Recommended Trailer Brake Controller and Wiring for 1998 GMC Suburban

Question:

I am buying a travel trailer next week with brakes and want to be able to tow it with my 98 GMC suburban k1500 4x4. I have a functional 4 flat trailer connector as I could use the plug and play hopkins adaptor that plugs into the factory harness at rear of vehicle. Not sure if I have a factory tow included on this 2nd hand vehicle. It has the heavy duty reciever hitch and a small auto tranny cooler, but not sure if that was after market. I know there is a rpo codeinch I might be able to locate in glove box to help to figure out is there is a hidden 7 pin at rear of vehicle so I could plug in a curt 55774 part and then just buy the prodigy p3 brake controler and be able to find a plug in for the brake controller under dash?? I am thinking I will need your ebtc7 kit and will have to hard wire a bunch of this in as described in a utube video I found online you made for a 99 gmc suburban Can you help me figure out what I need to get brake controller and 7 pin functional for my application?

asked by: Marcia

Expert Reply:

For your 1998 GMC Suburban that already has a 4-Way installed at the rear bumper, you will indeed need the Universal Wiring Kit # ETBC7 that you mentioned in your question. This kit will include everything needed to install a fully functional 7-Way from your existing 4-Way connector. I have attached an article that details the installation steps for this kit that you might find helpful. I have also attached an installation video on the 1999 Suburban that you can use for reference.

For the brake controller itself, the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 that you referenced is an excellent choice. This is our most popular brake controller because of how easy it is to operate and how reliable it is. This proportional controller will activate the brakes in your trailer at the same time and with the same intensity that you apply to them in your Suburban.

There is not a plug-in adapter available for your vehicle, so you will just need to hardwire the controller's pigtail directly to the vehicle.

expert reply by: Chris R