Jump to content

Trailer Brake Controller

squireofgothos88
 Share

Recommended Posts

jeremyp Enthusiast

jeremyp

Posted
Posted
Just now, RadoPhan said:


Ok thanks for the heads up. I guess I’ll try it out and see and worst case buy another plastic cover if it’s too bright. Also, are the lights always on even if you’re not using it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes. The Blue light is on when there is no trailer connected. I'll take take a picture and post it later tonight.

  • Replies 50
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

jeremyp
jeremyp

I recently traded in my 2017 Sierra Denali for a 2020 Sierra Elevation that didnt have the factory brake controller. After some research, and my dealer's recommendation, I ended up putting in a Curt S

bkilx1
bkilx1

Factory unit can be installed by the dealer. Having one installed today on my 2019 Silverado with tow package. Cost is $224 installed.

eppieguy
eppieguy

No, it cannot. 

Posted Images

RadoPhan Enthusiast

RadoPhan

Posted
Posted
Yea I get that. Just wondering why they would run a wire and harness to that blank box if it cannot be used?  Doesn’t that wire go to something?
2B1E5ED9-6840-4B81-8931-B7C5DE39C77E.thumb.jpeg.65f663af785fd7a311d8fa93e18b94b6.jpeg

When you pulled the cover out, is there a slot on the left side to fish some wires through? About to install the trailer brake controller and wanted to know if I need to pull the bottom of the center dash off to get it to go through the side and over above the gas pedal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 5 weeks later...
RadoPhan Enthusiast

RadoPhan

Posted
Posted
Yes. The Blue light is on when there is no trailer connected. I'll take take a picture and post it later tonight.

So not sure if mine is different but mine is off when not in use but only 1 LED per side lights up blue when the brakes are pressed. Is that the same for you?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
RadoPhan Enthusiast

RadoPhan

Posted
Posted
Ask your dealer if they can put the factory controller in for you . If they can't it can't be done if they can you just have to figure out how they do it.
 

You have to get a new ECU/computer brain pretty much to make it work. So probably not worth the cost. I just installed the aftermarket Curt one at the same spot and it blends in well. Looks OEM and has fancy LEDs


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
davester Senior Enthusiast

davester

Posted
Posted

Just buying a new computer won't do it.  It needs to be programmed for your specific truck, and GM doesn't let the code for the TBC to be added to added to truck that didn't come with it as a factory option.

 

I don't know if this is possible, but if you/the dealer could find another truck, with the exact same configuration as your truck, but also with the TBC, then possibly the truck could be completely reprogrammed for that other trucks VIN, but then you could have issues down the road (go to another dealer and they reflash it using the original/correct VIN (or worse, only parts of the truck), or you get scanned for emissions and the tech notices the software has a different vin than the truck (which they probably would flag as an emissions problem, and possibly as being a potentially stolen truck/or with stolen parts).

nick242 Enthusiast

nick242

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, RadoPhan said:


You have to get a new ECU/computer brain pretty much to make it work. So probably not worth the cost. I just installed the aftermarket Curt one at the same spot and it blends in well. Looks OEM and has fancy LEDs


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any chance you could post a pic of the install? 

jeremyp Enthusiast

jeremyp

Posted
Posted

So not sure if mine is different but mine is off when not in use but only 1 LED per side lights up blue when the brakes are pressed. Is that the same for you?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes, that's EXACTLY the same way mine works.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

RadoPhan Enthusiast

RadoPhan

Posted
Posted
Yes, that's EXACTLY the same way mine works.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk


Ok thanks. Now I know what you mean. I drove the truck last night for the first time with it and it is bright. During the day it doesn’t bother me but for sure at night it could be annoying. I think I’ll unplug it in the meantime until I hookup a trailer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • Like 1
RadoPhan Enthusiast

RadoPhan

Posted
Posted
Any chance you could post a pic of the install? 

I didn’t take pics of install unfortunately. I installed it like the pic below. It’s pretty basic. I have the jump seat on my Trail Boss so here’s the steps I took.

1. Remove 7mm screw on the left side of lowest center dash panel. Pull panel towards the back of truck until clips release.

2. Next panel above that, use trim tool to pull each side towards the back of truck. This panel was more of a pain to do and it took a decent tug to release the clips. You will feel like it’ll break on you but it won’t. The key is pull both sides with the same even pressure.

3. Use trim tool to take off radio trim bezel. Then remove all torx screw from radio panel. This will loosen up the whole center dash. No need to unplug anything.

4. Push the blank cover from the front where it needs to be installed until it pops off, then pull the center dash far enough to grab the cover and unplug the wire that is connected to the cover.

5. Follow Curt instructions to drill cover and install all components including harness clip.

6. Reinstall cover with new controller knob. Clip the old wire back onto the cover so it doesn’t hang freely.

7. Reinstall everything back.

8. Find a place to mount the brake controller brain. I chose to hide it behind the lowest center dash panel with the 7mm bolt I mentioned earlier right next to the gas pedal. I then ran the wiring along the dash panels underneath the steering wheel vs behind the gas/brake pedals to avoid any interference with the pedals.

9. Plug in harness to factory plug located with all other plugs on the left side of the driver.

1413cb8882cf52900c12f564f1698c4f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
AlaskaErik Enthusiast

AlaskaErik

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, RadoPhan said:


I didn’t take pics of install unfortunately. I installed it like the pic below. It’s pretty basic. I have the jump seat on my Trail Boss so here’s the steps I took.

1. Remove 7mm screw on the left side of lowest center dash panel. Pull panel towards the back of truck until clips release.

2. Next panel above that, use trim tool to pull each side towards the back of truck. This panel was more of a pain to do and it took a decent tug to release the clips. You will feel like it’ll break on you but it won’t. The key is pull both sides with the same even pressure.

3. Use trim tool to take off radio trim bezel. Then remove all torx screw from radio panel. This will loosen up the whole center dash. No need to unplug anything.

4. Push the blank cover from the front where it needs to be installed until it pops off, then pull the center dash far enough to grab the cover and unplug the wire that is connected to the cover.

5. Follow Curt instructions to drill cover and install all components including harness clip.

6. Reinstall cover with new controller knob. Clip the old wire back onto the cover so it doesn’t hang freely.

7. Reinstall everything back.

8. Find a place to mount the brake controller brain. I chose to hide it behind the lowest center dash panel with the 7mm bolt I mentioned earlier right next to the gas pedal. I then ran the wiring along the dash panels underneath the steering wheel vs behind the gas/brake pedals to avoid any interference with the pedals.

9. Plug in harness to factory plug located with all other plugs on the left side of the driver.

1413cb8882cf52900c12f564f1698c4f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Should have installed an Autostop Eliminator while you had everything opened up.

  • Like 1
RadoPhan Enthusiast

RadoPhan

Posted
Posted
Should have installed an Autostop Eliminator while you had everything opened up.

I didn’t know they had that so good to know now. It wasn’t too hard to pull the dash out so I might just do that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
RVer New Member

RVer

Posted
Posted

According to local GMC dealer my aftermarket Tekonsha wont work with my 2019. there is no signal coming off brake pedal to controller to signal the trailer brakes to come on. Does that sound normal? They said I have to use the controller manually every time I want to brake

AlaskaErik Enthusiast

AlaskaErik

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, RVer said:

According to local GMC dealer my aftermarket Tekonsha wont work with my 2019. there is no signal coming off brake pedal to controller to signal the trailer brakes to come on. Does that sound normal? They said I have to use the controller manually every time I want to brake

I don't believe dealers.  My dealer told me I had to use the trailer controller pigtail that came with my 2016 LTZ and it would cost $200 to install.  I got a plug and play harness off of Amazon for a little over $20 and my P3 controller works just fine.  I suspect the same is true for the newer trucks.

RadoPhan Enthusiast

RadoPhan

Posted
Posted
According to local GMC dealer my aftermarket Tekonsha wont work with my 2019. there is no signal coming off brake pedal to controller to signal the trailer brakes to come on. Does that sound normal? They said I have to use the controller manually every time I want to brake

I haven’t towed yet but I would imagine it’ll work with the OEM harness that’s tucked under the dash near the steering column. The harness is gray and it has a dummy one plugged it with red markings on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • TheRiver
      6 Speed vs 8 Speed

      By TheRiver · Posted

      And to top it off finally.......................these small GM LS engines are designed to SPIN!!!!!  Why choke them down to just off idle for cruising.  Why/how the "bean counters" have influenced the "engineering department" at GM is beyond me.   They took a solid platform of an engine and turned into a joke in OEM form!!!
    • txab
      Gas Prices

      By txab · Posted

      Atlas,   Then following your logic we can't believe any story that the MSM produces? I mean it's documented they heavily donate to Democrat candidates. Vote Democrat in high percentages. Many MSM talents are married to Democrat politicians, Gov. employees. That goes for on-air and off, personalities and reporters. So they would all be biased and nothing they produce is to be believed in your mind?   Again the article simply was about ways AI can be used for pricing products. Nothing discounted current situations as a factor.    Again keep looking through your left/right lenses. I don't live my life that way.   And as a heads up this thread will be cleaned up again as much of this is off topic and is receiving 
    • StingerZ16
      Slate Electric Truck

      By StingerZ16 · Posted

      Yes, and only a couple years before delivery. 🙄
    • Grumpy Bear
      Slate Electric Truck

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      https://reotrucks.com/
    • Grumpy Bear
      Gas Prices

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      So you're saying toss the baby out with the bathwater? @txab posted article was her take on how AI can be used to manipulate pricing as it already does and has been rebuked by the judiciasry in housing. How AI can be and is used to maximize refinery or even Amazon operations all of which are true but because she is who she is; that makes what she says about what is true, false? Is that something akin to Pre-justice aka prejudice?    Look, I'm first in line to approach all information with caution just because we live in a world where people like to lie about someone or something with such a straight face and in such volume that it makes digging to the truth wearisome. Meaning I understand the skepticisms but if I were to toss out everything a person is for a view they hold then my pool of people to draw wisdom from would be non-existent and I'd be forced to reinvent the wheel daily. Not practical.    "Be innocent as a dove but as cautious as a serpent."    Test each word. Every good lie is part truth or no one would believe it. Find the truth in it and reject what isn't.    On this one, AI is being used to do what has been done by hand for hundreds of years already but at such speed, the point of a computer, that it is more easily monetized. This one wasn't that hard a lift.    I wrote a few formulas in a Lotus 123 program decades ago, a series of linked Macros actually, that allowed a daily inventory to be turned into a running P&L and production plan. Something that took three departments a week to assemble now took the time it takes to input the 'daily changes' in inventory. Later that was ungraded to the more powerful Excel program an and integrated with bar code scanning, inventory to supply was done once per shift. It had a huge impact on production scheduling, Seamless interruption flexibility, inventory error reduction, raw materials cost effective utilization and scrap reduction. Huge improvement in the bottom line. I spent months on that and AI could have done it in minutes. So yes, it not only can be used, they would be foolish to not try. The legality, ethics and morality are not the domain of AI. Humans need to keep a reign on it. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...