Bypass 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 Factory Brake Control to Tow Trailer w/Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes

Question:

Thank you for getting back. I did ask if I could put a underdash control. Gmc said I would have to disable the built in controller and it would turn off the abs break system. So if I buy an brand new unit will it work with my truck ???? And how much $$$$$ and is it guaranteed to work with my truck which is a 2016 GMC 3500 HD. I wont rant about a dumb thing to do to a truck. So you have to update anything your pulling that has breaks Well maybe I did a little

asked by: Mark M

Expert Reply:

You can bypass the factory integrated brake controller on your 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 without disconnecting it thus leaving everything intact. If you go with an aftermarket brake controller that is compatible with electric over hydraulic brakes then it will absolutely work. You can still also pull trailers with regular electric brakes by switching the mode on the brake controller.

First, for a brake controller the P3 # 90195 does have an electric over hydraulic mode so it is a great option. You will also need wiring harness # 3016 to plug the controller into the truck. Since you need to bypass the factory controller though you will need to cut the blue wire at the plug on 3016 on the end that plugs into the truck. Then you will need about 20 feet or so of wire # 10-1-1, sold by the foot.

Connect one end of wire 10-1-1 to the blue wire coming out of the brake controller. The other end will need to go through the firewall and back to the back of the 7-Way trailer connector on the truck. Avoid areas that can pinch or burn the wire when routing it.

At the back of he 7-Way where the wires attach remove the wire that is currently in the 7 o'clock position. Tape it up and stow it out of the way. Replace it with the wire that you ran.

Another option is using an adapter with the electric over hydraulic actuator. There are some actuators that can be used with factory brake controllers when using an adapter. If your actuator is a Titan BrakeRite EHB use # DX35FR. If it is a Titan BrakeRite SD use # T4845900. And if it is a Gen 6 or newer HydraStar system you can use # HBA-CAM if the actuator is one of the following:

Models HBA-10 with serial number 313800 or higher
Models HBA-12 with serial number 705700 or higher
Models HBA16 with serial number 506100 or higher
Models MHBA-10, MHBA-12, and MHBA-16
Models HBA-10V, HBA-12V, and HBA-16V