Parts To Install On 1963 Chevy C50 To Tow Trailer With Electric Brakes

Question:

Hello. I bought a ´63 Chevy C50 truck and the question is, what do I need to get my trailer electric brakes working with this truck ? ´63 chevy C50 hook up with 40´gooseneck trailer

asked by: Jani H

Expert Reply:

I am happy to help you set your 1963 Chevy C50 truck up to power the electric brakes on your trailer. You will need a brake controller, 7-way plug at the rear of the truck and possibly a 4-pole flat if you do not have one already.

Your best option for a brake controller is the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195. This brake controller is the best option because of it's ease of use and LCD display. It has 5 storable settings that allow you to store your trailer's braking power level. It can also be installed at any angle of a 360 degree circle so there are more mounting options compared to the other brake controllers that usually require a level horizontal install or 70 degree vertical install. The LCD display will show you actual words instead of troubleshooting codes if you ever have issues with the braking or wiring which is much more convenient in stressful situations.

If you do not have a 4-pole flat on the back of your truck you will need to install one with # 18252. The 4-way will splice into the wiring harness of the tail lights on the truck. I have attached installation instructions and a video for your reference. Once you have the 4-pole flat installed, the next step is to install a 7-way plug at the rear of the truck to give you the functions to power the trailer brakes on the trailer.

To install the 7-way I recommend the installation kit # ETCB7 which comes with the wiring, circuit breakers, 7-way plug with bracket, and connectors that are required for the install. The 7-way wiring will need to be extended with the included duplex wiring up the brake controller in the cab and the 4-pole flat will plug into the 4-pole flat wiring on the 7-way plug. The brake controller will then be wired to the cold side of the brake switch in the truck and the vehicle's battery. I have attached a diagram and video for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any more questions about the install and I can assist you further. I have also attached help articles on installing the brake controller and 7-way plug for your reference.