Factory Brake Controller - After the fact with Tow pkg

[2016 Sierra Owner]

Sorry for asking what might seem like a dumb question but I don't know much about trailer brake controllers. How do I tell if I have one built in? I do have the 7 pin connection on the back and I have the trailer control thing above my 4x4 switch.

 

The trailer brake controls slider and buttons will be just above the headlight switch if you had this option installed already. The trailer connector and hitch are part of the towing package.

[PMattras]

I feel if you order the trailer package the factory control brake should be included even if it cost a little more. GM does the package with the 6.2 and eight speed transmission for under $2,500 extra. Just doesn't make sense for an extra few hundred dollars to keep it separate.

[Arnoldthepig]

Not that I want or need a brake controller at this time but what if you bought the gm trailer brake controller assembly and wired it to the aftermarket brake controller port under the dash using the wire that was supplied for an aftermarket brake controller hookup. Any thoughts?

[TJay74]

Wont work, the GM controller is built into the BCM. The part on the dash from what I have seen only turns it on and adjust the bias.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

I feel if you order the trailer package the factory control brake should be included even if it cost a little more. GM does the package with the 6.2 and eight speed transmission for under $2,500 extra. Just doesn't make sense for an extra few hundred dollars to keep it separate.

Because most people buy the 6.2 to tow with. If your splurging for that cost why not add it as standard. Some people just plain don't need it. I've had trucks since I been driving (about 24 years now) and have never towed anything with my trucks. I even owned an 2500HD. Plus all my trucks have had tow packages since I choose from dealer stock.

[PMattras]

Because most people buy the 6.2 to tow with. If your splurging for that cost why not add it as standard. Some people just plain don't need it. I've had trucks since I been driving (about 24 years now) and have never towed anything with my trucks. I even owned an 2500HD. Plus all my trucks have had tow packages since I choose from dealer stock.

I don't get it. If you don't tow why get the towing package? You are just wasting money. If you order the towing package the factory brake should be included. It would only be a few hundred dollars in a package deal and this option should be for people who want or plan to tow. Why call it a towing package without the brake. If you just want a hitch you can always put one on for far less money than getting the towing package. Just doesn't make any sense.

[redwngr]

Somes of people only tow things with surge brakes. Need the hitch and light hookup, but don't need a brake controller.

 

Others only tow trailers with no brakes. Again need hitch and lights, but no brake controller.

 

And some (like my FIL) remember when factory brake controls were crappy compared to aftermarket models and continue to want to use their favorite aftermarket brand.

 

Stuff is optional because everyone has a different idea of how 'they should make them all'. Come to think of it it's probably why there is more than one color, more than one cab type, more than one tire size, etc, etc, etc...

[2016 Sierra Owner]

I don't get it. If you don't tow why get the towing package? You are just wasting money. If you order the towing package the factory brake should be included. It would only be a few hundred dollars in a package deal and this option should be for people who want or plan to tow. Why call it a towing package without the brake. If you just want a hitch you can always put one on for far less money than getting the towing package. Just doesn't make any sense.

All my trucks I've bought have been from dealer stock. The tow package was ordered by the dealer that way. Around here almost all trucks are ordered with a tow pkg. I guess I could have asked the dealer to remove it and get a credit? But I buy the most truck I can afford to comfortably pay and if it has that on it already I'm good I with it.

[Sierra Boy]

All my trucks I've bought have been from dealer stock. The tow package was ordered by the dealer that way. Around here almost all trucks are ordered with a tow pkg. I guess I could have asked the dealer to remove it and get a credit? But I buy the most truck I can afford to comfortably pay and if it has that on it already I'm good I with it.

I think it adds to the trade in value as well so why not think ahead?

 

Sierra Boy

[tnchevy]

I rarely tow much of any thing but when I do it is usually small utility trailers but that may change down the road so that is why I want a tow package in my truck, wether I can justify it or not. Myself along with 95% of the people who buy full size trucks don't really work them and in my case I just want one so that is why I drive them. I get paid to beat the crap out of half ton trucks on old logging roads during the day so all that is out of my system when it comes to my personnel truck.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Around my area, I don't think I have ever seen a 4x4 GM truck, Silverado or Sierra on a dealership lot without a tow hitch from the factory.

It's actually difficult to find a dealership that has a new GM truck without a towing package, Tahoe & Yukon models are the same way, they all have them.

The only pickup I have ever noticed that was missing a hitch were the "SS" models. Oher than that, you get the tow package around here.

I also noticed that so far, all of their Colorado & Canyon models on the lots have the tow packages as well.

 

I am in an area of PA where the natural gas drilling business is booming. Since the gas companies have moved in, dealerships also have a lot more white pickups than any other color because that's what color those guys drive. Looks funny to see a dealership with almost half of their pickup inventory in white.

They also seem to buy them by the truckload. It's actually funny being at the dealership and having a big wig gas guy come in and want 5 or 6 Silverados. The dealership actually has a seperate service shop that deals with lettering and decals for their trucks.

 

 

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[Chris]

 

 

Around my area, I don't think I have ever seen a 4x4 GM truck, Silverado or Sierra on a dealership lot without a tow hitch from the factory.

It's actually difficult to find a dealership that has a new GM truck without a towing package, Tahoe & Yukon models are the same way, they all have them.

The only pickup I have ever noticed that was missing a hitch were the "SS" models. Oher than that, you get the tow package around here.

I also noticed that so far, all of their Colorado & Canyon models on the lots have the tow packages as well.

 

I am in an area of PA where the natural gas drilling business is booming. Since the gas companies have moved in, dealerships also have a lot more white pickups than any other color because that's what color those guys drive. Looks funny to see a dealership with almost half of their pickup inventory in white.

They also seem to buy them by the truckload. It's actually funny being at the dealership and having a big wig gas guy come in and want 5 or 6 Silverados. The dealership actually has a seperate service shop that deals with lettering and decals for their trucks.

 

 

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using Tapatalk

The hitch was actually standard on the SS, so they were removed on the ones you saw. But now it is uncommon to see an 07 or newer without a hitch. My 04 dodnt have one, but i have yet to see any 2014 without and only a coule 2007-2013 pickups without

[PMattras]

I think it adds to the trade in value as well so why not think ahead?

 

Sierra Boy

All the trucks I had in the past the dealership told me to remove the hitch. I also removed the hitch before going to the dealers to get a better price on the trade in. I was told buyers are afraid of engine, transmission and hard use issues when they see a hitch on a vehicle. The same way with a snow plow on a used vehicle. I feel it could hurt the resale value on the trade in.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

All the trucks I had in the past the dealership told me to remove the hitch. I also removed the hitch before going to the dealers to get a better price on the trade in. I was told buyers are afraid of engine, transmission and hard use issues when they see a hitch on a vehicle. The same way with a snow plow on a used vehicle. I feel it could hurt the resale value on the trade in.

 

The plow brackets I could understand, but a hitch hurting resale value? I don't think so. Especially since now every truck and SUV basically comes standard with a hitch and trailer hookups. Some people used to not like the look of a huge hitch but being that they have hidden type hitches you only see the tube that the receiver goes into so it's not a big deal anymore. Plus trucks are made to be able to tow, I don't think you can even get a truck (at least a GM) without at least a trans cooler. I could be wrong, just what I've noticed. The only thing I would worry about if it had a hitch would be a car, but that's it.

[PMattras]

The plow brackets I could understand, but a hitch hurting resale value? I don't think so. Especially since now every truck and SUV basically comes standard with a hitch and trailer hookups. Some people used to not like the look of a huge hitch but being that they have hidden type hitches you only see the tube that the receiver goes into so it's not a big deal anymore. Plus trucks are made to be able to tow, I don't think you can even get a truck (at least a GM) without at least a trans cooler. I could be wrong, just what I've noticed. The only thing I would worry about if it had a hitch would be a car, but that's it.

If you saw two used trucks (same trucks and mileage & equipment in all ways) on the dealership lot with one with a trailer hitch and the other without a trailer hitch - which one would you buy or pay a little more?