Why GM? Why?!!!

Because they can and their customers will continue to purchase new models...

But...over on the commercial/industrial side...they keep their revisions
backwardly compatible as much as possible...because those customers typically
will NOT purchase again...or delay purchase until there is a significant
benefit

Mainly because commercial/industrial keep their equipment for decades or
longer. So spare parts and replacement part interchangeability a critical
decision point

The philosophy of Corporate parts bin and compatibility is getting lost
with the new designers & their management.

They even used to include the pig-tail harness. but no more

The whole vehicle harness still (that I know of) has the tow/trailer
wires 'n there' and am expecting the OEMs to remove that as a cost
savings thing all too soon...as the percentage towing is very, very
small...and...the OEMs can then make money from those who then purchase
the tow harness(s)

Can also see the 7 pin connector change with more connections. That
will be when there is a complimentary computer/sensors/etc on the
trailer. Mainly a strain gauge for the computer to know if over loaded
or not...

mleekamp wrote:

BurbMan wrote:
They have done worse....in 2002, they changed the pin layout within the connector. So, a 2001 pigtail will plug right in because teh connector is the same shape, but nothing will work because the connections have been rearranged.

I had this happen...our 01 Chevy was wrecked, got a new 02, and plugged right in. Problem was, NO TRAILER BRAKES!!!! Had to pay $60 at a dealer for the new harness. I still curse that.

If it was the same plug why couldn't they or you just change the pin locations.

There was one change made that if you used the prior model harness, if you turned the headlights on it applied the brakes. They had reversed 2 pins for whatever reason. There is a bunch of Latin about all this, but I'd be preaching to the choir.

ScottG wrote:


While we're at it, why do Ford and Dodge think I want the headlights to come on just because I open the door? How many customers wanted that?

Sell that 03 and get a new Ram Scott... you can turn those headlights off in the settings. :B

DirtyOil wrote:

ScottG wrote:


While we're at it, why do Ford and Dodge think I want the headlights to come on just because I open the door? How many customers wanted that?

Sell that 03 and get a new Ram Scott... you can turn those headlights off in the settings. :B

My "old 03 doesn't do it but I noticed the new ones do. So that's it, I'm never selling my 03 ;)

BurbMan wrote:
They have done worse....in 2002, they changed the pin layout within the connector. So, a 2001 pigtail will plug right in because teh connector is the same shape, but nothing will work because the connections have been rearranged.

I remember that debacle!!

I think they eventually changed the pigtail connector color to easily distinguish which pigtail was meant for which year truck.

mleekamp wrote:

BurbMan wrote:
They have done worse....in 2002, they changed the pin layout within the connector. So, a 2001 pigtail will plug right in because teh connector is the same shape, but nothing will work because the connections have been rearranged.

I had this happen...our 01 Chevy was wrecked, got a new 02, and plugged right in. Problem was, NO TRAILER BRAKES!!!! Had to pay $60 at a dealer for the new harness. I still curse that.

Same thing going from our 02 Avalanche to our 00 Yukon XL 2500. Everything worked except the trailer brake signal. $12 on Amazon for a new harness from Tekonsha, but it was a pain to use the manual slider for brakes on every stop on that first trip.