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Brake Controller Adapters

kendamn

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kendamn Enthusiast

kendamn

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I have searched and can't find if there is a brake controller adapter that plugs in under dash like my '04 did for the 2008 Sierra? I have the tow package but not the factory controler.

 

Thanks

jwstewar Enthusiast

jwstewar

Posted
Posted
I have searched and can't find if there is a brake controller adapter that plugs in under dash like my '04 did for the 2008 Sierra? I have the tow package but not the factory controler.

 

Thanks

 

Starting with the new '07 body styles you don't do the plug-in harness like you did on the previous generations. There is a group of 4 wires up under the dash that you will have to pull down and direct wire your brake controller in to. I just did this with my Suburban.

 

Here is one set of instructions: etrailer Here are the directions that I used to install mine: stealthrv

c4cruiser Enthusiast

c4cruiser

Posted
Posted
I have searched and can't find if there is a brake controller adapter that plugs in under dash like my '04 did for the 2008 Sierra? I have the tow package but not the factory controler.

 

Thanks

 

Starting with the new '07 body styles you don't do the plug-in harness like you did on the previous generations. There is a group of 4 wires up under the dash that you will have to pull down and direct wire your brake controller in to. I just did this with my Suburban.

 

Here is one set of instructions: etrailer Here are the directions that I used to install mine: stealthrv

 

 

 

It seems stupid that GM stopped using a plug for a trailer brake controller harness but at least the wires are still there. With the earlier trucks that came with a towing package GM gave you a harness with the plug on one end and a fuse for the 12v power lead.

 

My 08 came with the factory controller so I didn't have to do anything. But I had to go buy the 12v fuse. That's pretty cheap on the part of GM.

jwstewar Enthusiast

jwstewar

Posted
Posted

One of the problems with the harness was people losing them. When I bought my truck new (I ordered it), it wasn't with my truck. I picked it up 2 hours after it came in on the truck. Dealership had to find me one as I was planning on hooking a brake controller up the next day. The other thing is buying a used truck. Typically the previous owner wouldn't leave them in the glovebox, so then you had to order one. Actually it was a 2 step process before. 1.) Wire the harness to the controller 2.) Plug the harness into the fuse box under the dash (and there were 2 it would fit) so you had to figure out which one. So all in all, I don't see where this way is any worse or any better. A little harder to hook the wires up because you have to do it in the vehicle, but at least you don't have to go buy a harness after it gets lost.

kendamn Enthusiast

kendamn

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Thanks. I can't believe I have to connect wires under the hood. This truck has been a real step backward from the '03 and '04 models that I have owned.

c4cruiser Enthusiast

c4cruiser

Posted
Posted
One of the problems with the harness was people losing them. When I bought my truck new (I ordered it), it wasn't with my truck. I picked it up 2 hours after it came in on the truck. Dealership had to find me one as I was planning on hooking a brake controller up the next day. The other thing is buying a used truck. Typically the previous owner wouldn't leave them in the glovebox, so then you had to order one. Actually it was a 2 step process before. 1.) Wire the harness to the controller 2.) Plug the harness into the fuse box under the dash (and there were 2 it would fit) so you had to figure out which one. So all in all, I don't see where this way is any worse or any better. A little harder to hook the wires up because you have to do it in the vehicle, but at least you don't have to go buy a harness after it gets lost.

 

When I bought my '99 from the local dealer, the harness was in the glove box. Typically, when a PDI is done on new trucks that had the tow package, there is a checkoff item for the harness.

 

I had bought a Prodigy controller and I wound up splicing the truck harness to the Prodigy harness so I was able to do that inside. With the Tekonsha controllers, they offer a complete harness for GM, Ford, Dodge, and Toyota trucks that have the prpper connectors at both ends. I didn't know about them at the time otherwise I would have ordered one. For the 99 it was all of $11.99.

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