Brake controller necessary?

[TBarrett]

I'm relatively new to trailering. I tow a Jayco Hummingbird RB17 with a 2017 GMC Acadia Denalia which has a tow package. I usually tow in Tow Mode. My question is - should I have a brake controller installed or can i rely on the electric trailer brakes?

[JFlightRisk]

Welcome to the Forum from Western New York State!

If your Denali has a factory installed brake controller as part of the tow package, and a 7-pin plug at the rear you're good. If not, you'll need an aftermarket one installed, or you can do it yourself. Most times there's a plug connection somewhere under the dash to connect one to.

[Big1]

Welcome from Lakewood, and yes, I would get one installed.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by TBarrett

I'm relatively new to trailering. I tow a Jayco Hummingbird RB17 with a 2017 GMC Acadia Denalia which has a tow package. I usually tow in Tow Mode. My question is - should I have a brake controller installed or can i rely on the electric trailer brakes?

The hummingbird has electric brakes, but they don’t work without a brake controller.
If you have the factory tow package with the 7-pin you should have the controller. If not, the redarc is nice with no big box to bang your knees on. We used it on my wife’s Acadia.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bra...ID=20176003280

[Jim Davis]

You can also have your dealer check for a brake controller. It should be a simple eyeball thing for the service department. Also looking at the specs for the Denali you are close to the towing limit with the Hummingbird (3750 pounds).

Another source of information about the Birds is a Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Humm...ers/?ref=share

[ultrarider]

The wiring should be under the dash somewhere if your vehicle has the factory tow package. You need to install a aftermarket controller. I have the Redarc controller on my Tacoma, which has the tow package. Easy to install works great. The controller box can be mounted at any angle out of sight, and it is controlled by a small 3/4 knob you mount on your dash or elsewhere. I pull a Jayco hybrid 16XRB 3000lbs. I’m glad to have the electric brakes!

[JohnK]

You need to make sure you know what your loaded TT weighs.

The GVWR of 3750 lb is over the safety margin for a vehicle that can tow 4000 lb.

Safety margin is 15 or 20% depending on where you look.

Regards,

John

[16WhiteColly]

Being a Denali, I would think that the install would be plug n play with a plug in connector, but some GM such as my Colorado, they have 4 capped off wires under the driver side kick panel that would need butt connectors to install. Go on one of the GM Acadia forums and see. If you have a factory brake controller, you should see the gain switch with a +/- on the dash. Look in your Owners Manual for brake controller.

[TBarrett]

Thanks -

[TBarrett]

Are you saying that I need the controller even though i have the factory tow package?

[TBarrett]

My understanding is that my Acadia is rated at 5000#, so I figured I was around 75% of the rated max GVW

[mrmom]

Originally Posted by TBarrett

I'm relatively new to trailering. I tow a Jayco Hummingbird RB17 with a 2017 GMC Acadia Denalia which has a tow package. I usually tow in Tow Mode. My question is - should I have a brake controller installed or can i rely on the electric trailer brakes?

The nature of your question, and the fact that you are new to towing, leads me to believe that you do not understand what trailer brakes are or how they work. There are some great websites and videos on this topic where you can learn all about their operation and therefore make more informed choices/questions going forward. A good place to start might be Curt Mfg. website, they have a great article on this topic. Go to: https://www.curtmfg.com/trailer-brakes-controllers

Please do not take my comments the wrong way, not trying to be condescending in any way. Just trying to help you understand and enjoy your trailering experience a little better.

[Jim Davis]

I would verify the towing capability of your vehicle through your dealer. Every thing I see shows that GMC lowered the capacity to 4,000 in 2017. Perhaps get them to run the VIN number.

https://letstowthat.com/gmc-acadia-towing-capacity/

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by TBarrett

I'm relatively new to trailering. I tow a Jayco Hummingbird RB17 with a 2017 GMC Acadia Denalia which has a tow package. I usually tow in Tow Mode. My question is - should I have a brake controller installed or can i rely on the electric trailer brakes?

Look at your dashboard and the instruction manual. If there is a button that has a - and a + it could be the brake controller. I have one in my 2021 GMC Canyon Denali. Installing another could be a disaster if you have one already.

[TBarrett]

Thank you -- i appreciate the help. I naively thought the factory tow package with the 7-pin connection operated the electric trailer brakes and that's all I needed. I didn't think about the fact that you might need something that allows the trailer brakes to be more or less aggressive depending on driving and towing conditions. I do use the tow setting and manual shift feature when I'm towing the TT, but I'm planning on a trip to Yellowstone next September and want to be as prepared as I can be. Again -- I appreciate all the helpful comments.

[TBarrett]

I think I'm good - according to this site, and others I checked,
"The towing capacity for GMC Acadia's made from 2010-2016 was rated for either 2,000 lbs. or 5,200 lbs., depending on whether or not you had the V92 trailering package installed. If you did not have the package installed, then the lower 2,000 lb. rating was your limit and if you had the trailering package installed, then your Arcadia was capable of pulling up to 5,200 lbs.
The specs were the same for FWD and AWD models, the only determining factor when it came to capacities was whether the tow package was installed or not."

[16WhiteColly]

Originally Posted by TBarrett

Are you saying that I need the controller even though i have the factory tow package?

Not all factory tow packages include the brake controller, just means they are at least wired for one, along with the trailer wiring, hitch, etc.

[travelingjw]

It is important that you check with the dealer. Some of the comments about having a 7 pin plug and the assumption you have a Brake Controller might not be accurate unless they know something specific about your tow vehicle. We purchased a vehicle with tow package and 7 pin connected and it did not come with a brake controller. We purchased the Prodigy 2 and had it installed. Very satisfied.

[JohnK]

Hello,

Like mrmom above I am not intending to sound condescending but rather trying to help you and your family travel safe.

Your vehicle is 2017?

2017 in all the guides I could find say 4000 lb.

https://fifthwheelst.com/documents/g...ring-guide.pdf

Page 4

Page 23, only the limited is 5200.

Regards,

John

[poohbear]

Also if it doesn't have the factory controller do the GM cars still need a wire/fuse added in the fuse box under the hood. I ask as when I put my daughter's controller in her 2010 Tahoe I remember doing something but it's been a long time ago