QA

Question: How To Use Trailer Brake Controller Chevy

How do you turn on a trailer brake controller?

How to Adjust Trailer Brake Controller: 6 Steps Step 1: Plug in the trailer wiring harness. Step 2: Allow the brake controller to calibrate. Step 3: Select personal settings. Step 4: Set the maximum output. Step 5: Adjust the sensitivity level. Step 6: Manually activate brakes as needed.

Does a 7 pin connector control brakes?

What is difference between a 4 pin and 7 pin trailer connector? Expert Reply: A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer brakes (requires a brake controller in the vehicle), and a reverse light or auxiliary power circuit. There are other types of connectors as well.

When should the trailer brake controller gain setting be adjusted?

The gain on your trailer brake controller must be set every time your trailer’s weight changes. The gain is what adjusts the amount of braking force that the electric brakes provide. If not set correctly, it could create a dangerous situation.

How can you tell if your trailer brakes are working?

The easiest way to tell if the brakes are working on the trailer would be engage the manual override and have a friend sit outside the vehicle and watch the wheels on the trailer. If they begin to drag when you let off the brake pedal (slowly) on the tow vehicle then you know they are working.

How do I know if my Chevy has active brake control?

If you have a traction control switch to turn traction control on and off then you do not have active brake control. If you do not have the switch then you should be equipped with active brake control.

Does my Silverado have a brake controller?

Factory Brake Controller Port Location on 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 The factory brake controller port on your 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 is in your vehicle’s junction box underneath the dash, to the left of the steering column, just above the carpeting.

How does a brake controller know if a trailer is connected?

Aftermarket brake controllers send a small amount of voltage along the brake output wire, if a trailer is connected, the magnets in the brake assemblies will create a power draw. This power draw tells the controller that a trailer is connected.

Do you need a brake controller to tow a trailer?

No, you cannot tow a trailer with electric brakes without a brake controller. A brake controller is an electronic device through which the driver of the towing vehicle can control the braking power of the trailer from inside the vehicle.

Do I need a brake controller if I have a tow package?

If you have a trailer with electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes, you usually need a brake controller. Most states have laws on the books about brake controller requirements (typically any trailer 3,000 lbs or more requires one, although laws vary by state).

How do you wire a trailer brake controller?

Just 5 Steps to Install Brake Controller and Wiring! Disconnect the vehicle’s negative battery cable. Determine where to mount the controller on the dash. Drill mounting holes for the bracket. Fasten the brake controller into place. Plug in the brake controller with a custom wiring harness.

Why is my brake controller not working?

Brake controller loses connection to battery ground. Ground wire was not connected to negative battery terminal, ground area does not have solid connection to ground. Ground connection to negative battery terminal is loose. Ground wire has been damaged and exposed wiring is touching a metal area.

What is gain and sync on a brake controller?

The sync control is basically what you use to adjust the “aggressiveness” of the controller. The gain setting will set how much power actually gets sent back to the brakes when you step on the brake pedal, while the sync will control how long it takes for the power to shoot back there.

At what trailer weight do you need electric brakes?

Electronic brakes are most commonly used on caravans and trailers over 750kg and are legally required on all caravans and trailers where the GTM is more than 2000kg.

Which pin is for trailer brakes?

Standard 6 Pin Trailer Connector Pin # Function Common Wire Color(s) 1 Common ground White 2 Electric trailer brakes Blue 3 Tail lights, license plate light, running lights Brown 4 12v+ auxiliary charging circuit Black/Red.

What does a 7 pin connector do?

The 7-Way Trailer Plug is around 2″ diameter connector that allows an additional pin for an auxiliary 12-volt power or backup lights. It is usually used for towing heavy-duty cargo trailers, aluminum trailers, dump trailers, utility / landscape trailers, equipment trailers, open car haulers and enclosed car haulers.

Which pin is the brake controller?

On the 7-way connector that is on your vehicle, the pin you will connect the brake controller wire to is the (2) pin. If you are looking at the inside (back) of the 7-way connector, it will be the pin at the 7:00 position. Looking at the 7-way from the outside (front) it will be at the 5:00 position.

Is there a positive and negative on trailer brakes?

Helpful Expert Reply: Trailer brake magnets actually are not polarity sensitive. That means either wire lead can be the positive as long as the other wire is grounded.

Do trucks come with trailer brake controller?

How Do I Know If My Truck Has a Brake Controller? Most trucks come with a brake controller installed by the manufacture (OEM). The brake controller usually has an image of a trailer and you would see a dial and two small knobs.