How To Install a Brake Controller in a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado

Updated 05/30/2024 | Published 10/11/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - GM

(1194)

$19.55

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

(2763)

$159.00

Question:

Which harness is the right one for a 2011 silverado?

asked by: steve

Expert Reply:

In 2007, Chevrolet stopped offering plug-in connectors for brake controllers on their full size trucks with tow packages. Instead, you will have four or five blunt-cut wires bundled underneath your dash. The wire colors should be red with a black tracer, white, light blue with a white tracer, dark blue. You may also have an orange wire for a center high mount stop lamp function, but this would not be used for a brake controller installation.

I would recommend the Prodigy P2 brake controller, # 90885, for your application, as it includes a pigtail that you can use to hardwire the unit to your vehicle.

The brake controller connections would be made as follows.

Black: 12v power lead, connected to the red/black wire on your vehicle harness.
Red: Stoplight switch wire, connected to the light blue/white wire.
Blue: Electric brake wire, connected to the dark blue wire.
White: Ground, connected to the white wire.

Please note that if your vehicle has a factory 7-Way plug, there are also two wires under the hood that have to be connected to power the brake controller and trailer connector in the rear. These wires are both red/black with eyelets on them. If you take the cover off of your fuse box under your hood, you will see two threaded studs underneath the gray fuse box handle. Find the brake controller wire between the box and your driver side fender, and connect it to the right stud. The power wire for the 7-Way plug can be found under the brake boost assembly. Connect this wire to the left stud.

You can view additional information on wiring your Silverado for towing with electric brakes at the links provided, as well as a video of a typical installation of a similar brake controller on a 2009 model.

expert reply by: Sarah L

Shawn

4/21/2013

Hi Sarah, I have a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado with factory tow package. I have a questions, trying to install the Bully LED Trailer Hitch Cover and I can not locate the 4way plug to attach to the hitch cover. Am I correct in assuming from reading above that standard in this vehicle is a 7way which is found at the rear? If not, where is this 4way plug?

Patrick B.

4/25/2013

Standard tow package on that truck will be the factory 7-way on the bumper, just to the left of the rear license plate well. To use a 4 pole accessory like a lighted hitch cover, you may need to use an adapter like part PK12716.

David

5/30/2024

THANK YOU FOR HAVE THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION FOR WHEN THEY STOPPED ADDING THE PLUG AND PLAY CONNECTOR AS WELL AS THE WIRING INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE MADE MY JOB AS A TECH VERY SIMPLE CONNECTING MY FLYING LEAD TO THE TRUCK. OUT OF CURIOSITY DO YOU KNOW IF AND WHEN CHEVY STARTED ADDING THE PLUG AND PLAY BACK IN