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Adding factory brake controller

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redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted
On 3/16/2022 at 4:16 PM, wfbray67 said:

What kind of idiot company sell a truck with the trailering package that doesn’t include the trailer brake. 
GM sells the aftermarket trailer brake on my Chevrolet.com. 
total B.S.

Just the ones that realize some only pull trailers with either no brakes or with surge brakes that don't use/need a brake controller. 

 

They do offer a brake controller thru GM accessories.

 

It's not the same as the 'factory installed' version, but they do have an alternate.

 

 

What I ever understood is why someone would spend as much as these trucks cost to order or buy a truck without ensuring it has the features they require.  Money to burn I guess.

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Smoothbassman
Smoothbassman

It's possible to get the factory one installed. I got mine done on my 2019 Trail Boss. It was 300 bucks with the parts labor and software included at my dealer. The wiring is already there for LT

newdude
newdude

Guys and gals.  Its pretty cut and dry.   The Factory Integrated Trailer Brake Controller CAN'T.  BE.  ADDED.      

It's Tim
It's Tim

This is to advise you that, if the vehicle does not have the option (RPO JL1), it cannot be added to the vehicle.    They still won't get it.... 😉

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newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 7/28/2022 at 5:14 PM, Ryan Roberts said:

Does anyone have a resolution on the factory controller issue.  I installed and it is not working  - 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom (Trail Boss)

 

 

If its not from the factory, you can't add it.  Plain and simple, cut and dry.

 

Aftermarket is your only route.  

 

https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/228166-adding-factory-brake-controller/?do=findComment&comment=2515979

Edited by newdude
Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

Posted
Posted
On 8/2/2021 at 1:23 PM, CML said:

Just got off the phone with the local Chevy dealer. parts department can order the brake controller kit from Chevy $370.00 

installed. They did need the last 8 digits of the VIN number, which leads me to believe it is not available on all trim levels, but I could be wrong. also the computer have been jail broken, (you have to send them your computer, they allow you to make about 3 changes, and it cost about $1,200 bucks.) or you can stack an aftermarket computer to allow you to make all the changes you want. This is how they are adding turbo's, and nitrous to the Vettes.  

I'm sure you will find out that its a GM accessory add-on version and is not the JL8 Factory Installed Model.   A friend had one installed by dealer and he insisted it was the factory version.  Its was notspacer.png

  • 1 month later...
Joseph Shinaberry New Member

Joseph Shinaberry

Posted
Posted
On 9/10/2019 at 9:20 AM, UncleDave said:

Nope. The only option is an aftermarket controller.

 

Although, I suppose it would be *possible* if you are willing to tear apart half the truck, and replace several wiring harnesses and modules, and maybe the instrument cluster, and then hope that GM will give you the unlock codes for reprogramming. Which is another way of saying, nope, not possible.

Fake news 

 

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted
30 minutes ago, Joseph Shinaberry said:

Fake news 

 

 

 

Its not.  You can't add the factory integrated controller.  Period.  

  • 2 months later...
Bmax57 New Member

Bmax57

Posted
Posted
On 9/17/2019 at 9:45 AM, Smoothbassman said:

LT trucks have all of the wiring already there for all of the features you find on an LTZ truck. The dealer can install it. They have to flash the computer to get the system to turn on once the hardware is installed. 

 

The WT and Custom trucks do not have the wiring already there. 

I figured the OEM controller could be installed but everyone is saying it's impossible. I think it's a matter of finding someone willing to help. Maybe GM is telling their teams not to help, or they just don't have the talent available everywhere. Do you still have the number to the dealership that helped you?

 

Bmax

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newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 11/24/2022 at 3:24 PM, Bmax57 said:

I figured the OEM controller could be installed but everyone is saying it's impossible. I think it's a matter of finding someone willing to help. Maybe GM is telling their teams not to help, or they just don't have the talent available everywhere. Do you still have the number to the dealership that helped you?

 

Bmax

 

 

It is not doable.  GM has plenty of documentation stating its not.  They can't flash a computer, install the switch, none of it.  

 

Edited by newdude
Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

Posted
Posted

Integrated

with various parts or aspects linked or coordinated.

 

integrated electronics

[′in·tə‚grād·əd i‚lek′trän·iks]

(electronics)
A generic term for that portion of electronic art and technology in which the interdependence of material, device, circuit, and system-design consideration is especially significant; more specifically, that portion of the art dealing with integrated circuits.
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  • 8 months later...
walkywoo New Member

walkywoo

Posted
Posted

GM parts guy here, If it didn't come with it from the factory then you cant install a factory one. You can get the accessory curt trailer brake control but I've been told buy numerous Techs here that it's not possible. Make sure The truck youre buying has the features you want because a lot of the time you cant add them after the fact on these new trucks. Power folding tow mirrors being another example.

  • Thanks 1
newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, walkywoo said:

GM parts guy here, If it didn't come with it from the factory then you cant install a factory one. You can get the accessory curt trailer brake control but I've been told buy numerous Techs here that it's not possible. Make sure The truck youre buying has the features you want because a lot of the time you cant add them after the fact on these new trucks. Power folding tow mirrors being another example.

 

 

The GM PI about this is on Page 3 of this thread.  Was posted 2 years ago.  

 

 

Edited by newdude
Delta Tango Enthusiast

Delta Tango

Posted
Posted

i went thru this whole mess way back in 2014 with a brand new Z71 Sierra. The sales guy said "just buy the in-dash GM controller and you will have integrated trailer brakes".

 

NO! There was even a separate ECU needed. I had the bracket, but not the ECU.

 

My only recourse at the time was to buy an under dash Techonsha P3 controller and a GM harness P/N: 23184088.

 

A long time has passed and I'm not sure if The General builds 'em where they can accommodate this type of set up anymore?

 

But I can tell you that if the factory installed integrated trailer braking feature ever screws up, you possibly will have a vehicle down situation?

Using the P3 controller and if it screwed up, the biggest problem would be to figure out which garbage can to throw it into. One just needs to buy another controller (after troubleshooting why it screwed up in the first place) and snap it back into the under dash bracket. At least you won't need to get to rely on a dealer for all of that!?

  • 1 year later...
Flatus Enthusiast

Flatus

Posted
Posted
On 7/30/2022 at 7:52 AM, newdude said:

 

 

If its not from the factory, you can't add it.  Plain and simple, cut and dry.

 

Aftermarket is your only route.  

 

https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/228166-adding-factory-brake-controller/?do=findComment&comment=2515979

Is this still the case on a 2025 Custom TB, still can't add a factory controller? I was looking at a 2025 TB today that was ordered without a brake controller. Thinking about trading my HD in on it but this would be a deal breaker if they can't add a factory controller.

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Flatus said:

Is this still the case on a 2025 Custom TB, still can't add a factory controller? I was looking at a 2025 TB today that was ordered without a brake controller. Thinking about trading my HD in on it but this would be a deal breaker if they can't add a factory controller.

 

 

Can't do it.  

  • Thanks 1
silveradosid Senior Enthusiast

silveradosid

Posted
Posted

sorry newdude but just because GM is unwilling to help, there is a way to add this feature. the wiring harness has to be in the truck and then there is a way to do it with GM's own software. the problem is it is very complicated and if you screw up the process it will cost a lot of money. it is easier to just go aftermarket

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted

GM has brake controllers available, at their accessories site, for the 2025 1500 Custom TB.

Just not the factory one.

 

 

 

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