Trailer Brake Controller

[davester]

First, GM has made it so it is difficult for non-GM software to be installed on their computers, or to modify the GM software that's already installed.  In the past, GM has permitted people to upgrade the software in their trucks, for a fee, to enable various things that were available for the truck, but weren't installed on the truck when it was built.

 

More recently, GM has limited what changes to the truck's software they will permit to be made after the truck has been built.

 

This happens to be one of the things GM won't permit being installed in trucks retroactively.

[Ryno12]

We went looking for new 2019’s but we’re told because of the strike last year, there was no inventory of them...so we looked at the 2020...We asked our salesman if the mirrors pulled out for trailering, if it had a trailer brake controller and because the window was tinted, I could not read the sticker and wanted to know the size of the engine...his response was, no, the mirrors don’t pull out (they do) the trailer brake was the knob with the trailer on it (after getting the truck home I found out this knob is for the transmission) and he said the engine was a 6.2 gas, which turned out to be a 6.6 gas...I did not know about the engine because I was more concerned with the trailer brake, which I need for towing...after some haggling, they said they will install an after market brake but I wanted the in dash type...took them about a week to get it in and they sent it out to be installed...took a full day...drove the truck for one day and it started to get stuck in park...took it back; they tried all day and it never had a problem but they wanted to keep it overnight and try it in the morning...it wouldn’t come out of park...they said the part would take a week to arrive...after not being called after a week, I called them and they said the part is back ordered and maybe I should try calling GM, which we did...they were not happy...so after two weeks, we got our truck back...tried to tow this morning and the trailer brake doesn’t work...checked fuses, connections, battery...that’s when my wife found your site...first thing tomorrow morning we’re contacting a lawyer...life long Chevy people and today that’s come to an end...

 

Sounds like you should’ve shopped around longer for a truck that had the options you wanted.

At the end of the day, the onus is on the purchaser to do the research and know exactly what they are shopping for & what they are buying.

[AlaskaErik]

4 hours ago, Vacawood said:

We went looking for new 2019’s but we’re told because of the strike last year, there was no inventory of them...so we looked at the 2020...We asked our salesman if the mirrors pulled out for trailering, if it had a trailer brake controller and because the window was tinted, I could not read the sticker and wanted to know the size of the engine...his response was, no, the mirrors don’t pull out (they do) the trailer brake was the knob with the trailer on it (after getting the truck home I found out this knob is for the transmission) and he said the engine was a 6.2 gas, which turned out to be a 6.6 gas...I did not know about the engine because I was more concerned with the trailer brake, which I need for towing...after some haggling, they said they will install an after market brake but I wanted the in dash type...took them about a week to get it in and they sent it out to be installed...took a full day...drove the truck for one day and it started to get stuck in park...took it back; they tried all day and it never had a problem but they wanted to keep it overnight and try it in the morning...it wouldn’t come out of park...they said the part would take a week to arrive...after not being called after a week, I called them and they said the part is back ordered and maybe I should try calling GM, which we did...they were not happy...so after two weeks, we got our truck back...tried to tow this morning and the trailer brake doesn’t work...checked fuses, connections, battery...that’s when my wife found your site...first thing tomorrow morning we’re contacting a lawyer...life long Chevy people and today that’s come to an end...

If you have a 6.6, you have a 3/4 ton or one ton.  You're in the half ton forum.

Edited February 24, 2020 by AlaskaErik

[Ryno12]

Sounds like you can’t read...you’d probably be a great salesman for GM...

I read your word wall just fine. It’s not GMs fault that, based on the questions you’re asking, you were an uneducated buyer.

 

You also settled for aftermarket parts. So again, not GMs fault.

[jeremyp]

I recently traded in my 2017 Sierra Denali for a 2020 Sierra Elevation that didnt have the factory brake controller. After some research, and my dealer's recommendation, I ended up putting in a Curt Spectrum controller, C51170.

The brain mounts hidden underneath and it has a knob that can be mounted wherever you want. I chose a spot to the lower left of the steering wheel so only I can see it but still have easy access. It's as close to an OEM look as you're going to get while still having an excellent brake controller.

It is also super easy to install as its completely plug-n-play with the purchase of the OEM connector, C51525. It took me longer to tie wrap the wiring to make everything look nice and clean than it did to install the brain and the knob.

etrailer.com sells the package together in the link below.

https://www.etrailer.com/multi-product.aspx?pc1=C51170&pc2=C51525&VehicleID=202090028&HHYear=2020&HHMake=GMC&HHModel=Sierra+1500

Hope this helps!

Jeremy

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Edited February 24, 2020 by jeremyp

[bkilx1]

Factory unit can be installed by the dealer. Having one installed today on my 2019 Silverado with tow package. Cost is $224 installed.

[Smoothbassman]

Factory unit can be installed by the dealer. Having one installed today on my 2019 Silverado with tow package. Cost is $224 installed.

Let us know how that goes.

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[jeremyp]

2 hours ago, bkilx1 said:

Factory unit can be installed by the dealer. Having one installed today on my 2019 Silverado with tow package. Cost is $224 installed.

Yeah I'm very curious to know as well. Please keep us posted.

[Ryno12]

Factory unit can be installed by the dealer. Having one installed today on my 2019 Silverado with tow package. Cost is $224 installed.

By “factory unit”, you mean the Curt unit?

[bkilx1]

Yes it's a Curt Brake Controller #51170

[Smoothbassman]

8 minutes ago, bkilx1 said:

Yes it's a Curt Brake Controller #51170

OH!   OK.  This is not the one I say is "Factory"  This unit is not integrated into the DIC, but is a good alternative option that fits in the factory location.

[jeremyp]

Yes it's a Curt Brake Controller #51170

It's a very good controller and the one I have too. See my post above on this.

I opted to install it to the lower left of my steering wheel so it's out of sight. The blue lights are bright and somewhat annoying located out in the open like in your pic, just FYI. Lots of reviewers have stated this and I'm glad I listened to them. Either way, stay safe out there and avoid the Corona! LOL

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[RadoPhan]

It's a very good controller and the one I have too. See my post above on this.

I opted to install it to the lower left of my steering wheel so it's out of sight. The blue lights are bright and somewhat annoying located out in the open like in your pic, just FYI. Lots of reviewers have stated this and I'm glad I listened to them. Either way, stay safe out there and avoid the Corona! LOL

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I just ordered the Spectrum but also read that you can control the brightness. I was planning to install it like the pic. Is that not the case?


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[jeremyp]

I just ordered the Spectrum but also read that you can control the brightness. I was planning to install it like the pic. Is that not the case?


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Its still pretty bright.

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[RadoPhan]

Its still pretty bright.

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Ok thanks for the heads up. I guess I’ll try it out and see and worst case buy another plastic cover if it’s too bright. Also, are the lights always on even if you’re not using it?


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