Wiring and Brake Controller Installation on a 2016 Chevy Express Van

Question:

Hello, I have a 2016 Chevrolet Express without the factory tow package. I plan to haul a 28 foot travel trailer approximately 7500 lbs. across the country early next year. I know that I need all the necessary wiring and a brake controller, too. So far, my shopping cart includes part #s 118392, ETBC7, 39510, and 20127 not sure why I need this last one, but the site automatically added it when I looked at brake controller 39510. What do you think of these ions? I see that the Prodigy P2 brake controller is often recommended by etrailer, but I would like to save some money on that if the Voyager 39510 is still a good pick. Do I need anything else to complete the install? Thank you,

asked by: Zach M

Expert Reply:

You are definitely on the right track with parts # 118392, # ETBC7, # 39510, and # 20127 in your cart. I really only have one extra part that I believe you will need to add - part # 10-2-1 which is extra wire for the # ETBC7. It gives you extra feet of the wiring (depending on the quantity you enter) that you will need for the brake controller and 12V power for your 7-Way.

Although the Prodigy P2 # 90885 is a great brake controller, the Voyager, part # 39510 is not a bad controller itself. The main great thing about it is that it is a proportional controller so it will activate the brakes on your trailer at the same time and with the same intensity that you are pressing the brake pedal in your 2016 Chevrolet Express Van.

The pigtail part # 20127 is needed when splicing in a Tekonsha brake controller. It plugs into the connector on the back of the Voyager and the wires will plug into the following functions:

White - Ground
Blue - Brake Controller Pin on 7-Way
Black - Battery
Red - COLD Side of the Stop Light Switch (only gets hot when brake pedal is pressed)

If you do not already have a Circuit Tester # PTW2992 I recommend getting one of those as well. It will help you to find the COLD side of the Stop Light Switch for the install.

I have attached some helpful articles and videos that you can use as references for the install.