Installing a Brake Controller on a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 with Factory 7-Way Trailer Connector

Updated 12/18/2013 | Published 12/16/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - GM

(483)

$19.50

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

(6614)

$179.85

Question:

My 2001 GMC Seirra 1500 already has a factory 7 way plug on rear of truck. DOes this mean I will only have to install my Electric brake box and the 3025p harness and everything will work, or will I still have to do wiring under hood and install fuse?

asked by: Jeff B

Expert Reply:

Since your 2001 GMC Sierra came with a factory installed 7-way trailer connector, GM should have already completed the connections under the hood at the fuse box. However, we have found that GM did not complete the wiring on all trucks, even if they came with the factory trailer wiring.

If you plug in your brake controller using a plug-in style wiring harness, like part # 3025-P for Tekonsha brake controllers, and the brake controller does not power on, then the wiring under the hood must be completed.

I have attached a help article on how to install a brake controller on your truck. You will want to follow steps 1 and 2 under the section titled Vehicles without Factory Installed 7-way. To complete the installation, you may need a 30-amp fuse and a 40-amp fuse if they are not already present in the fuse box for power to the brake controller and power to the 7-way trailer connector.

If you are in the market for a brake controller as well, I recommend looking at the Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller, # 90195. This is one of the top brake controllers on the market and it includes a customizable LCD display. I have attached a brake controller installation video for you to check out. The installation of the brake controller begins at the 4 minute and 50 second mark, but the video also shows how to make the connections under the hood at the 2 minute and 31 second mark.

You may notice that the truck in the video is a 2000 Chevy Silverado, but the installation will be the same on your 2001 GMC Sierra.

expert reply by: John H