Jump to content

Factory trailer brake controller versus aftermarket

Scott P

Recommended Posts

Scott P Enthusiast

Scott P

Posted
Posted

I am getting very close to buying a leftover 2014 Sierra and am getting hung up on one stupid option, the integrated trailer brake controller. This is my first truck and I plan on keeping it for several years. I don't have anything to tow right now, but I do anticipate getting a 20-something foot camper within the next year or two. So, I will probably need a trailer brake controller or some sort.

 

I like the look of the factory integrated controller. I like that it is tied into the Stabilitrak system (as I have been told). But, I am finding it not present on many trucks that I am finding. I know I can install an aftermarket controller like a P3, but then i'd have a box under the dash where it would look tacked on and possibly be something to ram my knees into all the time.

 

My question basically is this. How valid are my concerns. Aside from the stabilty connection, they are pretty much cosmetic. For those that went aftermarket, how does it look? Does it get in the way or look simply tacked on?

ChrisNJ Enthusiast

ChrisNJ

Posted
Posted

IMO, don't sweat it. It's more important to get the truck you want. In my case a 6.2 SLT, which is/was hard to find. My last '11 had the integrated unit and it worked great. However, I finally found the '14 truck I wanted and it didn't have it, so I just put in my old Prodigy in and it works great too. I can remove it with a plug, so I never even notice it.

It is pretty dumb, IMO, for dealers not to order this with the majority of trucks.

giantrules Enthusiast

giantrules

Posted
Posted

I installed an aftermarket controller. My truck has the Z82 option which makes installation a breeze and you are wired up for a 7 pin. I would suggest that option if possible but like ChrisNJ said...get the truck you want.

Scott P Enthusiast

Scott P

Posted
  • Author
Posted

IMO, don't sweat it. It's more important to get the truck you want. In my case a 6.2 SLT, which is/was hard to find. My last '11 had the integrated unit and it worked great. However, I finally found the '14 truck I wanted and it didn't have it, so I just put in my old Prodigy in and it works great too. I can remove it with a plug, so I never even notice it.

It is pretty dumb, IMO, for dealers not to order this with the majority of trucks.

 

I never thought about removing it when not needed. That is a great idea. I think I could figure out a way to make it easy enough to remove with minimal work. So the wires just plug into the back of the unit?

Ventilator Senior Enthusiast

Ventilator

Posted
Posted

For the $230 it cost to have as an option, I made sure it was in my truck. I currently don't haul any trailer with brakes, just small utility trailers, etc,. But, I don't plan on working for the rest of my life either, and a small travel trailer could be in my near future.

 

If you are looking for a leftover, it may be a little tougher finding one in the vehicle you want, but surely not impossible. See if your dealer can locate one and do a dealer trade. They are out there, but the pickins will get slimmer and slimmer from here on out with the end of model year incentives.

 

I got the exact truck I wanted, and you should too.

ChrisNJ Enthusiast

ChrisNJ

Posted
Posted

 

I never thought about removing it when not needed. That is a great idea. I think I could figure out a way to make it easy enough to remove with minimal work. So the wires just plug into the back of the unit?

My old Prodigy has a quick disconnect plug on the back, and the unit mounts in a holder, I don't know the P3 unit. So the holder stays down on the right near my knee, and I just tuck the truck-connected wires up. I store the Prodigy in the center console. I really wouldn't even notice it, physically, if I left it installed, I just don't like that it lights up even when not in use, so I just remove it.

Scott P Enthusiast

Scott P

Posted
  • Author
Posted

What are the benefits of the integrated one being tied to the Stabilitrak system? I figure if I am towing the potential camper in weather conditions that may warrant Stabilitrak kicking in, I'd probably be driving carefully already. I am in Houston, so snow is not an issue. Will sudden stops or lane changes cause it to kick in?

EXSlider400 Senior Enthusiast

EXSlider400

Posted
Posted

And for whatever it's worth, 2014's that do NOT have the integrated factory trailer brake controller still have anti-sway control when towing.

Did not know this..i thought if it didn't have the built in controller to communicate with bcm and the braking systems it could not. Interesting though. I guess it could go through the tow/haul mode.

 

I still say get it and I like mine.

chuckl1218 Senior Enthusiast

chuckl1218

Posted
Posted

And for whatever it's worth, 2014's that do NOT have the integrated factory trailer brake controller still have anti-sway control when towing.

Yes, the truck has anti-sway, but the integrated brake controller extends it to integrate with the trailer's brakes as well, I believe.

bert wise Enthusiast

bert wise

Posted
Posted

Hi there

 

I've just completed a 3 week, 5,000 km trip towing a 8,500lb 28 ft trailer with my 14 CC with max tow (which includes the integrated brake controller). I did the same trip 10 years ago with a 3,500lb 21 ft trailer and a 2000 Astro van with an aftermarket, time-based brake controller. I LOVE the integrated brake controller. Braking was so smooth it was difficult to tell that I had a trailer behind me. With the previous aftermarket controller I always had to worry about long braking distances and locking my trailer tires. Not once on the recent trip did I have that concern. For me, I will not go back to an aftermarket controller.

 

Bert

Crf450r420 Enthusiast

Crf450r420

Posted
Posted

The factory one is great. Get it unless you can't wait. The price is very reasonable for a factory option. It's like it's not even there unless you needed it. Adjustment is done in the DIC. You won't use that part of the dash for anything else anyways.

DaveInPickerington Enthusiast

DaveInPickerington

Posted
Posted

My 2014 has the built in controller. I have also used the Prodigy P2 and P3 in previous vehicles. They all perform the same. Both Prodigys slip into a holder and are easy to disconnect and move out of plain sight.

 

I do like the built in controller because the "emergency braking paddles" are easy to reach without looking down to where an aftermarket unit would need to be mounted.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • asilverblazer
      Intermittent no-code issues on 2022.5+ V8 trucks — what did the shop fail to capture?

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      Length/amount of data capture will be important to consider, sifting through 5 minutes of a data log can be enormous when it is stored in milliseconds. Being able to find the 'event' let alone decipher it.   Presumably the driver would notice something and hit a button to capture the 'window' of data. That window has to be large enough for the operator to recognize the event and react accordingly.    The data has to be able to be retrieved easily.   The data has to be able to be understood. Which is the biggest challenge, dealer techs won't even know what most of it is and would likely not even look at it if an owner brought it to them. Meaning the owner, the least educated/qualified, trying to understand it.    How will the data be presented? Could specific PIDs be selected and a timelapse graph be watched? How will a specific value be noted as abnormal? Additionally, a good data logger would be able to 'learn' normal values for a specific vehicle and flag abnormalities automatically. It could in theory watch parameters degrade over time and suggest maintenance as needed. (If the MAF reading begins tapering off for a given set of other readings - MAP, throttle position, Ambient, etc.. a flag to check air filter.) With the amount of data available, a device (really the vehicle rather than an additional accessory) should be able to do more than issue a DTC. It should be able to run the full diagnostic suite automatically and present a solution rather than a code. (It's not the 90's anymore). The technology is available for the vehicle to not just say "P0087", it should know low fuel pressure, check other PIDs to narrow down the problem itself, and determine if it is a lift pump, high pressure pump, regulator, leak in the fuel line, clogged filter, etc. Even if it can't narrow it down, it should be able to guide the user to the likely problems.   This would be a major problem for dealer service departments, which are the manufacturers customers it is in their collective best interest to NOT have this available to the consumer.   Further, if the owner is going to be the primary consumer of the data, it's got to be at a consumer price point vs. dealer only specialty tool price.   This group is more 'involved' in their vehicle than general public/consumer and will have knowledge, experience, needs and desires that are quite different from the market at large.   
    • KARNUT
      OCI, not when but why?

      By KARNUT · Posted

      I put the prof up. If you read what I posted. You can see that housing, cars and income are in line with the era we were talking about. It’s harder in some places easier in others. Let’s agree to disagree and put this back on track, OK? We both are pretty stubborn and hard headed. But I bring receipts. If you wish I will not respond to you in the future. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Lets see if I can sum up two pages of nothing useful.    You want to refute your own governments data of the "Purchasing Power" Index FOR THE ENTIRE USA and its territories replacing it with the experience of a single family and its business and label that reality?  Then pound on that for a week hoping it will find traction?    Stan, I've told you several times. I don't do irrational. There are more people in the USA than your family.    I'm pretty sure this tread is so blown up. I'll give you a few days or months if need be to post yourself silent then I'll see if I can find enough parts of the train to reassemble it. 
    • asilverblazer
      VSE CCV Bypass - Anyone have this installed in their L5P?

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      Facebook groups hate VSE, poor customer service; their responses to criticisms are pretty poor for a reputable company. I'm not a customer, haven't bought anything from them, but how they handle themselves on social media is a definite "No" for me. 
    • asilverblazer
      Transmission Woes :-(

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      $10,000 for a transmission?   Pretty sure I could buy all the parts, tools, and education to rebuild it myself for a quarter of that amount.   or swap it out with a new one...

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...