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20 hours ago, oldjohnt said:

  Maybe there's a Serial, Make or Model number hidden somewhere on the alternator????  Maybe some of the trucks specs if you have any ?? Maybe communicate the VIN with the manufacturer or even somewhere on the internet ??

 If it's a diesel ?? its probably a hefty rated alternator, at least 100 Amps probably  more ?? 

 A PURE GUESS not knowing your truck (gas or diesel?) or alternator I would think at least a 40 Amp to a 60 Amp DC to DC charger is THE BARE MINIMUM that may suit you, perhaps even larger if available and you have a diesel with a high capacity alternator. Ive seen some of the less expensive (Renogy) DC to DC that activate via the key switch or ignition etc soon as ON while other more expensive (maybe Victron) are programmable, and of course they need to have switches/settings/programs for Lithium. I have a 40 Amp Renogy manually activated feeding 412 AH of lithium for driving (Ford V10 Gas) on cloudy rainy days, but typically my rooftop solar satisfies all my needs. Think Amp Hours of energy you require and how many Amp Hours a DC to DC might supply  ?? Say you drove 2 hours with a 60 Amp DC to DC charger, thats 120 Amp Hours IN THEORY subject to battery SOC and other factors.

 

 Sorry I can't GUESS more absent your specs and your energy requirements, so take this with a grain of salt NO WARRANTY  See what the more experienced gents have to say

 John T 

 

I have a Chevy 6.0 L gas engine.  The alternator looks pretty small.  I tried to attach a picture but I couldn't get it small enough with out compromising the quality too much.  We don't have a lot of energy requirements.  2 6 volt deep cycle batteries meet our needs, but just barely.  

If the engine charges the 6 volt batteries I have while driving, wouldn't it do the same for the lithium batteries without a DC to  DC charger?

On 7/29/2023 at 9:17 AM, oldjohnt said:

The answer DEPENDS. First on your house battery capacity and charging requirements (how many charging amps for how long ?? Is it the ONLY means of charging house batteries with engine running ?? Any rooftop solar when driving to help ??)  Second on the size of your alternator and how much you are willing to draw from it without risking over working it. Typical sizes may be 20, 40 or 60 Amps and its absolutely necessary your wiring, connectors and overcurrent protection be adequate and proper. Consult the manual. PS I don't like a control scheme that activates the DC to DC the instant the engine starts, I prefer to give the engine battery some time to recharge and stabilize BEFORE drawing say 30, 50, to 70 or more Amps from the engines alternator to charge the house batteries.

  If you need BOTH and aren't already partly equipped  ?? it makes wiring easy. Lots of choices bells n whistles out there. A pass through hybrid sounds inviting with all sorts of choices limits and control schemes, it's fun spending your money lol

John T

I'm glad to help you spend money vicariously through me.   I'm planning on installing 2 200 amp/hr. lithium batteries.  My truck is the only means of charging the batteries with the engine running.  No rooftop solar - yet.  I have a 600 watt inverter already installed but want to upgrade that.  The more I think about it, keeping the units separate makes more sense for us.  Not sure about the limits of my truck alternator.  Where can I find that information?

Keep the ideas coming, keeping in mind, funds are limited.

Thanks for the replies.  I will definitely be checking out the 12 Volt Side of Life.  The combination inverter/charger seems like a good idea.  I have a suitcase  160 watt solar panel with the controller on the back.  I have seen DC to DC chargers with various amp ratings.  How many amps should I be looking for?  Thanks again for all the advice.

We do quite a bit of boondocking.  I'm not well versed in the electrical side of things, though.  Right now we have 2 6-volt deep cycle batteries that will get us through the night, but just barely.  I would like more storage than I currently have.  I don't want to add 2 more 6 volt batteries due to the weight.  If I get 2 200ah batteries, how much longer will that last vs the setup I have?  I know I have to change the charger if I go this route.  Is there another option?  Anything else I should be thinking about?

Thanks.

Thanks to the collective wisdom here.  I was looking at a fifth wheel toy hauler and the salesman was telling me about how me truck could haul a much heavier fifth wheel unit than a trailer.  I learned long ago never to trust a salesman.

Long bed

4WD

Single rear wheels

Thanks, guys.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

6L engine

6 speed automatic transmission

4.10 rear end

Crew cab

Thanks

I looked at the VIN Decoder for my Chevy Silverado 3500 regarding towing capacity.  I'm confused, to say the least, and am hopeful the knowledge here can help decode this.  Here are the towing weights as listed on the print out:

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
5000 lbs  5000.0 min  5000.0 max

Wt Distributing Hitch _ Max Trailer Wt.
8800, 13300, 9200, 13700 lbs  8800.0 min  22600.0 max

Fifth Wheel Hitch Max Trailer Wt.
8800, 13300, 9200, 13700 lbs  8800.0 min  22600.0 max

What's the maximum I can tow?  I was looking at a fifth wheel unit and I know what the salesman told me.  I don't trust RV salesmen, with apologies to any on the site.  Thanks for any input.

When we finish up  our time at the Bolivar Flats, this rig is going to need a bath, with the salt air, sand and all that.  I see truck washes on our travels.  Is that an option for RVers or is there another option?  Thanks.

1 hour ago, Kirk W said:

Welcome to the Escapee forums! We are here to help and will do our best. You may want to share a little more about yourself and your RV as we could then give better information.

Be very careful in where you take the RV on beaches as it can be a very serious problem if you should get stuck in the sand. Remember that wet sand is much more solid to drive on then is dry sand and avoid spinning your drive wheels. 

We have a 34 ft. travel trailer pulled by a Silverado 3500.  This is a new experience for us and I'm sure we'll screw some things up, but we're trying to limit the number of screwups. 

Freecampsites.net is a good tool.  Thanks, AI F.  I have looked at Campendium before.  Also a good tool.

We're getting ready to start our first boondocking experience in Bolivar Flats, Tx.  We'll then be heading down to San Padre Island and then Arizona.  Where do fellow boondockers get fresh water for your stays?  Any other thoughts will be appreciated.  Thanks.