What Brake Controllers can I use on a 1988 Chevy K1500 Pickup

Updated 05/10/2010 | Published 05/08/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.00

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6643)

$155.79

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3397)

$121.25

Question:

I have a 1988 Chevy K1500 4x4 truck with 4 pin trailer harness. I want to start towing my 16 ft car trailer that has a 4 pin lights harness and an electric brake on the trailer. My problem is I can't find a electric brake for my 1988 Chevy truck. every one I find only goes to 1990 and up to 2009.

asked by: rob s

Expert Reply:

A brake controller isn't a vehicle-specific item, just about any brake controller can be installed any truck.

One of our best-sellers and most highly regarded brake controller is the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885. on your 1998 Chevy K1500 Pickup. Later model year Chevy trucks provided a plug and play option, but you'd need to directly hardwire the controller into the vehicle.

It might sound daunting, but if the the directions I've provided are followed, most folks can easily complete the installation by themselves using our # ETBC7 brake controller install kit. The kit includes an adapter to convert an existing 4 pin trailer connector to a 7-way, but if the vehicle doesn't already have a 4 pin, you can simply cut that connector off and wire directly into the taillight circuits. Simply find the harness that feeds the taillights, the wiring would connect color for color, green wire to green wire, yellow to yellow, brown to brown etc.

I have added links to Brake Controller from Scratch Install article and the same kind of install on a 1993 Chevy Suburban that should prove helpful to you.

expert reply by: Patrick B