Can I Make My 2013 Chevy 3500 Compatible With Electric Over Hydraulic Trailer Brakes?

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Question:

I have a 2013 Chevy 3500 and a RV with electric over hydraulic brakes. Do you sell a product that will make the two compatible? Unlike newer trucks I understand mine is not reprogram able.

asked by: Mike

0

Expert Reply:

It is possible to make your 2013 Chevy 3500 compatible with a trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes. It is a common issue for the Chevy OEM brake controllers to have problems with EOH brakes. You are right that there is no way to reprogram the truck. Since case with your truck, we have two options.

The first option is to use an EOH adapter for your actuator. The adapters are model specific, so we would need to know what brand and model of actuator is on your trailer in order to recommend the correct adapter. For example, the common one is the # HBA-CAM which works with the Hydrastar brand actuators like the # HBA16. Basically, the adapter will (in most cases) make the OEM brake controller compatible with the EOH system on your trailer.

The other option is to install an EOH compatible aftermarket brake controller like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195. This way the brake controller and the trailer will communicate normally, and there will be no need for any kind of adapter. Generally, we recommend this method over the adapter. There is not always a compatible adapter available, but replacing the brake controller itself is guaranteed to fix the issue. Since your truck already has the tow package, the wires for this brake controller will already be run under the dash. It will be a fairly straightforward add-on so this is what I would do if it were my truck.

I have linked a few of our install videos for these products below if you want to get a more in-depth look.

expert reply by: Jesse M

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Answer 1

This is a tough one. we contacted our supplier and they said you will need to run 2 separate brake controllers like part #90195. You will need to split the brake signal from the towing vehicle and attach it to the red wire on each of the brake…

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Answer 2

Sounds like you are towing two trailers that both have trailer brakes. As long as the brake output circuit is completed from one trailer to the next the part #C57674 would work to send the amperage to each trailer. You will want to be sure that each…

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Answer 3

What we have found is the integrated trailer brake controllers on trucks can be very temperamental when used with electric over hydraulic brakes. I do recommend using a HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Adapter Module #HBA-CAM with your…

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Answer 4

I have to go off the GM dealership recommendation. If they are saying you need the Hydrastar #HBA-CAM or Dexter #DX35FR adapter module for your factory brake controller to work with your electric over hydraulic brake actuator, then I can't really…

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Answer 5

According to Hydrastar, the #HBA-CAM adapter is not required for the 2018 and newer Chevy/GMC trucks. This is true for the Hydrastar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator #HS381-8067 and any other Hydrastar model.

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Answer 6

This is definitely something that is frustrating and unfortunately, my answer is not going to be much better. When we have brought this to Dexter in the past, they have told us that their Electric Over Hydraulic actuators like the Dexter DX Series…

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Answer 7

Essentially the adapter part #HBA-CAM is designed to simulate amperage draw of a brake magnet by use of resistance. So you can use an multimeter like #PTW1714 set to read amperage to probe each wire of the adapter. As long as you are seeing over 7.5…

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Answer 8

Hi Ed, If I'm understanding you correctly your trailer's frame is 3" wide and the coupler needs to have a 2" ball. If so the Demco Channel Tongue Trailer Coupler #DM15000-52 you were looking at would be a compatible fit. I've…

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Answer 9

You can convert surge brakes to an electric over hydraulic braking system. To do this, you will need an electric over hydraulic actuator and a brake controller. For an electric over hydraulic actuator, I recommend looking at the Carlisle HydraStar…

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Answer 10

The bolts/nuts that are securing the master cylinder to the actuator on your 1997 Heritage Boat Trailer are between the welded-on portion of the A-frame and the actuator. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but this unfortunately means that the arms…

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Answer 11

Since your axles currently use the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3,500-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2 #84546UC3-EZ that means you have tandem 3500lb axles with the common #L68149 and #L44649 bearing combination, and a 4…

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Answer 12

We do have an electric over hydraulic disc brake kit that will fit a trailer with two 7000 lb rated torsion axles. In addition to a hydraulic disc brake kit, you will also need a brake line kit, that is compatible with electric over hydraulic brakes.…

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Can I Make My 2013 Chevy 3500 Compatible With Electric Over Hydraulic Trailer Brakes?

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