I am going to pick up our new to us 2006 Coachmen Captive 26ex tomorrow. This will be my first travel trailer. Do I need a brake controller in my 2006 Crew cab long bed Duramax? My Duramax already has the round 7 contact plug on the back of it.Are brake controllers an added convenience for controlling and adjusting the braking force applied by the trailer brakes? Or are brake controllers a necessity to make the trailer brakes actuate at all? If brake controllers are a necessity does my Duramax already have one built in? (I have towed a large equipment trailer with my Duramax before and the trailer brakes worked properly.)

If you previously towed a trailer and the brakes actuated, I would guess that you have a controller, unless the trailer was activated by pushing against the ball.bumpy

oughtsix wrote:I am going to pick up our new to us 2006 Coachmen Captive 26ex tomorrow. This will be my first travel trailer. Do I need a brake controller in my 2006 Crew cab long bed Duramax? My Duramax already has the round 7 contact plug on the back of it.Are brake controllers an added convenience for controlling and adjusting the braking force applied by the trailer brakes? Or are brake controllers a necessity to make the trailer brakes actuate at all? If brake controllers are a necessity does my Duramax already have one built in? (I have towed a large equipment trailer with my Duramax before and the trailer brakes worked properly.)My 2007 Chevy did not have a built in brake unit so unless someone put one on the truck I would say the equipment trailer had a surge brake not electric brakes.

The GM TRUCK BRAKE CONTROLLER will look similar to this google image photoIf your 2006 Duramax GM Truck has a built-in BRAKE CONTROL you will find the BRAKE CONTROLLER similar to this install...If you don't see one of these thumb controller slider switch units on your dash usually installed around your legs in arms length then you will have to install one. Prodigy is a popular brand BRAKE CONTROLLER.Roy Ken

Unless you installed one in your 06 Duramax...you will need to install an aftermarket one..NO 06's had a factory installed BC.Suggest a Prodigy. Mine has worked flawlessly since I installed it in my 06 DA when it was new.

The equipment trailer definitely had electric brakes not surge brakes.Thank you for the quick replies and the help!

Does my 2006 Duramax need a brake controller? | Good Sam Community

diazr2
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Say looks like you got it going don't worry about some of these guys on the forum they are old curmudgeons and my bet is they don't remember when they were just starting out . Age will do that too you. Trust me I know. So your getting your stuff together and you should have a grand time. Install the controller you'll be ready to go.
sh410
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
diazr2 wrote:
Say looks like you got it going don't worry about some of these guys on the forum they are old curmudgeons and my bet is they don't remember when they were just starting out . Age will do that too you. Trust me I know. So your getting your stuff together and you should have a grand time. Install the controller you'll be ready to go.

Not so fast!-------This curmudgeon suggests that there may be a fuse to install in the under the hood fuse box so that the brake controller will actually send the current to the trailer brakes. :)
diazr2
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
sh410 wrote:
diazr2 wrote:
Say looks like you got it going don't worry about some of these guys on the forum they are old curmudgeons and my bet is they don't remember when they were just starting out . Age will do that too you. Trust me I know. So your getting your stuff together and you should have a grand time. Install the controller you'll be ready to go.

Not so fast!-------This curmudgeon suggests that there may be a fuse to install in the under the hood fuse box so that the brake controller will actually send the current to the trailer brakes. :)
Well if there is I am sure he will figure that out. Shoot he already figured out he needed a controller I am sure he will figure out the controler is not working and why. :-)
oughtsix
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
:) I am actually a pretty light hearted kind of guy... I didn't take any offense about not knowing if I have a brake controller... well not too much at least! ;) I meant my response to be light hearted... I probably should have included a wink ;)

Manual doesn't mention a fuse... but I will double check!
Yeti_plus
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
I had to put a fuse in my truck when I started towing the trailer, but I think that was for the 12V charge line. As I recall the prodigy instructions were pretty good and will tell you if you need to add a fuse for the brake controller.
2littletime
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
I think the fuse for the controller will be in the fuse panel that he will attach the pigtail into. There are two wires by the master cylinder that must be connected to the under hood fuse box that will supply 12 volts to the trailer. I think the information on this connection is in the owners manual. Also in the Prod. 3 controller information. jerry
Mr_Beebo
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
First brake controller I had to install I had a stiff neck for two days from laying on my back under the dash trying to trace wires and hookup everything up. Second time around was on my 2006 Chevy, purchased new. It had the factory pigtail in the glovebox. Made the job 10 minutes; 5 to mount the prodigy and plug it in, and 5 to install the fuse and make sure everything worked.

2007.5 is the first year GM installed factory controllers.
phipps33
Explorer
Apr 15, 2014
Go to etrailer.com, put in your vehicle info and look at the description page for the P3 controller. There should be a video that goes over exactly how to hook up the controller including the under hood connections that need to be done.

I'm also guessing you could have gotten your P3 and wiring harness from them a good amount cheaper than your dealer.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Apr 15, 2014
All good advice above. Your trailer will have electric brakes so you will need a brake controller. With the Tekonsha line of controllers like the Prodigy, you can get the adapter pigtail and the install is plug and play. You might need to install a fuse as mentioned above.

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Does my 2006 Duramax need a brake controller?

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