OPT7 bar - what do I need?

Rob Mugs · March 18, 2021

Got the bar today but all the installs I had seen already had things that aren't included.

I have the bar itself and the module for rear camera. Presume this is so it doesn't turn off the camera/set it to trailer mode?

It's 32 degrees and freezing rain so reallllly don't want to go out there and look around underneath. I'd like to disconnect the plug BEHIND the bumper and piggyback off of it to get a 4 pin connection for the lightbar. I would "think" I can run the reverse wire to a pin on there since the 7 pin has a pin for that.

Is the plug behind the bumper just a standard 7 pin or some proprietary GM connection? Anyone have something that can be found on Amazon so I don't need to wait another week for OPT7 to ship?

kodiakdenali · March 18, 2021

This might help, although it doesn't look like its got the reverse wire, you could always add your own before installation

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009FJ38Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

is that what you're looking for?

J2Jones · March 18, 2021

I would suggest using the item below. It's not cheap but it's fool-proof and remains all functionality. With my AT4, the OPT7/Curt Trailer harness disabled the rear park sensors.

https://www.putco.com/529005

Rob Mugs · March 18, 2021

4 hours ago, kodiakdenali said:

This might help, although it doesn't look like its got the reverse wire, you could always add your own before installation

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009FJ38Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

is that what you're looking for?

Thanks man.. looks perfect.

Rob Mugs · March 18, 2021

3 hours ago, J2Jones said:

I would suggest using the item below. It's not cheap but it's fool-proof and remains all functionality. With my AT4, the OPT7/Curt Trailer harness disabled the rear park sensors.

https://www.putco.com/529005

Bit pricey and maybe they only have one image for everything but that doesn't appear to be what I/we have (ie USCAR 7 way socket)

Going to give Kodiak's a shot

kodiakdenali · March 18, 2021

2 minutes ago, Rob Mugs said:

Thanks man.. looks perfect.

Cool! Pretty cheap too

I've got one sitting around for an in-progress project. I haven't test fit it yet but should do the job, build quality looks good, heavy gauge wire.

I don't know if the Silverado's manual is exactly the same as the Sierra's, but on the Sierra upfitter manual the pinout for the trailer connector is on page 7-473.

reverse wire is pin A., which is the one in the center of the connector.

Rob Mugs · March 18, 2021

21 minutes ago, kodiakdenali said:

reverse wire is pin A., which is the one in the center of the connector.

Yep! Same for the Silverado. I'll just tie into it at that point instead of running into the light itself. Just to keep all the connections at a single spot.

kodiakdenali · March 18, 2021

1 minute ago, Rob Mugs said:

Yep! Same for the Silverado. I'll just tie into it at that point instead of running into the light itself. Just to keep all the connections at a single spot.

If you get to it before I do, let me know how it goes...and if your mod puts the truck into trailer mode. I wouldn't mind the side view on the screen so much, but it apparently also deactivates the rear parking sensors and cross traffic which I wouldn't' like.

I actually have both this part and the putco harness. I'd rather attach to the trailer provisions because if I blew a fuse at least it wouldn't knock out my truck's main lighting. but I was prepared to use the curt harness just to get access to the high current 12V (plug and play) and activate relays with signals from the putco harness as needed.

Rob Mugs · March 18, 2021

3 minutes ago, kodiakdenali said:

If you get to it before I do, let me know how it goes...and if your mod puts the truck into trailer mode. I wouldn't mind the side view on the screen so much, but it apparently also deactivates the rear parking sensors and cross traffic which I wouldn't' like.

I actually have both this part and the putco harness. I'd rather attach to the trailer provisions because if I blew a fuse at least it wouldn't knock out my truck's main lighting. but I was prepared to use the curt harness just to get access to the high current 12V (plug and play) and activate relays with signals from the putco harness as needed.

I'll hook it up without the module first but I have this on hand. It's supposed to negate any issues with sensors and camera
https://www.opt-7.com/tow-package-module-for-redline-led-tailgate-bars/

Edit: I might pull it apart tonight, just to see what's inside.

Edited March 18, 2021 by Rob Mugs

kodiakdenali · March 18, 2021

Just now, Rob Mugs said:

I'll hook it up without the module first but I have this on hand. It's supposed to negate any issues with sensors and camera
https://www.opt-7.com/tow-package-module-for-redline-led-tailgate-bars/

ah, makes sense. its probably a relay pack so the trailer circuitry sees only a draw from the relays and not power for lights, pretty much an off the shelf product to do exactly what I was planning.

Rob Mugs · March 18, 2021

If it works well, for the price... might not even be worth a DIY. Only briefly looked at it, but seemed like a solid build.

kodiakdenali · March 18, 2021

1 minute ago, Rob Mugs said:

If it works well, for the price... might not even be worth a DIY. Only briefly looked at it, but seemed like a solid build.

exactly what I was just thinking...I was going to build one, I probably couldn't build one for much less than that.

you'll need a good source of 12V, you can get that from the curt harness too that's what I'm planning to do.

kodiakdenali · March 18, 2021

I don't think the OPT7 product has the reverse lights in it though, that's usually not included in the standard 4 pin connector.

Rob Mugs · March 18, 2021

45 minutes ago, kodiakdenali said:

I don't think the OPT7 product has the reverse lights in it though, that's usually not included in the standard 4 pin connector.

It doesn't, it has an extra wire that is meant to be dragged over to the reverse light and scotch locked. My weird OCD won't let me do that though and I'll pigtail off pin 7 so it's all in one spot.

Rob Mugs · March 19, 2021

Not installing yet but some things I've noted so far while testing for tomorrow's install:

On the battery: Connecting green or yellow to + and white to negative, it sometimes triggers the brake lights, sometimes it triggers the turn signal. I'm hoping this is just because I am supplying more than a 1/2 second of voltage like the signal would

Going back to the 4 pin and testing without the module, it triggers the trailer mode once you turn on the lights and strangely, it turns OFF the trailer mode the second a turn signal is used. (Almost wondering if something is shorted internally here as that doesn't seem right regardless of the relay module)

If you need the module as most people will have trailering, sensors, or camera, you will need to run a constant hot. There are places on the passenger side fuse panel but I'm going to be digging for something closer by. There's a pin on the 7 pin labeled Aux 12V+ Charging. Haven't checked this yet but hoping it is a constant

Edited March 19, 2021 by Rob Mugs