Trailer Wiring for 2017 GMC Acadia to Add 7-Way  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The factory trailering package on the 2017 GMC Acadia means you would have a 7-way plug already. Like all '17 Acadias this vehicle does have the wiring although I'm not entirely sure what you mean by plugging trailer lights directly into those connectors because trailer lights do not plug in.

I assume you are looking to add a brake controller so what you will need to do first is add a 4-way, the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118720 which does plug in behind your rear bumper. You will also need the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller # ETBC7, which will give you a 7- and 4-way trailer connector, circuit breakers and the rest of the hardware needed to install a brake controller.

As for the brake controller itself, I strongly recommend the Prodigy P3 # 90195; it is the most popular model we carry due to its effectiveness and ease of use. It will activate your trailer's brakes immediately in proportion to your Acadia's brakes and offers three different boost levels so you can adjust your braking power.

The P3 levels automatically, has constant diagnostic checks, contains safeguards which defend your controller against shorts, and features an LCD display which is much easier to read than that of other controllers.

This controller has been met with nearly universal praise; it has been reviewed by our customers nearly 3,000 times and is averaging close to 5 out of 5 stars.

expert reply by: Kyle S

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Tom B.

10/10/2018

Hi Kyle. Sorry my question was not clear. I am not planning to add a brake controller. Just a 4-way connector for a trailer. My question should have said,"Can I plug trailer lights directly into these connectors using a 118720 wiring harness or do I need a converter module - for example a 119250KIT? Here is my concern in more detail. The 2017 Acadia uses LED tail lamps. They only require a few hundred milliamps. Trailer lights are typically standard bulbs which require a few amps. If the electronic circuit in the Acadia is only designed to handle a few hundred milliamps and I connect a trailer that pulls several amps, I might damage the Acadia's electronic control module. If instead the GM engineers designed the electronic module to handle several amps, then there would be no problem using the 118720 to connect my trailer lights. Does that make my question more clear? Any idea whether the 2017 Acadia electronic circuits can handle the extra current required for the trailer lights? Thanks.

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Kyle S.

10/10/2018

Thanks for the additional info and the simple answer to your question is you do need a converter module. Your concern about LEDs is certainly valid so what you will need to use is the Upgraded Modulite Vehicle Wiring Harness Kit with 4 Pole Trailer Connector # 119147KIT. This is a universal kit so it will work with your '17 Acadia; it has a converter and is also designed to work with LED lights. I checked with Tekonsha and they did confirm this will work with your vehicle.

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