How To Easily Disconnect Trailer Brake Controller On A 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

Question

Question:

I had trailer brakes added to my 2002 Silverado 2500 HD Truck about 10 years ago by a company that did this sort of work on a routine basis. I was hauling a cattle trailer at the time. I sold my cattle trailer a couple years ago, so I no longer need the trailer brakes. Ive had a problem off and on over the years where the truck battery gets run down due to the trailer brakes quietly malfunctioning, and somehow adding a draw on the battery. Heres an example. I try to warm up the truck daily, or every other day, just to keep it working well. Picture this: I start the truck. It is idling fine, all of a sudden the truck head lights come on - without me touching the switch. And the headlights may go off just just as easily. BTW, there is nothing attached at the rear of the truck trailer attachment point. It is just there - hooked to the trailer ball. So, my question is this: What is the simplest way I can remove the trailer brake system from my trucks electrical system? I have a Journey HD trailer brake controller, and the wiring appears to be connected by a plastic wire plug that is attached into the system via the interior electrical box. BTW, I dont know anything about how to operate the brake controller. I just hooked up the trailer, and hoped for the best. And it usually worked OK. As I said before, I dont need it any more. I dont mind it remaining installed - I just dont want it draining my battery. What is the simplest way to do that? Thank you for your help. Im stuck.

asked by: Al W

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The easiest way to disconnect your trailer brake controller from your vehicle is to disconnect your brake controller. You'll just need to unplug the controller plug from the back of the brake controller. This should eliminate any power draw from your vehicle's battery.

The only other way is to cut the brake wire from the trailer connector, but you should not need to do this.

So on your Journey HD trailer brake controller, you'll just need to unplug both ends of the plug that's going to your brake controller.

expert reply by: Bryce D

1

Answer 1

If your trailer does not have brakes your best and easiest route would be to use the adapter part #37185. Your 4-way plugs into it's 4-way and you have both a 4-way and 7-way with just taillight functions. If you need trailer brakes you'll…

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Answer 2

Although the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 #90195 and Primus IQ #TK90160 electric brake controllers are very similar they do have some key differences as well. For one the P3 is designed to work with electric and electric over hydraulic brake systems. The…

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 5

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 6

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 7

If you have a vehicle specific wiring harness for a brake controller then that would indicate that you have a factory tow package and subsequently would already have a 7-way at the back of your vehicle. The universal 7-way connector #ETBC7 is meant…

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Answer 8

The first thing you will need for your 1999 D250 is a 4-way. The Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness #C55317 plugs into the connection points behind your rear bumper and will allow you to power your trailer's signal lights. Once the 4-way is…

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Answer 9

You do have the option to utilize the air brakes on your 2023 Freightliner Cascadia to control electric trailer brakes using the Hayes Air Actuated Trailer Brake Controller, part #HA100400C. However, we mostly recommend just using an electric brake…

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Answer 10

The Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty #RED24FR is the way to go over the Elite #RED44FR as you get the nicer functions of the Elite at a lower price. The Elite has the ability to be the more preferred proportional style of controller as well as a time-delayed…

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Answer 11

There is a trailer hitch receiver as well as a 4-way wiring harness that fit your 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WL; that said, we don't have any way to reference a VIN so you'll need to confirm if you do have the WL, which is the new model of…

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Answer 12

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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