Install a Curt Trailer Connector Adapter with a Backup Alarm on 2000 Chevy C3500 Cab and Chassis  

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Expert Reply:

It is highly likely that there is an OEM pigtail wiring harness that you could plug the Curt # 57101 into on your 2000 C3500 Truck. The typical locations for this connection point are near the spare tire and also on the drivers side behind the rear tire on the frame rail. This connector will most likely have a dust cover on it and you should be able to remove the cover and the zip ties holding this to the frame and plug it directly into the connector on the rear of the Curt Trailer connector with a backup alarm, # C57101.

However, if you are not able to locate this pig tail on your vehicle you can hard wire in a similar connector like the the Curt trailer connector 4-way to 7-way with a backup alarm # 57102. This is the same vehicle side connection however this trailer connector is not a direct replacement for an OEM trailer hitch like the one that you mentioned. The installation of this connector involves hard wiring the connector to the vehicle wiring.

To install the Curt trailer connector, you will need to use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 and test the functions of the wires in the wiring harness feeding the taillight assemblies at the rear of your vehicle, you can remove the taillights and access most of the wires there. Please note that the color of the wires on your vehicle and the wire colors on the Curt trailer connector many do not match up color-for-color. You will need to test the functions of the wires on your vehicle and use the supplied connectors to connect to the appropriate functions. If you have an existing 4-way, then connect that to the 4-way on the Curt Connector. The yellow wire needs to be connected to the reverse light circuit. This needs to be done while the the vehicle is in reverse and make sure that you have a helper to keep their foot on the brake while you test the wires. The white wire on the Curt connector is a ground and you can use a self-tapping screw and ground this white wire to an appropriate surface on the vehicle frame.

The black wire on the Curt connector supplies the 7-way with 12V power supplied from the vehicle battery. The blue wire supplies the 7-way with brake signal to relay to the trailer brakes. If you do not need these functions, you do not have to connect them. If you do need these functions, then you will have to use an appropriate length of # 10-2-1 and run that to the front of the vehicle avoiding the hot areas like the exhaust and moving areas like the suspension. For the 12V line you will connect that to the positive post of the battery with a 40-amp fuse like the # PK54540 installed in-line.

The blue wire that controls the trailer brakes will also be routed to the front of the vehicle. Using an additional length of # 10-1-1 you will the blue wire on the Curt Connector to the blue wire on your brake controller. If you do not have a brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy # 90885. I have attached a video showing the installation of this brake controller. This video also shows the process of the installation of the 12 volt and brake wiring that would be needed for your Curt 7-way connector.

The Curt trailer connector will plug into an existing 4-way flat. If you truck does not have an existing 4-way flat then you can use the # 18252 to establish a 4-way connector. This kit includes a circuit tester that will be very useful for the installation of the 4-way flat and the Curt trailer connector. I have included a video showing the demonstration of this 4-way flat but please make sure that you test each wire for the function and not connect based on color matching alone. If you already have a circuit tester you could use the Curt # C58044 to establish a 4-way flat on your truck.

To install the 4-way flay you will need to locate the wiring leading to the taillights of your truck, since your truck is a cab and chassis you will want to remove the taillights so that you can access the wiring. You will want to use a circuit tester and identify the appropriate wires that carry the brake light, turn signal, and running lights at the taillight and connect to the appropriate wire on the 4-way flat.

The wiring color coding for the 4-way flat is as follows: green wire is the right turn signal, yellow wire is the left turn signal, Brown is the running lights.

I have included links to the parts listed above, several helpful articles, and some installation videos for your reference.

expert reply by: Rachael H

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