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Adding GM factory trailer brake controller

McClain210

By McClain210
in Modifications & Accessories

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pgamboa
pgamboa

I’ll be adding the factory TBS to mine. Once I have the time. Lol. I’ve got the modules ready to go (to get programming done) along with my cluster. There are 2-3 modules, programming, and wiring

aseibel
aseibel

From what I've heard, the factory controller can't be added later. Need to look at aftermarket controllers.

pgamboa
pgamboa

Nope. Not yet. Module still with WAMS. No free time Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Posted Images

TinkeringFox Enthusiast

TinkeringFox

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, pgamboa said:


Nope. Not yet. Module still with WAMS. No free time :(


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Free time? Nope, that’s time you’re essentially paying for! Can’t wait to hear the good news....I mean confirmation that I’ll be spending more money on another upgrade!

  • Like 1
  • 2 weeks later...
Bucknasty Enthusiast

Bucknasty

Posted
Posted

Following this as I want to install one in mine but I like the factory look

  • 4 months later...
rbrjr1 Enthusiast

rbrjr1

Posted
Posted

since I haven't seen a pgamboa video about this subject on YT, I assume it's still a touch further down on the upgrade list..

pgamboa Senior Enthusiast

pgamboa

Posted
Posted
since I haven't seen a pgamboa video about this subject on YT, I assume it's still a touch further down on the upgrade list..

Yup. WAMS has my cluster and TBCM and CCM. Still trying to get them to communicate.


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  • Like 1
rbrjr1 Enthusiast

rbrjr1

Posted
Posted

Yup. WAMS has my cluster and TBCM and CCM. Still trying to get them to communicate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It seems bizarre to me that GM would make something like this so complicated when an aftermarket box can be added so simply (at the cost of major aesthetic points).

Especially when it seems every vehicle with any of the tow package RPOs appear to have the all the hardware to make it happen.. (save the dash switch).
pgamboa Senior Enthusiast

pgamboa

Posted
Posted
16 hours ago, rbrjr1 said:


It seems bizarre to me that GM would make something like this so complicated when an aftermarket box can be added so simply (at the cost of major aesthetic points).

Especially when it seems every vehicle with any of the tow package RPOs appear to have the all the hardware to make it happen.. (save the dash switch).

Yep.  There are 2-3 modules that are specifically for trailer brake.  So those items are omitted...even though some of the dash harnessing is present.  

  • 4 months later...
swathdiver Senior Enthusiast

swathdiver

Posted
Posted
On 2/6/2019 at 7:03 PM, az-4x4 said:

Looks like it can be done now. I'll be trying this out in a month or two.
 

 

This is for a replacement, not adding something that wasn't there before.

On 11/13/2019 at 5:17 AM, rbrjr1 said:


It seems bizarre to me that GM would make something like this so complicated when an aftermarket box can be added so simply (at the cost of major aesthetic points).

Especially when it seems every vehicle with any of the tow package RPOs appear to have the all the hardware to make it happen.. (save the dash switch).

Not bizarre, it's INTEGRATED whereas the other ones are not.  One gets features not usually available with an aftermarket controller, especially from 2012 on. 

No Tyme Senior Enthusiast

No Tyme

Posted
Posted

I have a question that I can't seem to find the answer to... My RV that I would be towing does NOT have ABS brakes, but the truck would have (most likely, as I am currently without a truck). 

The question is... would the integrated TBC have any advantage over say an aftermarket TBC if the truck I purchased did not have it installed from the factory?

swathdiver Senior Enthusiast

swathdiver

Posted
Posted
On 4/12/2020 at 10:44 AM, No Tyme said:

I have a question that I can't seem to find the answer to... My RV that I would be towing does NOT have ABS brakes, but the truck would have (most likely, as I am currently without a truck). 

The question is... would the integrated TBC have any advantage over say an aftermarket TBC if the truck I purchased did not have it installed from the factory?

Yes, check the owner's manual of the truck you're looking at for specifics.  ITBC controls sway and the brakes on the trailer during sway for example.

  • 1 month later...
Pinky Z71 New Member

Pinky Z71

Posted
Posted (edited)

Stock controller can't be added later which is lame ...I went with the Redarc controller too, for the remote control ...here's my version

 

 

IMG_20200401_181503.jpg

Edited by Pinky Z71
  • 2 months later...
Necroman99 New Member

Necroman99

Posted
Posted

Gents, at the risk of being sounding dense.  I want to confirm that i cannot just purchase and plug in the new dash piece and controller head?  I bought a tekonsha and was wiring it up and took my dash apart and lo and behold theres the harness for it!  The presense of the harness does not prove that im good to go?

JimCost2014 Senior Enthusiast

JimCost2014

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Necroman99 said:

Gents, at the risk of being sounding dense.  I want to confirm that i cannot just purchase and plug in the new dash piece and controller head?  I bought a tekonsha and was wiring it up and took my dash apart and lo and behold theres the harness for it!  The presense of the harness does not prove that im good to go?

Welcome to the site.

 

No sir, the brake controller is a factory option, and is set up in the ECU, BCM, and so on, it can not be added after the fact. 

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