2020 Silverado brake controller

JON Weber · January 20, 2022

I’m purchasing a 2020 Silverado, it says it has the towing package

ive seen videos of people installing the OEM brake controller

but the dealer I’m buying from says it will not work unless it’s factory installed
the plug in the “hole” were the switch goes has wires connected to it

if it has the wires to that location

and it has the 7 pin round plug , shouldn’t it be ready for the controller to be installed??

3 different dealers and none seem to know

everyone says must use an aftermarket controller

voided3 · January 21, 2022

If you search the forum, I have seen several threads about this. Knowing that everything on these trucks in controlled by a computer, however, I would imagine the difficult part would be programming the OEM brake controller to work. We have the factory integrated brake controller on ours and it gives you trailer brake gain readouts in the dash cluster when making adjustments and alerts when brakes are connected and disconnected, so it is very much "integrated." Even installing factory fog lights on these trucks requires an activation code from GM so the body control module knows what to do with them.

If it were me, I would seek out an aftermarket controller as the installation is very simple (check out etrailer.com for options). Your truck is pre-wired with a connector under the dash for you to plug it in, and you can always mount it using something like 3M Dual Lock (the stronger version of Velrco) if you don't want to drill holes in your dashboard trim.

newdude · January 21, 2022

15 hours ago, JON Weber said:

I’m purchasing a 2020 Silverado, it says it has the towing package

ive seen videos of people installing the OEM brake controller

but the dealer I’m buying from says it will not work unless it’s factory installed
the plug in the “hole” were the switch goes has wires connected to it

if it has the wires to that location

and it has the 7 pin round plug , shouldn’t it be ready for the controller to be installed??

3 different dealers and none seem to know

everyone says must use an aftermarket controller

It can't be done. The videos end with the result of it can't be done. It is only a factory ordered and installed option.

You have to go aftermarket, no other way. Read below.

Quote

#PIT5828A: Adding Integrated Trailer Brake Controller RPO JL1 - (Dec 6, 2021)

Subject: Adding Integrated Trailer Brake Controller RPO JL1

Involved Region or Country

North America

Condition

Some customers may request the factory Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (RPO JL1) be installed on their Full-Size Pickup or SUV when the vehicle was not ordered with the option.

This is to advise you that, if the vehicle does not have the option (RPO JL1), it cannot be added to the vehicle.

Edited January 21, 2022 by newdude

JON Weber · January 21, 2022

Thanks for the updates and information

does anyone know if the OEM controller could be wired into the plug provided for the aftermarket controllers ?

I know it won’t display in the info center on the dash or work with/through the computer

but would it work as an “aftermarket “ controller?

Edited January 21, 2022 by JON Weber

newdude · January 21, 2022

37 minutes ago, JON Weber said:

Thanks for the updates and information

does anyone know if the OEM controller could be wired into the plug provided for the aftermarket controllers ?

I know it won’t display in the info center on the dash or work with/through the computer

but would it work as an “aftermarket “ controller?

No.

JON Weber · January 21, 2022

I find it hard to believe that they would “rough in “ the wires behind the “plug” where the OEM controller is mounted but you can’t add the controller added and then flash it to the computer.

why would GM waste the money to put the wires there???

shakenfake · January 21, 2022

1 hour ago, JON Weber said:

I find it hard to believe that they would “rough in “ the wires behind the “plug” where the OEM controller is mounted but you can’t add the controller added and then flash it to the computer.

why would GM waste the money to put the wires there???

Cheaper to build one wire harness than it is to build 8 different variations.

Ioniq MPG · January 21, 2022

Added the TOW-PRO ELITE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER, and put the knob in the factory blank location. It is better than the factory unit IMHO. I would post photos, but she is at the dealer sitting on ice. Very easy install.

newdude · January 21, 2022

4 hours ago, JON Weber said:

I find it hard to believe that they would “rough in “ the wires behind the “plug” where the OEM controller is mounted but you can’t add the controller added and then flash it to the computer.

why would GM waste the money to put the wires there???

Because they are stupid. That harness is there for the control switch, the issue is the chassis harness. They build versions of the chassis harness with and without JL1 brake control. So, the wiring and connector for the trailer brake control module isn't even there to start with.