[JSchmitz]

I found my trailer finally. I bought a used 2007 20' car hauler with single axle electric brakes. Now I need a brake controller. I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 2500. It's pre-wired for a brake controller.

What type/brand is recommended? I see there are timing, inertia, proportional, hydraulic over electric, etc. What's best/necessary?

[Bud Lyons]

Tekonsha Prodigy. I use one in my truck. Set it up one time and leave it alone.

[bdk1976]

I have a similar rig and use a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller - more expensive than the $50 POS autozone special it replaced, but well worth it.

[1967Clone]

Yep, another vote for the Prodigy. I set mine up in 5 minutes and in 20' of driveway.

[David Holmberg]

+5 for Prodigy, and I pull a 10K lb enclosed trailer. Works like a charm.

[ponjohn]

Another vote for Prodigy. 20ft open, dual brakes. Easily adjustable, breeze to use.

[Rob B]

I guess your question has been answered..

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by Rob B

I guess your question has been answered..

I'll say! Case closed! Thanks!

[Keith Seymore]

Ok, since we've answered the controller question...

...let's talk about the trailer for a minute:

Open or enclosed trailer?

What do you mean when you say the truck is "prewired"? Do you mean you have the jumper harness that plugs into the "LH BEC" (aka the fuse block under the dash)?

I might be able to help if you have questions about wiring the truck.

K

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Ok, since we've answered the controller question...

...let's talk about the trailer for a minute:

Open or enclosed trailer?

What do you mean when you say the truck is "prewired"? Do you mean you have the jumper harness that plugs into the "LH BEC" (aka the fuse block under the dash)?

I might be able to help if you have questions about wiring the truck.

K

It's an open flat 20' car hauler.

Yes, it has the factory jumper harness. I already figured out where the harness and fuse plug in. I don't anticipate any problems wiring it up. I'll remember your offer though. Thanks.

[TheMonkey]

i used prodigy on that size trailer, it was great.

Originally Posted by JSchmitz

.... I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 2500. It's pre-wired for a brake controller. ...

keep in mind, there was a slight wiring change on GM trucks, and i can't exactly recall what the details were, or when it was. take a look at prodigy tech section maybe, but my '02 chevy required a slightly different wiring harness than the new ones, but i ended up just lifting a couple pins from the current harness to match the wiring of the old one. sorry, can't remember the details, but keep in mind there are 2 different wiring arrangements on late model GM harnesses. found it... looks like cut-off was '03 and up, so for '00, just swap pin locations: http://www.tekonsha.com/files/Produc...2020020013.pdf

also- it's been a couple years, but as i recall, there is a fuse that will need to be inserted to get power to your trailer and recharge the brakes battery. if this is your first time hooking up the 7-pin harness, look out for it. the factory ships trucks without the fuse installed (a dummy fuse in its place), and sometimes it comes in the glove box when the truck was new. iirc, it's a 40 amp maxi fuse.

** edited to add: the fuse is 40amp, located in a slot labeled 'Stud #1' under the hood on driver's side under a plastic cover. comes with dummy fuse in there.

[1967Clone]

One more thing, if your truck has a trailer tow package, Tekonsha makes a harness for it and it's a plug and play deal for most applications.

[stags]

I have an almost new Tekonsha controller I'd like to sell. I'm not sure if it's the "Prodigy" model but I could check tonight. My new Chevy came with an in-the-dash controller so I didn't need it. This one was mounted in my wife's Durango which I only towed with 2 or 3 times. Let me know if interested - I have the box, instructions and all hardware - $40.00 plus ship.

Mark O.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by TheMonkey

keep in mind, there was a slight wiring change on GM trucks, and i can't exactly recall what the details were, or when it was. take a look at prodigy tech section maybe, but my '02 chevy required a slightly different wiring harness than the new ones, but i ended up just lifting a couple pins from the current harness to match the wiring of the old one. sorry, can't remember the details, but keep in mind there are 2 different wiring arrangements on late model GM harnesses. found it... looks like cut-off was '03 and up, so for '00, just swap pin locations: http://www.tekonsha.com/files/Produc...2020020013.pdf

That is exactly correct.

Another way to tell is the correct "2002 & earlier" harness will have a brown plug; "2003 & later" harness will have a white plug.

K

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by stags

I have an almost new Tekonsha controller I'd like to sell. I'm not sure if it's the "Prodigy" model but I could check tonight. My new Chevy came with an in-the-dash controller so I didn't need it. This one was mounted in my wife's Durango which I only towed with 2 or 3 times. Let me know if interested - I have the box, instructions and all hardware - $40.00 plus ship.

Mark O.

Yes, I'm definately interested. Let me know what model it is.

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by TheMonkey

i used prodigy on that size trailer, it was great.



keep in mind, there was a slight wiring change on GM trucks, and i can't exactly recall what the details were, or when it was. take a look at prodigy tech section maybe, but my '02 chevy required a slightly different wiring harness than the new ones, but i ended up just lifting a couple pins from the current harness to match the wiring of the old one. sorry, can't remember the details, but keep in mind there are 2 different wiring arrangements on late model GM harnesses. found it... looks like cut-off was '03 and up, so for '00, just swap pin locations: http://www.tekonsha.com/files/Produc...2020020013.pdf

also- it's been a couple years, but as i recall, there is a fuse that will need to be inserted to get power to your trailer and recharge the brakes battery. if this is your first time hooking up the 7-pin harness, look out for it. the factory ships trucks without the fuse installed (a dummy fuse in its place), and sometimes it comes in the glove box when the truck was new. iirc, it's a 40 amp maxi fuse.

** edited to add: the fuse is 40amp, located in a slot labeled 'Stud #1' under the hood on driver's side under a plastic cover. comes with dummy fuse in there.

Thanks for the tip. I have the factory harness. So it should be a piece of cake. It does have a brown plug.

[TheMonkey]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

That is exactly correct.

Another way to tell is the correct "2002 & earlier" harness will have a brown plug; "2003 & later" harness will have a white plug.

K

be careful of clowns like me that modified the white plug to behave like the brown plug

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by TheMonkey

be careful of clowns like me that modified the white plug to behave like the brown plug

I don't have to worry about it being modified. I bought the truck new.

You're not a clown. I've modified almost everything I own.

[73LeMans]

You guys are good. I have the 2002 2500HD and went through all of what was described here. I too have the Prodigy and its awesome.

One thing though...you may not run into it, and your trailer might do it differently (Ive got an 15ft Econo-trailer) but I had it plugged into the truck harness but didnt have it on the ball (didnt have the receiver at the time) Didnt think it mattered, but the controller wouldn't see the trailer as "connected" until it was on the ball. Borrowed a friends receiver, and bam...all was good once the trailer was actually on there. not sure why exactly, but I imagine it must ground through that connection somewhere.

My $.02.

[1967Clone]

Originally Posted by 73LeMans

You guys are good. I have the 2002 2500HD and went through all of what was described here. I too have the Prodigy and its awesome.

One thing though...you may not run into it, and your trailer might do it differently (Ive got an 15ft Econo-trailer) but I had it plugged into the truck harness but didnt have it on the ball (didnt have the receiver at the time) Didnt think it mattered, but the controller wouldn't see the trailer as "connected" until it was on the ball. Borrowed a friends receiver, and bam...all was good once the trailer was actually on there. not sure why exactly, but I imagine it must ground through that connection somewhere.

My $.02.

Yep, I've seen a few trailers that ground through the ball.