Trailer Hitch And 7 Way Wiring For 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Question:

I have a 2002 silverado 1500 2wd single cab, 8 foot bed. I just bought a 10k dump trailer. I installed a small hitch years ago which i need to replace, and it was wired for a 4 plug? My question is, what do i need to get for the 7 way plug, and i need to add trailer brakes.

asked by: Jordan B

Expert Reply:

For a receiver hitch that will fit your 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, I recommend going with the Draw-Tite Ultra Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver # 41932. This has a max towing capacity of 12,000lbs and max tongue weight of 1,200lbs; or 14,000lbs and 1,400lbs when used in combination with a weight distribution system. This hitch offers a simple bolt-in installation, requiring no welding or drilling.

Your Silverado may have come with a factory 7-way trailer connector that was converted to a 4 way at one point in time. If you see a round 7-way connector before the 4-way plug, then you will be able to simply unplug it and then plug in a new 7-way adapter - # 30955.

Then you can install brake controller # 5535 with wiring harness # 3025-P which will plug into the electric junction box under the dash.

If you do NOT have the factory tow package which would give you the 7 way wiring near the hitch and brake controller plug-in under the dash, then you will need to install the # ETBC7. This will plug into your current 4 way connector, and then you will have to run the black wire to positive terminal on battery, white wire to bare metal for ground, and the blue wire to the brake controller's output wire (blue).

You will then plug the brake controller # TK63VR in o the harness # 3025-P. The harness will then be wired as follows: blue wire to blue trailer connector wire, black wire to positive battery terminal, white wire to negative battery terminal. The red wire is the brake stoplight signal, this will be connected to the brake pedal wiring on your vehicle; you will have to use a tester such as the # PTW2993 and connect the red wire to the brake wire that gets power only when the brakes are applied.

As mentioned above, you will not need to do this wiring process if you already have the junction box under the dash and the factory 7-way wiring behind the truck.

I am attaching demonstration videos and a wiring diagram to help you out.