Time Delayed or Proportional Brake Controller for a 2001 Chevy Silverado 2500HD

Question:

I have a 2001 Silverado 2500hd with tow package. which is best timed controller or proportional controller? Also in the ads it states adaptor is included but then it states purchased separately, which is it? I have the adaptor that came with tow package but it has 5 wires and only 2 of them are 10 ga. other three look like 18 ga. and one of them the black one is ground.

asked by: William G

Helpful Expert Reply:

Proportional brake controllers are the way to go...

A time delay controller is so named because there is a delay between the time that you initially apply the brakes in your tow vehicle and the time that the controller reaches maximum power output. Unlike a proportional brake controller, which activates your trailer's brakes based on the deceleration of your tow vehicle, a time-delayed controller sends power out in the same way, with the same gradual delay, no matter the braking situation. Although this delay always exists, it can be adjusted by changing the sync setting.

A time-delayed brake controller doesn't rely on internal parts to sense braking motions of the tow vehicle. This allows you to mount the controller at any angle.

Every time you apply the brakes in your tow vehicle, a signal is sent to the brake controller. The controller then sends voltage back to the trailer brakes to power them at the level set by the user and at a rate chosen by the user.

The amount of braking power and rate of application (how quickly the power ramps up) can be adjusted to fit personal preference, road conditions, type of trailer, and size of the load. To determine which levels are best for your application, you must test out your towing setup and choose what feels best.

A proportional brake controller senses when and how your tow vehicle brakes with an internal inertia-based sensor. This sensor responds to the deceleration of your tow vehicle as you brake by signaling the controller to send out enough power to your trailer brakes so that they are activated with an intensity that matches. The result is uniform braking across your towing setup. No push-pull action - just smooth, proportional braking every time.

For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup.

Since you have the tow package on your 2001 Chevy Silverado you would only need the install harness part # 3025-P with the controller. Depending on how you land on the product pages sometimes the product pages will have multiple products on it and hitting add to cart basically just adds both or you can visit the part's pages individually and add them that way.