OEM Brake Controller

[thewhitestallion]

I don't even know why a trailer brake controller isn't standard today on even the most basic trucks. Mine does not have one either and it pisses me off I need to go through the trouble of installing something that should be as OEM on a truck as a set of Tires!

 

because it cost money and would add to the base price of a truck. yeah it's not much but if they just made everything that people wanted standard people would be saying "why the hell did they put a trailer brake controller thingy-ma-jig on my truck I don't ever use it... it's ugly and I wish they didn't put it in there..." so yeah it's just an option

 

when I ordered my truck I specifically made 100% sure that it was on the truck. and if I was buying off the lot I would not buy a truck that did not have It.

[Ventilator]

It was a $230 option, and although I don't know if I'll ever be trailering anything big/heavy enough that would require it, I got it just in case. $230 extra on a $45,000 vehicle is a drop in the bucket, in the grand scheme of things. I mostly just pull a small trailer for hunting trips out West, the quads, and my zero turn mower.

 

I do agree that it should be part of the Trailering Equipment Package we pay extra for though.

 

My salesman said if you think you may want it, get it, because the factory controller could not be added later. I guess he was right?

[Spurshot]

Everybody wants all kinds of things on their truck. Nobody wants to pay more for their truck. GM has put so much stuff on these trucks that I may never use some of them.

 

What if GM said they'd put the brake control harness in every truck for $100 more? I think it'd piss off more people that would never buy the controller to install. There are far more people with trucks that don't tow than do.

[Ventilator]

Everybody wants all kinds of things on their truck. Nobody wants to pay more for their truck. GM has put so much stuff on these trucks that I may never use some of them.

 

What if GM said they'd put the brake control harness in every truck for $100 more? I think it'd piss off more people that would never buy the controller to install. There are far more people with trucks that don't tow than do.

 

 

I agree that in some areas that may be the case, but they don't have to buy the trailering package either. I just think it should be included in the trailering package.

 

Not all trucks have the trailering package, but I have yet to see one on the lots around here that don't. I guess it is probably dependent on your geographical location? Up until a month ago, I never even seen a 2014 in 4x2, and that one was probably special ordered? It was a regular cab Silverado. I don't think the dealers around here even bother ordering any 4x2 trucks to just put on the lot for the first year anyway, because I have yet to see one on a dealers lot.

 

Here (MI), everyone wants the trailering package, 4x4, CC or DC. Well except that one guy! LOL Lots of snowmobile, ATV, boat/jet ski, lawn care, campers, farm equipment/wagons and other trailers to be towed around here.

[Crooks]

As said, if you have the JL1 trailer package you would have the controller. Your only options is after market, GM will send you the harness for free I believe.

I bought a harness off ebay for $15 at the beginning of the year. GMC just sent me one out of the blue last week.

[PMattras]

It can't cost GM too much to make the brake controller brake (GM equipment) a plug and play for later use if you get the trailering package. The dash is already cut out for it. They do provide a wire (extra cost) for an off market controller and a slight tweak to the computer/brake system maybe nothing if it is seen when you plug it in. It just doesn't make any sense to count pennies on an expense truck when people get this option for pulling trailers. There are many things (options) you get later that are plug and play. GM could make additional money selling and installing this item as well. I just don't think GM gets it unless Ram or Ford does it first. In some areas they are a few steps behind what customers want.

[MikeNH]

I know you can't install the OEM brake control if you do not have it (JL1) but GM should have the necessary wiring etc. it in place if you decide to but in an OEM brake control later. Especially if you order the "trailering package". Most of the vehicles on the dealer's lots don't have it or the vehicles are delivered without the OEM brake controller. The slight cost difference could be added into the trailering package. It should be a plug and play option.

I don't know how much more clear I can be:

 

If you do not get the truck with the OE brake controller factory installed, it is impossible to add. Period. There are significant differences between the OE unit and aftermarket. The wiring for it does NOT exist on non-equipped trucks.

[Daryl LBZ]

I don't know how much more clear I can be:

 

If you do not get the truck with the OE brake controller factory installed, it is impossible to add. Period. There are significant differences between the OE unit and aftermarket. The wiring for it does NOT exist on non-equipped trucks.

I think he's suggesting that GM offer to have the wiring already there so it can be added later by the future owner if they would like to have it. Plug and play basically.

[PMattras]

I think he's suggesting that GM offer to have the wiring already there so it can be added later by the future owner if they would like to have it. Plug and play basically.

 

That is correct as noted in my previous replies. I don't know how more clear I can make it..

[TJay74]

Because not all people want a brake controller, I didn't want it on my truck but the dealer ordered the truck this way and it was the only way to get the 6.2L truck in the time frame I wanted other than ordering it myself.

 

This will make most people sick, I removed my controller, put it behind the dash and put in the dash panel with the cubby hole in it. That's how dedicated to the fact that I will never tow a trailer with a brake system on it while I own this truck.

[Spurshot]

LOL...If mine came with a controller, I'd never have lifted a finger to change it.

[PMattras]

I put in an after market brake controller for about $85 (good sale) but I would have preferred a GM brake controller (even through it cost more money) any day because I feel it is a more cleaner look inside the truck. I wish I had this" option" after purchasing the truck. Chevy would wait for Ram or Ford do it first before they would consider this option. I got a great deal on this truck and didn't want to order one.

 

By ordering the brake controller (OEM) with the truck, the up front cost is so minor when you are working up the numbers before you purchase the vehicle. I never pay sticker price anyways and I do not care what items are listed on the sticker. I just don't see this is an area you can save big money when you purchase a vehicle even if you don't need it. Everything said, it would have only cost me maybe about $100 to $150 on the high side. People that don't want it, don't order the trailering package or have the option to not put it in or put it in later if the proper wiring was installed etc. I feel these small little items is where Chevy just don't get it except their concern for their bottom line. Most truck people do like more adaptability especially when they are paying big money on these trucks.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

Unfortunately their is a whole list of options that people think should be standard. I know there is a thread on here already. If all of those options were made standard on every truck we would all be driving High Countrys or Denalis around. Then again not everyone has the cash to pay for all those options so you have to draw the line somewhere. I wanted the sliding window in my truck It however is paired with the driver alert package which I did not want. I'm glad I did not get that package now.

[SouthCo]

OP, like a few others have stated the P3 is a good brake controller. I use one and it is really easy to install.

[chuckl1218]

OP, like a few others have stated the P3 is a good brake controller. I use one and it is really easy to install.

Used one with my 2011 Silverado. The Proportional braking is the way to go with these newer trucks since it matches the anti lock brake systems.