Is a Circuit Breaker Needed for a Trailer Brake Controller on a 2003 Chevy Silverado Duramax 3500

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Question:

I have a 2003 Duramax 3500 - the previous owner did some very creative wiring in the rear trailer conectors and tail lamps. After repairing all of this today, I noticed that there is a 30 amp circuit breaker on the firewall - is this needed on this truck? It has a Tekonsha Voyager controller pluged directly into the box below the brake - I will use it if it will be advantageous, but I gues I really dont even know what a circuit breaker is used for. Thanks,

asked by: Nick V

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Expert Reply:

If the brake controller is connected to the 2003 Chevy Silverado tow package port (to the left of the brake pedal, second port from the left, top row) using Tekonsha Wire Replacement, # 3015-P, or a similar harness, and the truck came with a factory 7-Way, then the connection is already fused/circuit protected, so the brake controller will not need another circuit breaker.

It is possible that a 7-Way was added later and the wiring and circuit breaker you see are related. But, the 2003 Chevy Silverado has all the wiring for the tow package, there will just be a few connections that will need to be made under the hood. I have included a link to an FAQ article that explains the process for trucks that did not come with a factory 7-Way or did not have the tow package activated.

I am not sure what the 30 amp circuit breaker on the firewall is or was for, but you never know, you might need it sometime so I would just leave it there. Circuit breakers trip, or will not allow current to pass through, if there is a surge in power or a short circuit. It is designed, like fuses, to protect electronic equipment. Unlike fuses that have to be replaced once they blow, a circuit breaker can be reset.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

If those circuit breakers are indeed for the jack and the trailer brakes then they are likely redundant since the 12 volt circuit and brake circuit are already circuit protected on the vehicle side. Electric trailer jacks also usually have an…

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Answer 2

Discovering why the trailer brakes are not getting power will be a process of elimination. I am not aware of what you have and have not checked, so I will describe the whole troubleshoot process. Start with the brake controller itself. Is it properly…

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Answer 3

There are several ways that you can cut off the power to your trailer brakes. The easiest option would be to simply unplug your brake controller. If the brake controller is disconnected, the brakes will not receive power. If your brake controller was…

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Answer 4

The first error code, SH, you are seeing on the Prodigy Brake Controller (instructions linked below) means the brake wire sees a short circuit during idle condition. The second code, OL, indicates an overload condition during operation. For the first…

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Answer 5

There are a number of reasons why the brakes on your trailer may not be working. Lets start with the easiest things to check. First, check the vehicle and trailer connectors for corrosion. This can cause a short inside the connector and the brake…

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Answer 6

That will depend on the amount of brake axles your trailer has. . The 20 amp breaker like #9506P is for 1 and 2 axle brakes, and the 30 amp like part #38630 is for 3 and 4 axle brakes

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Answer 7

If you are using the Wiring Kit #5506 to install the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 #90885 then you will want to use the 30A breaker on the power wire for the brake controller. I have attached a helpful article and a picture that you can use for the…

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Answer 8

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 9

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 10

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 11

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

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Answer 12

To determine the size of the brake assemblies you need you have to measure the depth and width of the hub drum on the axle like what you see in the picture I attached. The most common size is 2-1/4 inch wide like the #T4071600-500 that you…

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Is a Circuit Breaker Needed for a Trailer Brake Controller on a 2003 Chevy Silverado Duramax 3500

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