How Can You Tell if a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado Has Factory Trailer Wiring

Expert Reply:

The 1997 Chevrolet Silverado has some of the wiring in place to connect a brake controller, but it does not have the provision for plugging the controller in under the dash. There is an orange and blue wire that is run from the rear drivers side frame rail to the engine compartment. The blue wire carries the brake controller output, and the orange wire if for the 12 volt trailer lead. The ends of these wires would connect to the trailer connector at the rear of the truck. In the engine compartment, the ends of these wires can be found under the brake booster, down by where the brake lines turn to pass under the cab. The other brake controller connections would need to be hardwired. If the truck doesn't already have a trailer connector, you can either tap into the existing lighting circuits, or use a T-1 connector, part number 118315. If all you were needing was the 4-way connector, the T-1 provides that. If you were needing the 7-way connector, an adapter is offered, part number 37185.

expert reply by: Mike L