2015 Silverado - Trailer Brake Controller

[Afalconsvick]

Hi everyone,

 

I have a Silverado 1500. I am buying a bass boat soon and need advice on a trailer brake controller. I have the 6 and 4 pin hook ups.

 

I remember when looking for trucks I saw some had it and some didn't. It wasn't a big concern of mine then, but now I am going to need it. What are my options for adding one now? It easy or should I get it done at a shop?

[Silverado Steve]

Factory integrated trailer brake is a pain if not impossible and expensive to do. You are going to have to go an aftermarket route.

[jono20]

Considering that GM sells this is an accessory for the 2017s, adding the factory controller probably isn't a simple task:

 

 

[powerhaulic]

Boats don't usually have electric brakes.

 

Surge brakes are the norm, and 5 pin connectors to go with. The fifth pin is reverse to disable braking so it is easier to back up.

[Lgetz]

Not going to be easy or cost effective to add the OE trailer brake controller. Recommend a Tekonsha P3 controller instead. Here is a link showing where another member mounted his:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/uploads/monthly_12_2015/post-127843-0-77143200-1448998330.jpg

[Donstar]

If your trailer does require you to have a brake controller get the accessory as indicated by jono20. It will save you a lot of looking around and ending up with the same conclusion! (imo!)

[tnchevy]

If you are towing a bass boat then it probably won't have electric brakes so no need for a brake controller.

[redwngr]

Boats don't usually have electric brakes.

 

Surge brakes are the norm, and 5 pin connectors to go with. The fifth pin is reverse to disable braking so it is easier to back up.

^^^ this!

 

 

I use one similar to this for the boat: https://www.curtmfg.com/part/57251

 

(can't recall which brand mine is....)

 

The electric brake equipped trailers I tow all have round 7 blade connectors.

[DanY]

I thought that GM trucks without the factory installed brake controller came with

a wiring harness to hook up a GM accessory brake controller.

 

A couple of years back people were asking about a bagged wiring harness that

they found in the glove box of their new truck.

[sk]

Already covered in previous threads. It CANNOT be added. You will need to go aftermarket. The harness that DanY is talking about is what you need to make the wiring easy but it will be an aftermarket controller mounted somewhere under the dash, not the factory OEM one.

[Donstar]

I am getting the GM recommended brake controller installed this morning at my dealer. I was told it is up to me where to locate the unit. Any advice?

[Lgetz]

Just make sure it's placed somewhere you are not banging it with your knee or leg. Hated the placement on my 05 2500HD right leg would nearly always hit it. Sold truck and it became someone else's problem.

[Krusty]

I am getting the GM recommended brake controller installed this morning at my dealer. I was told it is up to me where to locate the unit. Any advice?

 

Just make sure it's placed somewhere you are not banging it with your knee or leg. Hated the placement on my 05 2500HD right leg would nearly always hit it. Sold truck and it became someone else's problem.

 

 

I have a knot on my right knee to prove that location is not good after 10 years of driving the 2007.5 Duramax with an added on controller. God bless America and my Max Tow with built in controller, tow mirrors and back up camera! Love the DIC screen for showing brake gain adjustment.......

[Donstar]

 

 

 

I have a knot on my right knee to prove that location is not good after 10 years of driving the 2007.5 Duramax with an added on controller. God bless America and my Max Tow with built in controller, tow mirrors and back up camera! Love the DIC screen for showing brake gain adjustment.......

I totally agree with the advantages of a factory installed brake controller. It was a sacrifice I made at the time of purchase. So if you wanted to minimize knee damage, should i favor the right or left side of the steering wheel?

[Krusty]

I totally agree with the advantages of a factory installed brake controller. It was a sacrifice I made at the time of purchase. So if you wanted to minimize knee damage, should i favor the right or left side of the steering wheel?

 

Mine was on the right - no clue if left would be better...........