Trailer Brake Controller Recommendation and Install Method for a 2008 GMC c5500 Topkick

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Question:

Looking for wiring location for electric brake controller on 2008 c 5500.

asked by: Gene

0

Expert Reply:

From what I was able to find, the 2008 GMC Topkick 5500 does not have a port to plug in a brake controller wiring harness. A brake controller will have to be hardwired into the vehicle using a 4 and 7 Way Installation Kit, # ETBC7.

Usually, this would require the installation of a 4-Way wiring harness first that would then plug into the back of the ETBC7. However, there is not a 4-Way harness available for the Topkick, so you will need to clip off the 4-Way plug on the ETBC7 and hardwire the wires directly to the taillights.

Brown goes to the taillight circuit, green goes to right turn/brake light circuit, and yellow goes to the left turn/brake light circuit. The ETBC7 kit comes with 25 feet of wire but you may need more of # 10-2-1, and a circuit tester, # PTW2993, to find the correct wires on the vehicle.

After that, you can follow the installation details in the FAQ and video links I have provided for the ETBC7. For a brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha P2, # 90885, because it is easy to set up and easy to use. I have included a link to the installation instructions for the brake controller as well.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

I attached a picture that has all of the dimensions for the mounting bracket of the #HM48470 for you to check out. You can see that the hole diameter is 2-1/8 inches and the distance between all of the mounting holes which the 7-way would need to…

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Answer 2

Yes, 14 gauge wire seems too small. I would go with 10 or 12 gauge. For 10 gauge you can use #10-1-1 and for 12 gauge use #12-1-1. These wires are sold in increments of 1 foot. So if you needed 20 feet of wire you would enter 20 in the quantity box.…

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 5

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 6

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 7

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 8

Hey Andrew! Yes, Furrion does have a Chill Cube model with a heat pump. This was actually just released for aftermarket sale. You will need a complete system to make the switch, new R32 units aren't backwards compatible with old R410A systems.…

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Answer 9

Hi Paul, you’re definitely on the right track here, and I can help you narrow this down with confidence. With your tandem 3,500 lb Dexter axles and 33 inch spacing, both the Dexter EZ Flex part #K71-652-00 and the Lippert Road Armor part #LC53CK are…

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Answer 10

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 11

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

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Answer 12

To determine the size of the brake assemblies you need you have to measure the depth and width of the hub drum on the axle like what you see in the picture I attached. The most common size is 2-1/4 inch wide like the #T4071600-500 that you…

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Trailer Brake Controller Recommendation and Install Method for a 2008 GMC c5500 Topkick

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