Whats this wire for?

[L79racer]

I was checking why my battery died and found this wire off. What is it meant for? Everything works in my truck. I know its not the cause just wondering why its off and do I need it on.

 

[Ray Dockrey]

It is not needed. It is only needed if you are pulling a trailer that has its own battery. It provides the power to charge said battery. It is left unhooked from the factory and is a very common question. Normally it gets answered sarcastically lol.

 

[Me007gold]

That Red wire by your battery? Its used when towing if your want to charge the battery on your trailer

 

[L79racer]

It is not needed. It is only needed if you are pulling a trailer that has its own battery. It provides the power to charge said battery. It is left unhooked from the factory and is a very common question. Normally it gets answered sarcastically lol.

Wow fast response!!! Thanks, I do tow an open car trailer, is that also to charge the emergency brake battery?

 

[Ace1875]

That depends in how your trailer is wired up.

 

[Black_tb]

just dont cut the red wire what ever u do


lol sorry had to do it

 

[The_Roadie]

Here's where it goes. You need an M6 metric nut or wingnut. GM left it off (I think) because if they left it on, and somebody hooked up a large trailer with its own battery they were running a fridge on 12V, and it ran the trailer AND the vehicle battery down overnight because they were left hooked together, the owner could be stranded and cranky. Leaving it off like that makes the owner THINK about what they're doing, and what they SHOULD do is connect it by way of a high amp (30-50) solenoid that would disconnect when the ignition is turned off.

 

[L79racer]

Thanks guys, I will pick up M6 for it.

 

[David B.]

Ha! I've always wondered, this too. As well as my buddy at the office who has the same wire LOL. I love this forum...

 

[Mark20]

Here's where it goes. You need an M6 metric nut or wingnut. GM left it off (I think) because if they left it on, and somebody hooked up a large trailer with its own battery they were running a fridge on 12V, and it ran the trailer AND the vehicle battery down overnight because they were left hooked together, the owner could be stranded and cranky. Leaving it off like that makes the owner THINK about what they're doing, and what they SHOULD do is connect it by way of a high amp (30-50) solenoid that would disconnect when the ignition is turned off.

And a 12V camper fridge will kill a battery pretty quickly. Fortunately it was the camper's battery and not the tow vehicle.

I put the nut on both the Envoy and Silverado's 12V post (really like Roadie's wingnut idea) but left the wire disconnected with the intention of hooking up the wire only when needed. (Both have the same feature.) I have done so only once when I needed to top off the camper's battery. A 4.2L engine makes for an expensive generator!