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Old 04-21-2016, 07:59 PM   #1
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If you can't trust your dealer...who can you trust?

So I pick up my first TT a couple weeks ago and had a WD hitch and brake controller installed at the same time. This is my first time with a trailer with brakes besides the surge brakes I had on my boat trailer. The first time I hit the brakes I remember thinking that I expected more from the trailer brakes. I adjusted the controller a little bit but not really knowing what I was doing, I just let it be. They said they adjusted them a little as they were pulling it through the parking lot. This, I'm (possibly) calling bull**** on. I just found out that there is a wire in the engine compartment of my 2012 Sierra that needs to be connected to the fuse block to provide power to the controller. I connected that wire tonight and slid the manual slide knob on the controller and now I hear a click inside of the controller, like a relay. I assume this means it's actually working now...there was no clicking before. I haven't had it hooked back up to the truck since I brought it home but I sure hope I can actually feel the trailer brakes next time I take it out. I was pretty sure the trailer brakes weren't really working on the way home. I understand that the dealers can't possibly know the ins and outs of every make/model of truck out there but to send me off with a brake controller that's not even working??? Again, I only claim to "think" that the brake controller wasn't working...and that's based on absolutely no experience. Think I'll be hooking it up this weekend and taking it out for a little test drive.

Now I'm really concerned about the WD hitch not being installed/setup properly, especially after reading several threads here about them not being setup properly from the dealer.
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Old 04-21-2016, 08:12 PM   #2
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Welcome to the forum.

Dealers rarely do a good job setting up a WDH but even if they do set it up properly, you'll need to adjust it when you're fully loaded and ready to go camping. I'd be more concerned about them sending you home without the brake controller set up properly.
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Old 04-21-2016, 10:09 PM   #3
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Welcome to reality! It doesn't matter whether it is an RV tech, a diesel mechanic, or an independent shop, a carpenter, a painter, a tile installer, a landscaper, one thing I have learned is that if you want to do it right, do it yourself! Most folks just don't have enough knowledge to recognize a job was done half-donkey!
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Old 04-21-2016, 10:17 PM   #4
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Just ran through the manual for the WDH. I'll be taking some measurements this weekend. I have a leveling kit on my truck (2" in front) and I just ordered some airbags due to the sag in the rear with the trailer is hooked up. I'll likely need to change the configuration once the airbags are installed anyways.

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Old 04-21-2016, 10:25 PM   #5
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They said they adjusted them a little as they were pulling it through the parking lot.
Congrats on the new camper!

When we picked up our trailer, one tech did the PDI with us while a second guy setup the hitch and checked the break controller (it was already installed on my truck). When we finished the PDI the second tech had me hook it up to see how the hitch worked and then he took it around the lot and then had me take a lap around the lot with him in the passenger seat. While rolling about 5 mph he had me manually engage the trailer break and make sure it stopped the truck and trailer. That's the best way to be sure the trailer breaks are working. Its a shame so few dealers take the extra few minutes to properly check everything before they send people off down the road. And as a buyer, you usually only figure out what kind of service and support a dealer offers after you buy...
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Old 04-21-2016, 11:20 PM   #6
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I read a lot about brake controllers and how easy it is to install one.
So I refused to pay a dealer to do it.

Took about 30 minutes, except for the wire you found out about.
Even the Chevy dealer didn't know about the disconnected wire.

It was a new thing for the new gen Chevy trucks and SUVs.
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Old 04-22-2016, 08:48 AM   #7
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It was a new thing for the new gen Chevy trucks and SUVs.
9 years later and still nobody knows about it. [emoji33]

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Old 04-22-2016, 08:53 AM   #8
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You can only trust your mom. And sometimes she'll tell a fib or two just to protect you. Yes I agree read the manual and set it up yourself and then you'll know it's right. Congrats on the trailer and welcome from NC.
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Old 04-22-2016, 09:00 AM   #9
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Welcome,


I have always adjusted my brake controller and weight dist hitches, when I used them a dealer never did. A loaded trailer can and will need a different adjustment. I have 3 different trailers that have electric brakes the camper a box trailer and a flat trailer, all need different adjustments depending empty or loaded.......... take the manual and lean how to adjust them is my advice as they can get out of adjustment at some point.

Good Luck !!!!

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Old 04-22-2016, 10:47 AM   #10
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If you can't trust your dealer...who can you trust?
Yourself!
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Old 04-22-2016, 11:28 AM   #11
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What kind of tow vehicle?
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Old 04-22-2016, 11:37 AM   #12
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What kind of tow vehicle?
2012 GMC Sierra 1500.
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Old 04-22-2016, 11:45 AM   #13
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Doesn't that vehicle have an integrated controller? Maybe it's too late for that but an integrated controller works much better (at least on my 2012 F150) because it works with the engine/transmission.


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Old 04-22-2016, 11:48 AM   #14
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Cool. Hope you get it all sorted out and enjoy your new TT.
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Old 04-22-2016, 12:12 PM   #15
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Regarding a integrated controller. If it has a tow package it should a least have a plug and play connector for one. Or like OP said they just didn't do the install correctly.
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Old 04-22-2016, 12:30 PM   #16
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I had a 2013 gmc 1500,it was wired but didn't have a brake controller, but under the dash was a harness that I had to wire my break controller into. I had to go back to dealer for a mechanic to find it and pull it down for access. It is all on YouTube
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Old 04-22-2016, 12:43 PM   #17
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I have a 2014 Suburban and the like the OP said, the power wire is not connected when you plug in the "plug and play" harness. Had to have it wired through the firewall and yes, the Chevy dealer didn't know and sent me to an accessory shop to have it done they use. On a second note. I bought my brake controller from the Chevy dealer as well. They sold me a time delay version. I didn't know any better but soon starting reading this forum and upgraded to the Prodigy P3 proportional one. What a HUGE difference!
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Old 04-22-2016, 12:47 PM   #18
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My Sierra didn't come with the integrated controller but the RV dealer did tie into the cables provided under the dash...They just didn't connect the "secret" power cable under the hood.

How did we ever live without the internet???
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Old 04-22-2016, 01:46 PM   #19
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My Sierra didn't come with the integrated controller but the RV dealer did tie into the cables provided under the dash...They just didn't connect the "secret" power cable under the hood.

How did we ever live without the internet???
Internet is good but we managed just fine without it !!!!!!!!!!


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Old 04-22-2016, 02:15 PM   #20
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Yourself!
And sometimes myself.
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