Does 12V Trailer Power Circuit Need to be Activated for Trailer Brake Controller to Function

Question:

Do I need the battery charge wire on my 2013 Sierra gmc for my trailer breaks to work with my controller, I am not trying to charge a battery on the trailer but I cannot get the breaks to work and I have found the trailer break control wire in the engine compartment

asked by: Loganpenrod

Expert Reply:

You do not have to install the trailer 12V power wire in your 2013 Sierra to get the brakes to work. Brake power and trailer auxiliary 12V power are carried on separate circuits.

The only exceptions would be when using a controller like the Curt Echo # C51180 that require this 12V auxiliary circuit to be active to provide controller operating power.

For a standard hard wired controller that installs in the cab the activation of the 12V trailer circuit does not make any difference.

expert reply by: Adam R