Recommended Electric Brake Controller for a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500 Towing a Tandem Axle Travel Trailer

Question:

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew Cab,,,I need to know the recomended Brake Controller as well as any wiring nesscary to hook it up...I will be pulling a two axle travel trailer...I would like to use a proportional controller...thx

asked by: Larry G

Expert Reply:

The # 90885 Tekonsha P2 brake controller would actually be a great choice for your 2000 GMC Sierra. This unit is proportional, and works for up to 8 trailer brakes.

You may have received a factory pigtail with your truck, usually stashed in the glove compartment. If so, you would only need the brake controller itself, as you would use this factory wiring, connected to the pigtail included with the P2, to plug the brake controller into your vehicle. The factory wiring might not match exactly up to the P2 wire colors, but they should be labeled. All you need to do is match the two pigtails up, function to function.

The four brake control wiring functions are:

White: Ground wire.
Black: 12v lead wire.
Blue: Electric brake signal wire.
Red: Stoplight switch, this wire would have a power reading when the brake controller is pressed, but would have none when it is released.

If you do not have this factory wiring, you could get the # 90885 and wiring harness # 3025-P. This will give you a brake controller and custom fit plug and play wiring harness for your Sierra.

If your truck is not equipped with a 7-Way plug, you would also need item # PK11898 to complete your wiring. Trucks with a round plug with a cap instead of a bundle of wires above the spare tire would instead use part # 30955.

Two connections would also need to be made underneath the hood, if your truck does not have a factory 7-Way plug. To do this, you will remove the bracket in the corner that is closest to the driver side to access the accessory fuse block. Once you reveal the fuse block, you will remove the top and lower covers to access the two wires, which will be next to the block and on the cab side.

The red wire, which is the 12v wire for the brake controller, will have a ring terminal on it. Use the ring terminal to connect this wire to the closest positive post. You will also need to install a 30amp fuse in the block, in the port closest to the positive post.

The blue wire will have a plug on the end. Clip off this plug and connect the blue wire to the blue electric brake wire from the brake controller.

I recommend taking a look at our FAQ on installing a brake controller on a 1999-2006 GMC truck, as it has some close up pictures that should be helpful for you. I am also including some links to general information on brake controllers.