Recommended Trailer Brake Controller For a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 With Factory 7-Way

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Question:

Ill be purchasing a travel trailer in Nov., and just making sure I have all my ducks in a row before I pick it up. I spoke with the RV rep and she recommended this is the email she sent me: You will want a brake controller installed in the truck. Make sure they give you a charge line as well, to charge the batteries while going down the road. The brakes on the trailer are self adjusting electric drum brakes. Does this model brake controller have the charge line? Or is that something separate? Thank you for your help in this matter, I do appreciate it very much.

asked by: Jeffrey B

0

Expert Reply:

I recommend installing the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller # RED52VR on your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. This controller is proportional and takes up much less room than the Dexter Predator DX2 Trailer Brake Controller # 58-8 you found. This will make is easier to reach and give you a much cleaner look with the brake controller.

I have linked an installation video below for the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195 that will accurately walk you through all the steps necessary to install a brake controller as well as the connections needed under the hood. You may need the M6 Nut # 185916 and M8 Nut # 185917 it the wires have never been connected to the battery source. One of the wires sends power to the brake controller and the other is for the charge line on your factory 7-way. Be sure to check that you have the correct working fuses for these circuits as well or you can find them at your local auto supply store.

Be sure to find a good weight distribution hitch like the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37100ET. This will make your drive safer by reducing the amount the trailer sways from wind gusts and keeps your truck level with the extra weight so you are not white knuckle driving. If you can tell me the exact camper you are looking at I can recommend the correct system to match your weight ratings.

expert reply by: Bud M

0

Corey

2/2/2025

Can I ask a question

Robin H.

2/2/2025

@Corey you can.

Corey

2/2/2025

@RobinH hi purchase and receive the brake controllerkit for a 2013 toyota tundra crashed it total loss never installed controller.now picked up a 2011 chev 1500 can I still use the unit on the chev if purchase the wiring kit to hook it up.or do I gotta buy the whole controller again

Robin H.

2/2/2025

@Corey I'm sorry to hear that, totaling a car is no fun. Is this the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty # RED24FR? I'm assuming you already had some sort of wiring harness to install it in your Tundra. The 2011 Silverado doesn't have a port to plug in a wiring harness but it does have the necessary wires under the dash. All you need to do is splice in your existing wiring harness to make it work with the Silverado. If you had a custom wiring harness for the Tundra you can cut the plug off the end to splice it in.

See All (5) Replies to Corey ∨

Answer 1

Hello Tom, thanks for getting in touch. The Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller can absolutely be used on a 2012 Chevy Tahoe with the factory tow package. GM did not install the necessary port for the brake controller on the 2012 Tahoe, but the…

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Answer 2

The 2010 Chevy Silverado will have a wire bundle tucked up under the dash, to the left of the steering column, held together with a white tag. The tag should also have the wire functions on it but we have learned that they are as follows: Red/black…

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Answer 3

I would be happy to help! The difference between the two RoadActive Suspension Leaf Spring Enhancement Kits for your 2021 Chevrolet Express Van 2500 is the #RAS2611-V is for cargo vans, and the #RAS2613-M is for passenger vans. Since your van is a…

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Answer 4

According to Dexter Axle, it's perfectly normal for the display to light up and display .0 when a trailer isn't connected. This will happen regardless of if the vehicle is running, as the controller has a constant 12V connection to the…

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Answer 5

The red wire from your Dexter DX2 brake controller #58-8 needs to be wired to the cold side of the stop light switch, which on your 2013 Chevy Silverado corresponds to a light blue wire with a white stripe. This wire should ONLY be hot when the brake…

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Answer 6

You'd want to use the 20 amp circuit breaker like #PK54220PL unless your trailer has more than two brake axles. If that's the case you'd want to use the 30 amp breaker #38630.

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Answer 7

The controller shouldn't have been showing voltage without a trailer connected. Typically this is caused by corrosion on the 7-way which is putting a slight draw on the circuit and causing the controller to think a trailer is connected. If the…

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Answer 8

According to the Dexter Predator #58-8 Brake Controller installation instructions, if your truck lights are not illuminating properly with the manual override is activated, then you will need to check the red stoplight wiring connection. The brake…

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Answer 9

Sometimes brake controllers need to be reset as they get a weird internal bug. Try unplugging yours for a minute or so and replugging in and see if that helps. Here's how to test the controller though: Testing the brake controller is fairly easy.…

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Answer 10

You should be able to use bracket #2178. I have included a picture showing the measurements for you. I was able to read the instructions for the controller from the Dexter site but I can send you a copy in a separate email.

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Answer 11

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 12

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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Recommended Trailer Brake Controller For a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 With Factory 7-Way

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