How To Easily Disconnect Trailer Brake Controller On A 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

Updated 02/07/2023 | Published 02/06/2023

Question:

I had trailer brakes added to my 2002 Silverado 2500 HD Truck about 10 years ago by a company that did this sort of work on a routine basis. I was hauling a cattle trailer at the time. I sold my cattle trailer a couple years ago, so I no longer need the trailer brakes. Ive had a problem off and on over the years where the truck battery gets run down due to the trailer brakes quietly malfunctioning, and somehow adding a draw on the battery. Heres an example. I try to warm up the truck daily, or every other day, just to keep it working well. Picture this: I start the truck. It is idling fine, all of a sudden the truck head lights come on - without me touching the switch. And the headlights may go off just just as easily. BTW, there is nothing attached at the rear of the truck trailer attachment point. It is just there - hooked to the trailer ball. So, my question is this: What is the simplest way I can remove the trailer brake system from my trucks electrical system? I have a Journey HD trailer brake controller, and the wiring appears to be connected by a plastic wire plug that is attached into the system via the interior electrical box. BTW, I dont know anything about how to operate the brake controller. I just hooked up the trailer, and hoped for the best. And it usually worked OK. As I said before, I dont need it any more. I dont mind it remaining installed - I just dont want it draining my battery. What is the simplest way to do that? Thank you for your help. Im stuck.

asked by: Al W

Helpful Expert Reply:

The easiest way to disconnect your trailer brake controller from your vehicle is to disconnect your brake controller. You'll just need to unplug the controller plug from the back of the brake controller. This should eliminate any power draw from your vehicle's battery.

The only other way is to cut the brake wire from the trailer connector, but you should not need to do this.

So on your Journey HD trailer brake controller, you'll just need to unplug both ends of the plug that's going to your brake controller.

expert reply by: Bryce D