Installing Trailer Brake Controller on 2008 Chevy Express Van Cutaway Chassis

Question

Question:

I just purchased a hopkins 47235 brake control for my 2008 chevy 3500 cutaway van, and cant seem to figure out the wiring

asked by: Joe M

0

Expert Reply:

A Chevy Express cutaway chassis won't have the connector under the dash for installing a brake controller, so the controller will need to be hardwired.

You'll first need to install a functioning 4-pole trailer connector on your vehicle, using the part # 18252 kit. Once the 4-pole is installed, you'd complete the install using our Brake Controller Installation Kit, part # ETBC7. The kit includes everything needed to complete your installation, but if your cutaway chassis is longer than the typical Chevy Express, you'll also need some extra wire, part # 10-2-1. The kit provides an adapter that will convert the 4-pole to a 7-way trailer connector, which is the connector that trailers with electric brakes typically use.

I'll link you to the full instructions for the ETBC7 kit, as well as to an installation video showing the kit being used to install a brake controller on a 2009 Chevy Express Van. The video shows a different brake controller, but the procedure for yours would be identical.

expert reply by: Mike L

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Answer 1

The good news is that you are well on your way to completing the installation on your 2008 Chevy Express Van. What you will want to do to complete the installation is to first locate the output wire for the electric brakes. It is located under the…

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Answer 2

Since you have an older trailer, the brakes could have possibly been switched from electric to hydraulic or the other way around. Even on newer campers, unless it is just purchased from the manufacturer, it would be just a guessing game for someone…

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Answer 3

If your 2008 Chevy Express Van were already set up for trailer lights and a brake controller, it would have a factory installed 7-Way trailer connector at the rear of the vehicle or a wiring harness located inside the driver side frame rail near the…

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Answer 4

On a 2008 Chevy Express Van the wire on the brake switch you need should be a white wire but it could also be a light blue wire with a white strip. That is the correct wire from the cold side of the brake switch. The vehicle key will have to be on…

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Answer 5

I think you are going in the right direction. I would definitely replace the 14 gauge wire going to the trailer brake magnets with 10 gauge wire or larger. Usually larger than 10 gauge is hard to get into the trailer connector though. I would also…

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Answer 6

The two systems you mentioned are basically the two best systems available for weight distribution. Either one will work great for you as long as it is properly rated for your setup and is properly installed/set up. Personally I like the Reese Strait…

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Answer 7

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 8

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 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 11

When it comes to choosing between the Blue Ox Patriot #BLU37TR and the Brake Buddy Select 3 #HM39524, these systems are extremely similar in their setup and functionality. Both of these systems provide proportional braking in a compact and easy to…

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Answer 12

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

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