Forum Discussion

mcman56's avatar
mcman56
Explorer
Jun 07, 2014

Silverado - Fuse for Trailer Battery Charging?

I have an 2002 Silverado and just got a trailer. Per the chevy manual, I need to install a fuse so that the trailer battery will charge from the truck. Unfortunatly, the manual is not clear on the fuse location. Would this be "STUD #1 Accessory Power/ Trailer Wiring Feed" in the fuse box under the hood? It shows 40 A. Once installed will I have 12 V between the + and - poles on the trailer connection when the truck is running?

The truck also came with some type of harness for an additional brake controller. Is this in case you want a sperate control for the trailer brakes?

thanks
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jun 07, 2014
    Yes, that is the correct fuse.
    On some the wire is not terminated on the stud.
    Install fuse and then verify power to the trailer connector.
  • calamus's avatar
    calamus
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    I have a 2003 Silverado. Yes the fuse is under the hood on the drivers side I think there is a pink blank in there. Yes you will need a brake controller they did not come standard with them Mine did not have the wire harness So you are a step ahead.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2014
    mcman56 wrote:
    The truck also came with some type of harness for an additional brake controller. Is this in case you want a sperate control for the trailer brakes?


    If your trailer is more than 3000 lbs, you must use a brake controller. The trailer has no brakes without one if it has electric brakes. It's not an additional controller, it's THE controller.
  • DaveF-250SD's avatar
    DaveF-250SD
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    Enblethen,
    I just want to take this opportunity to say that your map is smoking. You have been everywhere. :)
  • mcman56's avatar
    mcman56
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    Wow..the manual certainly is not clear on the need for a controller. I'll be pulling a small toyhauler and guesstimate it will be about 5000 lbs. Are there any recommendations on which controller to get? I prefer things that are simple, inexpensive and reliable.

    Thanks
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jun 07, 2014
    Prodigy would be first choice.
    You can buy a cable adapter to go from the controller to the trucks wiring harness. This will not require the cable that should be in glove box.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    Get a brake controller that is momentum activated, also called a proportional controller. The kind you don't want is timer based and costs less but will give much poorer control over the brakes. The momentum design is much smoother.
  • mcman56's avatar
    mcman56
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2014
    I bought a Pritus which I believe is in the Prodigy line. The controller wiring instructions and the Silverado instructions use different terminology to describe the wiring. Can anyone resolve?
  • Beer_Belly's avatar
    Beer_Belly
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2014
    Yes, that extra harness is to wire up the Brake Controller, then just plug it into the Relay Box under the dash.....makes things so much easier, my 2013 Silverado needed to be wired from the truck Harness, and they gave me a whole 8 inches of wire....what a PITA. Also as mentioned, some Brake Controllers can be had all set to just plug right in (Plug and Play)
  • GeoBoy's avatar
    GeoBoy
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2014
    Get a Prodigy P3 and their harness for your model truck, it is very easy, just plug the harness into your truck and into the brake controller and mount controller per instructions. Don't use the harness that came with the truck.

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