Brake Controller Installation on a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado With Factory Tow Package
Question:
I have a 2001 silverado with a factory tow package and a 4 wire trailer harness hooked up. I need to install a brake controller to haul a 29 camper. I only have 6 wires coming to the back of the truck from the harness so Im trying to determine what I need to get the 7-way harness installed. I havent bought a harness yet so Im open to suggestions. Will I need to run additional wire to the front of the truck as well?
asked by: Jeffrey M
Expert Reply:
To get a 7-Way connector at the rear of your 2001 Chevrolet Silverado you will need to use the Pollak 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector Socket w/ Wiring Harness, part # PK11898, if you have a bundle of wires above the spare tire.
I would recommend using a circuit tester like the Quickee Tester, part # PTW2993, and test the wires for function. This is how the wires should normally attach by color. The Red wire on the harness will attach to the yellow wire above the spare and is for the left turn and brakes. The Green wire on the harness will attach to the Dark Green wire above the spare and is for right turn and brakes. The Brown wire on the harness will attach to the Brown (or Blue) wire above the spare and is for taillights and the white on the harness goes to the white above the spare and is for ground. These wires are the standard 4-Way connections. The remaining 3 wires on the # PK11898 connector will be Blue for brake controller, Black for 12 volt power, and yellow for reverse lights.
The extra two wires on your vehicles harness should be a Light Blue wire which is for a Center High Mount Brake Light and the Black wire is for reverse lights or reverse lockout.
To make your brake controller functional you are going to need to run some Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire, part # 10-2-1, to the engine bay of your truck through the firewall. Once you get there you are going to need to remove the bracket in the corner lower cover of the fuse box. Next, you will want to locate the blue and red wires that are normally located next to the fuse block on the cab side. The blue wire has a plug on it, the red wire has a ring terminal on it.
Now, you will need to attach the black from the double bonded wire to the positive post which is the forward most power post with a 40-amp fuse to the black wire. You will need a 30-amp fuse to be installed into the location nearest the positive post to power the brake controller.
Now, you will need to clip the connector off of the blue wire and connect it to the white wire from the double bonded wire that you ran into the engine bay.
Next, you will need to run the double bonded wire that you ran through the firewall to the rear of your truck where you will finish the running the wires. To finish the wiring, you will need to connect the white (brake) and black (hot) to the blue (brake) and black (hot) respectively on the back of the # PK11898 connector.
I am including a link to a FAQ page on installing a brake controller on a Chevrolet or GMC truck. It will describe with pictures, the connections that are needed to be made under the hood.
Also, I am including links to videos that will show the installation of a brake controller on a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado.
Products Referenced in This Question
Deka Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot
- Wiring
- Wire
- Jacketed Wire
- 2 Wire
- 10 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Pollak 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector Socket w/ Wiring Harness and Mounting Bracket
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Vehicle End Connector
- 0 - 5 Feet Long
- Plug and Lead
- 7 Round - Blade
- Pollak
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
7- and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Socket w/ Mounting Bracket - Vehicle End
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- Custom Fit
- 7 Round - Blade
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
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