Suggested Easy-to-Use Brake Controller and How to Install on 1997 Chevy K3500 Pickup Truck

Question

Question:

Hi, I need to add a brake controller to my truck. 1997 Chevy K3500 4X4 dually. It appears to have the factory wiring for a controller, actually looks like there may have been one in the past. I mainly tow 18 foot 2 3500Lbs axels utility or car hauler style trailers with up to 5000Lbs load. Trailers are single axel brakes. I guess I just need a simple controller. What would you suggest? Thank you!

asked by: Christopher S

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Expert Reply:

GM didn't fully prewire their trucks with the connector under the dash until the 1999 Silverado/Sierra, but they did run an orange and blue wire from under the brake booster back along the driver's side frame rail to the rear of the truck. The wires are really hard to find in the engine compartment, on a 25 year old vehicle they're likely covered with road gack and grease.

If you have some existing wiring under the dash from the previous owner, you can use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to check the wires for function. One should show constant 12V, one should show 12V only when the brake pedal is pressed, one will be a ground connection and one should show continuity to the pin in the 5:00 position in the 7-way trailer connector (if present).

For a basic, easy to use and very effective brake controller, I'd recommend the Tekonsha Primus, part # TK90160. The controller includes a pigtail that would connect to the wiring you found under the dash (assuming it checked out, as explained above). The black pigtail wire connects to the constant 12V, the red connects to the wire that shows 12V with the brake pedal applied, the white to ground and the blue wire carries the output voltage back to the trailer connector.

If you can't confirm the wiring under the dash, you'll need to hardwire the controller. If you have an existing 7-way, you can use the # 5506 install kit which would be installed as shown in the linked video.

If you don't have a 7-way, you'll use the # ETBC7, which you can see being installed in the linked video. To install the 7-way adapter included with the kit, you'll need a functional 4 pole trailer connector, like # 18252.

expert reply by: Mike L

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Answer 1

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Answer 2

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

Hey Antoine, so the two kits you mentioned are actually really similar and honestly I would go with the part #ETBC7 if I were you. The #ETBC7L is basically the same thing minus a couple wires and breakers so you may as well get the kit that has…

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

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Answer 12

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