Towing Package, tow ready?

[Patches]

You folks should have purchased a Toyota Tundra, 5.7L, tow package; it has a simple plug-in harness by the left kick panel for your brake controller; but you do have to install the 30 amp trailer "power" fuse in the underhood fuse box yourself

 

[Baucom]

Jim,

Maybe GM changed something in 08. When Dad bought his new 07 Silverado, he had the dealer install his Tekonsha Prodigy, and they had to run wires from under the hood. At that time, both the dealer and Southwest Wheel confirmed that there was no pigtail for the new Silverados.

Incidentally, my Titan didn't come with the factory tow package, but I negotiated a hitch and the transfer of my brake controller from my F150 when I bought it. The dealer installed the hitch and brake controller, but didn't install the necessary relays. When I realized this, I didn't complain (did make a note of it on their customer satisfaction survey though) but just stopped at Uhaul on my way home from work 1 day and picked up a set. They plugged right in and everything worked. All 3 cost about the same as 1 relay from the dealer. There's no sense getting worked up over a few bucks, IMO.

 

[jwstewar]

Jim,

Maybe GM changed something in 08. When Dad bought his new 07 Silverado, he had the dealer install his Tekonsha Prodigy, and they had to run wires from under the hood. At that time, both the dealer and Southwest Wheel confirmed that there was no pigtail for the new Silverados.

Incidentally, my Titan didn't come with the factory tow package, but I negotiated a hitch and the transfer of my brake controller from my F150 when I bought it. The dealer installed the hitch and brake controller, but didn't install the necessary relays. When I realized this, I didn't complain (did make a note of it on their customer satisfaction survey though) but just stopped at Uhaul on my way home from work 1 day and picked up a set. They plugged right in and everything worked. All 3 cost about the same as 1 relay from the dealer. There's no sense getting worked up over a few bucks, IMO.

Nope, don't think so. http://www.stealthv.com/images/GMT900_Trailer_Brake_Controller_Install.pdf This was the same for my '05 Trailblazer. They were under the dash. Just kind of hard to find if you didn't know exactly what you were looking for.

 

[Builder]

That's a great resource jw. Thanks for posting. The wire plugs are right there & ready to go with my '07 GMC. Took me all of ~10 minutes to plug in and install my Prodigy.

Since I don't smoke, I remover the factory ashtray and mounted my Prodigy right in it's place. Fits perfect almost looks factory.

Amazing how much disinformation there is out ther.

 

[Baucom]

Thanks for posting that, it is a great resource.

I should have clarified, there was no direct plug-in pigtail for the GMT900s like there was on his 99 & 03 Silverados. My F150 and Titan both also had ports under the dash for a direct plug-in harness--makes installing a brake controller take about the same time as plugging in a toaster.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I just got done doing a 2008 1500 4x4 and we had to go under the hood. The wires were tied up under the master cylinder. We had to run them to the under hood fuse box to get power at the 7 pin plug and get power at the brake controller wires under the dash. Also had to install 1 fuse for sure, maybe 2, cant remember. I had to call the local GM garage. He said its a pain on the new trucks because they have put them in a few different ways. The wires are not always the same color either. You also have to go to the hardware store and buy metric nuts to secure the wires, one 6mm and one 8mm. A real GM improvement!!!! What a joke. LOL!

Here is the guy I get parts for trailers from. Best in the business in my opinion. Anyway, he has help sections for all popular trucks.

R and P Carriages Trailer Sales, Service, Parts and Rentals

2007 GM Trailer Brake Controller install

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

You folks should have purchased a Toyota Tundra, 5.7L, tow package; it has a simple plug-in harness by the left kick panel for your brake controller; but you do have to install the 30 amp trailer "power" fuse in the underhood fuse box yourself

My Nissan Titan just plugged in, no fuse or any hassle. Took 5 minutes. Mine needed no fuses or relays. According to the site below if it is not equipped with a tow package you need to install the relays.

Nissan Titan brake controller install

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Nope, don't think so. http://www.stealthv.com/images/GMT900_Trailer_Brake_Controller_Install.pdf This was the same for my '05 Trailblazer. They were under the dash. Just kind of hard to find if you didn't know exactly what you were looking for.

You must have got a truck built on the change over period. All the late 07 to current I have seen do not have the plug and play anymore. You have to run the wires from under the hood. Big pain but better than nothing.

2007 GM Trailer Brake Controller install

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

That's a great resource jw. Thanks for posting. The wire plugs are right there & ready to go with my '07 GMC. Took me all of ~10 minutes to plug in and install my Prodigy.

Since I don't smoke, I remover the factory ashtray and mounted my Prodigy right in it's place. Fits perfect almost looks factory.

Amazing how much disinformation there is out ther.

Yes, on your truck, the classic or early 07, they are a cake walk. My 5 year old daughter can do them now. She could change the oil if needed. Anyway another subject, another time. It all changed in the 08's. Some early build dates had the old style like yours, then they went to the non plug in type with just wires, to the now bundle of wires that you must connect and apply power by getting to the under hood fuse box and buying the appropriate fuses/relays and the 6mm and 8mm nuts.

2007 GM Trailer Brake Controller install

No misinformation here!

Chris

 

[jwstewar]

You must have got a truck built on the change over period. All the late 07 to current I have seen do not have the plug and play anymore. You have to run the wires from under the hood. Big pain but better than nothing.

2007 GM Trailer Brake Controller install

Chris

Chris, following your own link

Many of the new 2007 GM/Chevy trucks do not have the "Plug and Play" (I guess that is a improvement??) But if you have the tow package, it should have the wires folded and tapped up under the dash. You will have to connect the wires to your controller.

Under the dash, we found the wires tapped up. Wire colors IN THIS TRUCK when connected to a Tekonsha Brake Controller were as follows: Dark Blue, Brake wire, connects to Blue on Controller

They even say the wires for the controller are under the dash. Yes, you have to connect the 2 wires under the hood, but you don't have to run anything through the firewall.

BTW, my Suburban is a late 2008.