Brake Controller and 7-Way Connector Installation in 2000 Chevrolet K2500

Updated 05/13/2014 | Published 05/10/2014

Question:

hi, i have a 2000 chevy k2500 with a trailer hitch and brake controller. i dont think its factory because of the wire used. so i was wondering what products you have to make a 7 way trailer plug and a brake controller? thanks,

asked by: David B

Expert Reply:

In order to install a brake controller and 7-way trailer connector in your 2000 Chevrolet K2500 pickup you will first need to have a working 4-pole flat trailer connector and wiring harness in place, such as the TowReady Custom Fit Harness # 118315, which plugs in along the driver's-side frame rail. This 4-pole provides basic lighting functions (stop, turn and tail lights) for your trailer.

Next you will need an electric trailer brake install kit, part # ETBC7, which includes the 7-way socket, wiring, circuit breakers and connectors for brake controller installation. This kit's installation is shown in the linked video and explained in detail in the linked article.

Your brake controller installation will be a hard-wired which means that you will need to make 4 connections to your controller. The wiring from your brake controller will have 4 colors: black, blue, red and white. The Black wire connects to your battery positive terminal through a circuit breaker (included in the ETBC7); the red wire connects to the cold side of your brake light switch (the side of the switch that carries voltage only when the pedal is pressed); the white wire connects to the battery ground (negative terminal); and the blue wire that carries the controller's output signal for your trailer brakes gets routed to the 7-way connector.

The linked article on brake controllers will be helpful.

expert reply by: Adam R