Brake Controller Recommendation for 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 to Bypass Integrated Brake Controller

Updated 04/24/2024 | Published 06/27/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6643)

$169.94

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.89

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers

(810)

$18.24

Redarc Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness for Tow-Pro Trailer Brake Controllers

(171)

$27.00

Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Brake Controller - Dash Knob - Off-Road Mode - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional

(1676)

$290.00

Question:

So I've determined I really need something less bulky and hidden and out of the way of my knees hitting the controller. What are your thoughts on the Redarc Tow Pro Elite vs. Tekonsha Prodigy iD for my GMC?

asked by: Ryan B

Expert Reply:

We can help bypass the OEM controller of your 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 but to answer your first question you do not need to take truck to dealer to have any check engine lights addressed. I would recommend the Prodigy P3 part # 90195 for you because this is widely considered to be the best brake controller that stops trailers in the smoothest and safest way but more specifically for you I recommend it because it has ability to save trailer settings so you can easily switch between two trailers without having to re-dial in the brake controller settings.

What you will do is use harness # 3016 which plugs into a port on the truck already. But you will need to remove the blue wire from the end that plugs into the truck. You will then take a length of wire, # 10-1-1, and connect it to the blue wire you removed from the connector.

Route the blue wire through the firewall, under the truck, and to the trailer connector. Avoid hot or moving parts like suspension and exhaust.

At the trailer connector, remove the wire in the 7 oclock position (looking at the back of the connector where the wires attach). Tape it up and stow it out of the way. Then attach the wire you ran to the 7 oclock position. This will bypass the factory controller without causing any dash lights/error messages to appear.

The 10-1-1 wire is sold in lengths of 1 foot. So if you needed 20 feet you would put 20 in the quantity box.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Ryan B.

6/27/2022

Jameson C.

6/27/2022

The Redarc Tow Pro Liberty part # RED44FR with the install harness part # 331-TPH-010 would be a really great option. This will perform just as well as the P3 and will be mostly hidden so there's no downside. The Tekonsha Prodigy iD part # TK49VR is a very similar option to the Redarc that would work well but at this time it's on back order till September 2022.

William

4/24/2024

This is great info I had asked this question a few times before I purchased my red arc controller for my 2015 duramax and not one sales person could tell me if I need wire for my blue wire to the back. To by pass the factory system. So I guess with the supplied correct harness for the truck I just need to remove the blue wire then run it to the rear and hook it up to the blue in the back of course review it from the truck side and tapping in to the trailer side for a lack of better terms. Can’t wait to get this red arc in this truck I have it in my tundra and now will have it in my 2500.