Trailer Brake Controller Installation on 2013 GMC Savana 3500 Van with Factory Tow Package

Published 02/23/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Wiring Kit for 2, 4, 6, and 8 Brake Electric Trailer Brake Controllers

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$57.21

Pollak Circuit Breaker - Cycling/Automatic Reset - 40 Amp - Straight Mount Bracket

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Question:

I have a 2013 GMC Savanna 3500 with HD trailer tow package. I want to add a trailer brake controller. Do I need additional wiring or does this truck have that, if you know.

asked by: Bob

Expert Reply:

If your 2013 GMC Savana 3500 van has the tow package with factory-installed 7-way trailer connector then brake controller installation will be a snap.

Vehicles with the 7-Way tow package have the blue brake controller output wire already run from the back of the van to the front. It is located under the dash near the emergency brake pedal. This blue wire connects to the controller's blue wire.

The three other wires from the controller are: 12V input power (black wire) which connects to the battery via a 40-amp breaker like # PK54540; brake pedal signal (red wire) which connects to the cold side of the brake light switch; and the ground wire (white) which connects to the battery negative terminal. We offer a wiring kit # 5506 for instances where the 12V trailer power wire is not already run.

If your truck has a round plug with a cap inside the driver's side frame rail instead of a bundle of wires in the jack storage compartment, use part # 30955.

For a brake controller the gold-standard is the Prodigy P3 # 90195 which has features like storable settings for multiple trailers. If you do not need this feature go for the P2 # 90885.

expert reply by: Adam R