Question about Chevy 2500 Integrated Trailer Brake Controller

[LJS1211]

I have a new to me 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD with the integrated brake controller from the factory. I've only pulled my trailer once with this new truck and had a question about the setup. I hooked up the trailer and the display came on letting me know the trailer was connected. I set the controller at 10 and started driving. When I hit the brakes it really didn't feel like the trailer was stopping very hard which I thought it would being set at 10. I squeezed the manual slide and I could feel the brakes engage so I know they are working. I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this on their truck?

To give a little background I traded my Ford F150 in for this truck and I had a similar issue on my Ford. When I talked to the dealer about this they mentioned Ford's computer actually prevents the brakes from locking up even set at 10 to avoid accidents. Made sense to me at the time but haven't been able to find out if the same is true for Chevy. Also I pulled the trailer one time with my father-in-laws truck and he has an aftermarket controller and it locked the brakes up instantly so we had to dial his down to about 3.5 to prevent it from happening.

Really just trying to see what others have experienced and determine if this is normal or if I should really start doing more research or troubleshooting. Have another trip planned for Memorial weekend so want to get this mystery solved and make sure the family is safe. Thanks in advance for your responses.

[timfromma]

Unlike after market brake controllers, the Chevy controller increases trailer braking based on how hard you press the brake pedal. Unless you mash your pedal down hard, you will not get full trailer braking. Also, if your trailer is really heavy, max braking probably won't lock up the wheels anyways.

[Jc furnace man]

I tow with a 2012 Chevy 2500 have mine set at 4.5 or so works great. Pushes me around less than my 3000 lb boat with surge brakes.

[JohnD10]

You might need your trailer brakes serviced and adjusted...

I have a 2015 Silverado 2500HD gasser and pull a 9900-pound 5'ver with it.

Mine would lock up the brakes at 10!

With my previous TT and current 5'ver I always had them set at 5.5, and was just shy of locking them up.

You definately don't want them to lock up as they really are not stopping you if they do!

However, about a month ago I took my 5'ver to a trailer axle shop in Denver (Big Bear) and had the wheel bearings done, suspension and brakes serviced and adjusted, plus got new upgraded tires at the same time.

On my way home when I gave the brakes a squeeze, they weren't as strong as they had been.

So I tried 6...not enough...6.5...just like the dayz of old!

[JohnyDollar]

I have this exact year and model truck. I pull a 9000 pound toyhauler and my factory trailer break control works just fine set at 5. I always roll at idle a few feet and manually apply the trailer breaks to make sure they stop the entire rig on a level surface as the owners manual states to do when beginning a trailering trip. Never have had to put mine beyond 5

[Flybob]

Same vehicle same controller. Unlike semi-intelligent controllers that have no pedal pressure input you will not get a lock up on a standard brake operation.

[Electra glide]

Same truck and if I recall I think mine is set at 7. Fifth wheel toy hauler.

[thebrakeman]

I'm curious about these integrated controllers. If you have the means to make an adjustment (1-10, 1-12, whatever), then it's obviously not fully-automatic. What is the process for choosing the correct setting.


Contrary to what some above may believe, modern aftermarket controllers are not the time-delay relics that our grandfathers used. They are proportional, mostly based on reading actual acceleration. Integrated controllers have the benefit of adding data from pressure and other sensors. But in all cases, it seems there should be an expectation to calibrate the trailer to the truck, before enjoying the drive.


For my Tekonsha Prodigy, you warm up the brakes, then increase the max voltage setting until you are able to lock the brakes with a manual apply. Then you back off just a bit until you can no longer lock the brakes. This ensure proportional braking, all the way up to the MAX setting in a panic stop situation, but always avoiding trailer brake lockup that could allow the trailer to come around the tow vehicle.


I would think the integrated controllers would have a similar setup procedure (in the vehicle owner's manual, or some tow package appendix). If not...how do you know what setting to use?


PS - I'm not getting into a debate over aftermarket vs integrated. Been there, done that. I'm just wanting to learn about the integrated controller setup process. And perhaps it's different from OEM to OEM.

[JohnyDollar]

thebrakeman, my integrated brake control has a slide lever manual control similar to aftermarket units. The setup procedure is basically similar to how you describe. Find where it locks up and adjust down from there. Hope that helps to answer your question

[thebrakeman]

That's what I figured. Thanks.
So, back to the OP:
You should not expect to lock the brakes with the service brake pedal, but only with the manual apply lever, if the setting is high enough. Take the rig around the block a few times to warm up the brakes. Get up to 20-25mph and apply manual brakes (FULL apply). I'll bet they lock up. If so, reduce the setting in small increments, until you can no longer lock the brakes. That the point you want to be.

[satdog01]

Have mine set at 5 on GMC pulling a 8000 TT.
Have you tried jacking up one side and testing the brakes
For stopping a spinning wheel. Mine stopped at 4 with Tt jacked
Up. Set it to 5 based on the no weight on jack. Seems to work okay.

[Rookiewood]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Unlike after market brake controllers, the Chevy controller increases trailer braking based on how hard you press the brake pedal. Unless you mash your pedal down hard, you will not get full trailer braking. Also, if your trailer is really heavy, max braking probably won't lock up the wheels anyways.

X2

[ACE110]

X3

[mikes86gn]

x4

[jtesta1]

Did you engage trailer control by pushing the button on the end of the shift lever. Just plugging in the trailer will light up the dash trailer light but you have to activate with the button.

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Unlike after market brake controllers, the Chevy controller increases trailer braking based on how hard you press the brake pedal. Unless you mash your pedal down hard, you will not get full trailer braking. Also, if your trailer is really heavy, max braking probably won't lock up the wheels anyways.

X2, well put. We pulled a 7,000 lb cargo trailer fully loaded and never had a problem. The GM integrated brake controller is just that. It integrates the trailer brakes with the TV brake for a nice stop.

We had one panic stop incident where an accident just happened on the Interstate. It was raining lightly and as we crested the hill, there it was. All lanes blocked. I planted the brakes. For normal flow, I had plenty of interval (well over a block). It was obvious I could not out stop the car in front of us. I stopped on the shoulder next to the car that was in front of us. The good news is that the brakes did not lock up, I had complete control, straight line stop, and the shoulder---and a trip to the rest room at the next exit.

[midnightpumpkin]

As others have said, the integrated brake controller does it's job without giving a feeling that the trailer brakes are being applied. I run my controller at a setting of 4.7 with a 7500 pound trailer. The brakes will lock up if I squeeze the control.
John U

[rockfordroo]

On my 2016, if you squeeze the manual actuation, you will get a read-out on the dashboard of the amount of braking you're giving it. It will stay on the dash for about 5 second after you let go of the manual levers.

So if you give the manuals a squeeze to bring up the indication, THEN stomp on the brakes, you can see what the controller is sending out relative to what you did with the manual levers.

[russhd1997]

I have a 2017 Silverado 1500 with the integrated brake controller and I tow a 7500 lb trailer. I started at 5 and have adjusted down to 2.5 to get the braking that I want. The trailer doesn't pull back on the truck or push it when braking.

[aceinspp]

I have mine set at 3.5 and does just fine handling my 9000# tt. To much on adjustments just increases undo brake wear. Later RJD