Recommendation of Brake Controller and Weight Distribution For a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado

Question:

I have a 2000 Silverado, 2W, C-1500, long bed, ext cab 4800 V8. I am buying a Outback camper, model210RS with a shipping weight of 4,790 lbs, GVWR of 7550 lbs. I want to purchase Weight Distribution and Sway Controls for the truck, plus I need electric brake controls. What do I need????

asked by: Larry

Expert Reply:

For your 2000 Chevrolet Silverado the brake controller I would recommend is the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, part # 90885. This is a proportional brake controller which means it applies power to the trailers brakes in proportion to vehicles braking action. It is our best selling controller, and is easy to use and set up. I am including a link to the instructions on the Prodigy P2 brake controller.

If you have a factory 7-Way connector on the rear of your truck you will only need the Tekonsha Wiring Harness, part # 3025-P, to plug in the brake controller to your factory port under the dash.

If you do not have a trailer connector on the rear of your truck you will also need to install a 7-Way connector. If your vehicle has a round plug with a cap above the spare tire you will need the Hopkins 7-Way and 4-Way Connector, part # 30955. If you just have a bundle of wires above the spare tire you will need the Pollak 7-Way Wiring Harness, part # PK11898. I am including a link to a FAQ page that will describe installing a brake controller in your Silverado.

When choosing a weight distribution system you will want one that has a tongue weight capacity range that encompasses the trailer tongue weight when loaded and ready to tow and that also includes the weight of any gear loaded behind the rear axle of the vehicle. I am including a link to a FAQ page on weight distribution.

With the GVWR of your Outback camper at 7,550 lbs, the tongue weight range of 15 to 20 per cent would be 1,133 lbs to 1510 lbs. For that tongue weight range I would recommend the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution with Sway Control, part # RP66130. This system will include the Dual-Cam sway control that will stop trailer sway before it begins. I am including a link to the installation instructions on the Reese system.

The only other items needed would be the Reese Weight Distribution Shank, part # RP54970, and the Curt 2-5/16 Inch Hitch Ball, part # 63840.