Installing an Electric Trailer Brake Controller on a 2008 Chevy Avalanche

Updated 02/16/2011 | Published 02/15/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Twist-in, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector for Chevy and GMC Vehicles - Vehicle End

(618)

$17.20

Question:

Is my vehicle equiped to plug in this trailer brake controller with the optional connector? Or will I have to splice wires? 2008 Chevy Avalanche 4wd

asked by: Joe M

Expert Reply:

If your 2008 Chevy Avalanche came with a factory installed 7-Way trailer connector, it will have wiring for the brake controller under the dash. It will not have a port you can plug into, but the wiring will be already ran and you just have to make 4 connections.

The wire bundle will be located under the dash, to the left and above the brake pedal. The bundle will be held together with a white tag. On the tag, the functions of the wires should printed. On the tow package wiring from under the dash, the red wire will connect to the brake controller black wire. The dark blue wire will connect to the blue wire on the brake controller. The light blue wire will connect to the red wire on the brake controller. The white wire will connect to the white wire on the brake controller. If there is an orange wire, do not connect it to anything. I have included a link to an FAQ article that will help you to locate and identify the wiring.

If your Avalanche did not come with a factory installed 7-Way trailer connector, you will need to add one using Twist-in, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector, # PK11916. I have included a video link showing a typical installation.

You will wire in the brake controller as explained above. But there will be some connections that will need to be made under the hood to power to the brake controller and 7-Way. The FAQ article that I linked explains the process.

expert reply by: Michael H