Chev Silverado Under Seat Battery Box

12/05/2026 12:00AM

Chev Silverado Under Seat Battery Box – The Cleanest Dual Battery Setup for Touring & Power Management

Modern touring setups demand more power than ever before.

Whether you’re running a fridge, charging camera batteries, powering camp lights, using Starlink, or running a coffee machine off-grid, dual battery systems have become essential for serious touring and daily usability.

But there’s one major problem many Silverado owners run into:

Most under-seat battery systems look messy, require cutting or drilling, and sacrifice practicality.

That’s exactly why CTO Industries designed its own under-seat battery box system specifically for the Chev Silverado platform.

Designed in-house, manufactured locally in Australia, and engineered to retain factory practicality, this system delivers a clean, professional power solution for both the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 platforms.

From hidden mounting hardware to integrated Victron Energy compatibility, this setup has been built for people who actually use their trucks properly.


Why Silverado Owners Need a Better Dual Battery Solution

Image: This image is a Victron dual battery setup in a Chevrolet Silverado.

Modern US trucks are becoming serious touring platforms across Australia.

With massive towing capabilities, comfortable interiors, and huge aftermarket support, Silverado builds are now commonly used for:

  • Caravan towing
  • Off-grid touring
  • Remote work setups
  • Long-distance family travel
  • Weekend camping builds
  • 12V accessory power systems

The challenge is finding a battery system that doesn’t ruin the interior layout of the vehicle.

Many aftermarket systems:

  • Require drilling into the cab
  • Create bulky, exposed mounting systems
  • Lose factory storage areas
  • Interfere with jack and wheel tool storage
  • Look unfinished or cluttered

CTO Industries wanted something cleaner.

Something that looked factory.

Something that could be removed easily without permanently modifying the vehicle.

And most importantly, something designed specifically around how Silverado owners actually use their trucks.


Designed In-House for the Silverado Platform

Image: This image is a custom CTO Industries under-seat battery box for Silverado trucks.

Instead of adapting a generic battery tray to fit the Silverado, CTO Industries designed this under-seat battery box specifically for the platform.

The result is a system that integrates properly into the rear seating area while maintaining functionality and clean presentation.

Key design features include:

  • Suits Silverado 1500 and 2500 models
  • Hidden mounting hardware
  • No drilling or cutting required
  • Mounts to factory mounting points
  • Retains factory practicality
  • Locally manufactured in Australia
  • Designed for easy serviceability
  • Pre-drilled for Victron components

The goal wasn’t just to fit batteries under the seat.

The goal was to build a professional-grade electrical platform that touring owners could rely on long-term.


No Drilling, No Cutting, No Butchering

One of the biggest advantages of this setup is that installation does not require modifying the cab.

That means:

  • No cutting factory carpet
  • No drilling into the floor
  • No damaging factory trim
  • No permanent modifications

The battery box mounts directly to existing factory mounting points inside the vehicle.

This provides several major advantages:

Easier Installation

The install process is significantly cleaner and faster compared to custom-fabricated systems.

Better Long-Term Reliability

Factory mounting points are engineered to handle load properly, reducing the risk of movement or vibration issues over time.

Improved Resale Value

Because the vehicle isn’t permanently modified, owners maintain better resale value and can return the vehicle to factory condition if required.

OEM-Style Appearance

The system integrates neatly beneath the rear seat without looking like an afterthought.

That clean finish is one of the things that separates CTO Industries from many generic dual battery solutions currently on the market.


Hidden Hardware Creates a Cleaner Finish

One of the standout features mentioned in the install walkthrough is the hidden hardware design.

Many battery systems end up looking like a “Meccano set” once installed.

Exposed brackets, visible bolts, uneven mounting points, and messy cable routing can quickly make an expensive build look unfinished.

CTO Industries approached this differently.

The under-seat battery box has been designed to:

  • Conceal mounting hardware
  • Keep wiring organised
  • Create a professional appearance
  • Improve accessibility for maintenance
  • Deliver a factory-style finish

This is especially important in modern premium trucks like the Silverado, where owners want performance and functionality without sacrificing interior presentation.


Built Around Victron Energy Components

One of the biggest advantages of this battery box system is that it’s designed specifically around high-quality Victron hardware.

The system shown in the installation includes:

  • Victron DC-DC charger
  • Victron battery monitoring
  • Victron lithium battery
  • Victron solar charger
  • Victron inverter system

This creates a fully integrated power management solution.

Victron 50A DC-DC Charger

The setup features a 50 amp DC-DC charger that communicates through Bluetooth.

Using the Victron app, users can monitor:

  • Input voltage
  • Charging rate
  • State of charge
  • Output performance
  • Charging limits

One major advantage is adjustability.

If a user only wants 30 amps of charging instead of the full 50 amps, settings can be adjusted directly through the app.

This level of control is ideal for modern touring setups where power demands can vary significantly.


Advanced Battery Management System (BMS)

Battery health is critical in any touring setup.

The system includes integrated battery management functionality that helps protect the lithium battery from:

  • Overcharging
  • Excessive discharge
  • Voltage irregularities
  • Temperature-related issues

The BMS communicates with the battery to ensure long-term reliability and safe operation.

This is especially important when running high-powered accessories like:

  • Inverters
  • Coffee machines
  • Fridges
  • Lighting systems
  • Starlink setups
  • Portable induction cooking
  • Power tools

Clean Cabling and Labelling

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between a quality electrical install and a poor one is cable management.

CTO Industries places huge emphasis on neatness and serviceability.

During the walkthrough, Blake specifically highlights the meticulous wiring and dyno-labelled cabling.

Benefits of proper cable management include:

  • Easier troubleshooting
  • Improved reliability
  • Cleaner presentation
  • Better safety
  • Faster servicing

Every cable is clearly labelled so owners or technicians can quickly identify circuits if maintenance is ever required.

This attention to detail is one of the reasons professionally built electrical systems outperform cheaper DIY alternatives long-term.


Anderson Plug Integration

The setup also includes multiple Anderson plug connections for flexibility and modularity.

The system includes:

  • Grey Anderson plug
  • Red Anderson plug
  • Blue Anderson plug

Each serves a different function.

Grey Anderson Plug

Used for DC-DC charging input.

Red Anderson Plug

Dedicated solar input for portable solar blankets or hard-mounted panels.

Blue Anderson Plug

Supplies auxiliary outputs to the tub area.

This modular design means the entire system can be disconnected quickly if required.

It also simplifies upgrades and future modifications.


200Ah Victron Energy Lithium Battery

The system shown in the install features a 200Ah lithium battery from Victron.

This provides substantial off-grid capability for touring setups.

Benefits of lithium batteries include:

  • Faster charging
  • Reduced weight
  • Higher usable capacity
  • Longer lifespan
  • Improved efficiency
  • Better voltage stability

Through the Victron app, users can monitor:

  • Battery charge levels
  • Power consumption
  • Charging input
  • System performance
  • Battery health

This allows owners to monitor the entire electrical system directly from their phone.

As mentioned in the walkthrough, it means you can literally sit by the campfire with a beer and monitor your system remotely.


Dedicated Solar Charging Capability

The system also includes a dedicated solar controller.

This allows owners to:

  • Run portable solar blankets
  • Connect fixed solar panels
  • Expand off-grid capability
  • Charge while stationary

The featured setup uses a 15 amp solar charger, allowing simultaneous charging from:

  • Solar input
  • DC-DC charging
  • Vehicle alternator

This is ideal for extended off-grid touring where consistent battery charging is critical.


2000W Inverter Capability

One of the standout features of this setup is the inclusion of a 2000 watt inverter.

This massively expands what owners can power while travelling.

Potential applications include:

  • Coffee machines
  • Kettles
  • Microwaves
  • Hair dryers
  • Camera charging
  • Laptop charging
  • Power tools
  • Small appliances

The inverter can also be wired directly to GPO outlets throughout the vehicle if required.

Future expansion options include:

  • Rear tub GPOs
  • Cabin-mounted outlets
  • External power outlets
  • Caravan charging integration

This flexibility makes the system highly adaptable for different touring styles.


Retaining Factory Practicality

A major feature that sets this battery box apart is retained practicality.

Unlike many competing systems, this setup still allows storage of:

  • Factory jack
  • Bottle jack
  • Spare wheel tools

Everything remains hidden neatly beneath the seat.

That means owners don’t lose critical storage functionality just to fit a dual battery system.

For touring vehicles, maintaining practicality is essential.

Storage space matters.

Every square inch counts.

This design ensures owners retain usable space while gaining serious electrical capability.


Auxiliary Outputs in the Tub

To finish off the build, the vehicle also received one of CTO Industries’ custom 3D-printed tub outlet brackets.

These brackets can include combinations of:

  • Anderson plugs
  • USB ports
  • Cigarette sockets

The featured build includes:

  • Anderson outlet
  • USB outlet
  • Cigarette socket

This creates a highly functional rear tub power setup perfect for:

  • Fridges
  • Camp lighting
  • Device charging
  • Portable compressors
  • Accessories

The modular bracket system also allows customers to customise layouts depending on their touring needs.


Australian Designed and Manufactured

Another major advantage of the CTO Industries system is local manufacturing.

The battery box is:

  • Designed in-house
  • Manufactured locally
  • Built specifically for Australian touring conditions

This means better:

  • Quality control
  • Product support
  • Fitment accuracy
  • Long-term durability

Australian touring conditions are harsh.

Corrugations, heat, dust, vibration, and heavy loads can destroy poorly designed electrical systems.

Building locally allows CTO Industries to maintain tighter quality standards while continuing to refine the product through real-world use.


Why Professional Electrical Installs Matter

There’s a huge difference between a professionally engineered dual battery setup and a rushed install.

A proper setup delivers:

  • Improved reliability
  • Safer operation
  • Better charging efficiency
  • Easier troubleshooting
  • Cleaner appearance
  • Future expandability

Poor installations often lead to:

  • Voltage drop issues
  • Overheating
  • Loose wiring
  • Premature battery failure
  • Electrical faults
  • Difficult servicing

CTO Industries focuses heavily on clean workmanship and system design because reliability matters when you’re remote touring.


Perfect for Touring and Off-Grid Adventures

This under-seat battery system is ideal for:

  • Caravan towing setups
  • Long-distance touring
  • Off-grid camping
  • Work vehicles
  • Remote travel
  • Family touring builds

With modern touring setups demanding more power every year, properly integrated electrical systems are becoming essential.

Whether you’re charging devices, powering appliances, or running a full touring setup, having a professionally designed electrical foundation makes a huge difference.


Build Your Adventure with CTO Industries

If you’re looking for a cleaner, smarter, and more practical dual battery solution for your Silverado, CTO Industries has developed a system designed specifically for real-world touring.

From hidden hardware and factory mounting points through to Victron integration and future expansion capability, this setup delivers serious functionality without compromising practicality.

Whether you’re building a weekend touring rig or a full off-grid adventure truck, the CTO Industries under-seat battery box provides the perfect platform for reliable power management.

For quotes, fitment options, or more information, contact CTO Industries today.

1300 647 547
sales@ctoindustries.com.au