hours later the state of the batteries is the same charge as when you began the trip, I would accept this as a win. Your batteries are supplying the refer control board and other parasitic draws. With a single/standard alternator truck, breaking even is often as good as it gets. If other folks are experiencing a better charge rate from a single/standard alternator I would also be anxious to hear of it. If you have not already, I would consider installing a battery monitor to see the actual voltage rate or putting a voltmeter on the battery before the trip and upon arrival to determine if you are losing and charge and to what degree.

[J Maguire]

No experience with the 2019 however, if 5 hours later the state of the batteries is the same charge as when you began the trip, I would accept this as a win. Your batteries are supplying the refer control board and other parasitic draws. With a single/standard alternator truck, breaking even is often as good as it gets. If other folks are experiencing a better charge rate from a single/standard alternator I would also be anxious to hear of it. If you have not already, I would consider installing a battery monitor to see the actual voltage rate or putting a voltmeter on the battery before the trip and upon arrival to determine if you are losing and charge and to what degree.

I'll set up a battery monitor to get a better look at things. Does your PullRite hitch happen to squeak? Mine is fairly vocal at slow speeds. PullRite said it was normal.

[GeoffnCheri]

Does your PullRite hitch happen to squeak? Mine is fairly vocal at slow speeds. PullRite said it was normal.

Generally I have not noticed any noise. I stay pretty proactive on preventative maintenance and so far it has served us well. With a 6 3/4" bed I absolutely like the ability to not worry about backing angle. The con is I have experienced several sites where in order to get unhitched I have had to angle the truck off of the pavement in order to get less than 10 degrees. Overall experience is very happy with the hitch

[J Maguire]

No experience with the 2019 however, if 5 hours later the state of the batteries is the same charge as when you began the trip, I would accept this as a win. Your batteries are supplying the refer control board and other parasitic draws. With a single/standard alternator truck, breaking even is often as good as it gets. If other folks are experiencing a better charge rate from a single/standard alternator I would also be anxious to hear of it. If you have not already, I would consider installing a battery monitor to see the actual voltage rate or putting a voltmeter on the battery before the trip and upon arrival to determine if you are losing and charge and to what degree.

I started this thread originally so I thought I'd follow up. Hooked up voltage monitor today and drove six hours. Didn't gain or lose and that's with the fridge on and the slide out being used several times, etc., so it's definitely charging just not getting ahead or falling behind. Thanks for all the helpful feedback here.

[Scramjet]

I started this thread originally so I thought I'd follow up. Hooked up voltage monitor today and drove six hours. Didn't gain or lose and that's with the fridge on and the slide out being used several times, etc., so it's definitely charging just not getting ahead or falling behind. Thanks for all the helpful feedback here.

J,

I have a 2018 Ford F-250 gas with the factory installed 5th wheel plug in the bed. My Victron battery monitor says that I get about 7 amps from the truck best case. Not much considering the other parasitic draws as you have discovered!

Brian

[fez111]

Tow vehicles are generally inefficient at charging batteries while driving. Can you give more information on what the battery charge was at the beginning of the trip and where they were at 5 hours later?

I didn't see what year F250 was mentioned, but our 2006 Super Duty has two batteries, two alternators, and a 40 amp fuse protecting the RV power circuit which I believe has a #10 AWG wire. On the 2006 there is a relay that turns that circuit on when the ignition is on...which I jumpered it out so it is hot all the time.

Possibly the RV wiring is not connected to that particular pin in the plug?

[jkwilson]

With the trailer hooked up, after holding the brake pedal down, does the truck display the “Trailer Connected” message?