All DIC warning and service messages must first
be acknowledged by the driver by pressing the
odometer trip stem or the DIC Vehicle Information
button (if equipped) before the Trailer Brake Display
Page can be displayed and Trailer Gain can be
adjusted.
TRAILER GAIN–This setting is displayed anytime the
Trailer Brake Display Page is active. This setting can be
adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either a trailer connected
or disconnected. To adjust the Trailer Gain, press one of
the Trailer Gain adjustment buttons located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel. Press and hold a gain
button to cause the Trailer Gain to continuously adjust.
To turn the output to the trailer off, adjust the Trailer
Gain setting to 0.0 (zero).
0.0 (zero) gain is the factory default setting. To properly
adjust trailer gain, see the Trailer Gain Adjustment
Procedure later in this section. TRAILER OUTPUT
–This is displayed any time a trailer
with electric brakes is connected. Output to the electric
brakes is based on the amount of vehicle braking
present and relative to the Trailer Gain setting. Output is
displayed from 0 to 10 bars for each gain setting.
The Trailer Output will indicate “- - - - - -“on the Trailer
Brake Display Page whenever the following occur:
.No trailer is connected.
.A trailer without electric brakes is connected
(no DIC message is displayed).
.A trailer with electric brakes has become
disconnected (a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also be displayed on the DIC).
.There is a fault present in the wiring to the electric
trailer brakes (a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also be displayed on the DIC).
.There is a fault in the ITBC system (a SERVICE
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM message will also be
displayed in the DIC).
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4. Adjust the Trailer Gain by using the gainadjustment (+ / -) buttons on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel.
5. Drive the vehicle with the trailer attached on a level road surface representative of the towing condition
and free of traffic at about 20 to 25 mph (32 to
40 km/h) and fully apply the Manual Trailer Brake
Apply lever.
Adjusting trailer gain at speeds lower than
20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 km/h) may result in an
incorrect gain setting.
6. Adjust the Trailer Gain to just below the point of trailer wheel lock-up, indicated by trailer wheel
squeal or tire smoke when a trailer wheel locks.
Trailer wheel lock-up may not occur if towing a
heavily loaded trailer. In this case, adjust the
Trailer Gain to the highest allowable setting for the
towing condition.
7. Re-adjust Trailer Gain any time vehicle loading, trailer loading or road surface conditions change
or if trailer wheel lock-up is noticed at any time
while towing.
Other ITBC Related DIC Messages
In addition to displaying TRAILER GAIN and
TRAILER OUTPUT through the DIC, trailer connection
and ITBC system status is displayed in the DIC. TRAILER CONNECTED
–This message will be briefly
displayed when a trailer with electric brakes is first
connected to the vehicle. This message will
automatically turn off in about ten seconds. The driver
can also acknowledge this message before it
automatically turns off.
CHECK TRAILER WIRING –This message will be
displayed if:
1. The ITBC system first determines connection to a trailer with electric brakes and then the trailer
harness becomes disconnected from the vehicle.
If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle is
stationary, this message will automatically turn off
in about thirty seconds. This message will also turn
off if the driver acknowledges this message off or if
the trailer harness is re-connected.
If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle is
moving, this message will continue until the ignition
is turned off. This message will also turn off if the
driver acknowledges this message off or if the
trailer harness is re-connected.
2. There is an electrical fault in the wiring to the electric trailer brakes. This message will continue
as long as there is an electrical fault in the trailer
wiring. This message will also turn off if the driver
acknowledges this message off.
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To determine if the electrical fault is on the vehicle side
or trailer side of the trailer wiring harness connection,
do the following:1. Disconnect the trailer wiring harness from the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition OFF.
3. Wait ten seconds, then turn the ignition back to RUN.
4. If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING message re-appears, the electrical fault is on the
vehicle side.
If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING message only
re-appears when connecting the trailer wiring
harness to the vehicle, the electrical fault is on the
trailer side.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM –This message
will be displayed when there is a problem with the ITBC
system. If this message persists over multiple ignition
cycles there is a problem with the ITBC system. Take
the vehicle to an authorized GM dealer to have the
ITBC system diagnosed and repaired.
If either the CHECK TRAILER WIRING or SERVICE
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM message is displayed while
driving the vehicle, power is no longer available to the
trailer brakes. When traffic conditions allow, carefully pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and turn the
ignition off. Check the wiring connection to the trailer
and turn the ignition back on. If either of these
messages continues, either the vehicle or trailer
needs service.
An authorized GM dealer may be able to diagnose and
repair problems with the trailer. However, any diagnosis
and repair of the trailer is not covered under the vehicle
warranty. Please contact your trailer dealer for
assistance with trailer repairs and trailer warranty
information.
Driving with a Trailer
{WARNING:
When towing a trailer, exhaust gases may collect
at the rear of the vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window is open.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)
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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with one of the following wiring
harnesses for towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in
camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew cab pickups have a
seven‐wire trailer towing harness.
For vehicles not equipped with heavy duty trailering, the
harness is secured to the vehicle's frame behind the
spare tire mount. The harness requires the installation
of a trailer connector, which is available through your
dealer/retailer.
If towing a light‐duty trailer with a standard four‐way
round pin connector, an adapter is available from your
dealer/retailer.
Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness
Package
For vehicles equipped with heavy duty trailering, the
harness is connected to a bracket on the hitch platform.
The seven-wire harness contains the following trailer
circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
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*The fuses for these two circuits are installed in the
underhood electrical center, but the wires are not
connected. They should be connected by your dealer/
retailer or a qualified service center. The fuse and wire
for the ITBC is factory installed and connected if the
vehicle is equipped with an ITBC. The fuse for the
battery feed is not required if the vehicle has an
auxiliary battery. If the vehicle does not have an
auxiliary battery, have your dealer/retailer or authorized
service center install the required fuse.
If charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, press the
Tow/Haul mode button, if equipped, located at the end
of the shift lever. This will boost the vehicle system
voltage and properly charge the battery. If the trailer is
too light for Tow/Haul mode, or the vehicle is not
equipped with Tow/Haul, turn on the headlamps as a
second way to boost the vehicle system and charge
the battery.Camper/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Wiring Package
The seven-wire camper harness is located under the
front edge of the pickup box on the drivers side of the
vehicle, attached to the frame bracket. A connector
must be added to the wiring harness which connects to
the camper.
The harness contains the following camper/trailer
circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
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If the vehicle is equipped with the“Heavy-Duty
Trailering” option, please refer to “Heavy-Duty Trailer
Wiring Package” earlier in this section.
When the camper-wiring harness is ordered without the
heavy-duty trailering package, an eight-wire harness
with a seven-pin connector is located at the rear of the
vehicle and is tied to the vehicle's frame.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are included with the vehicle as
part of the trailer wiring package. These provisions are
for an electric brake controller. The instrument panel
contains blunt cut wires behind the steering column for
the trailer brake controller. The harness contains the
following wires:
.Dark Blue: Brake Signal to Trailer Connector
.Red/Black: Battery
.Light Blue/White: Brake Switch
.White: Ground
It should be installed by your dealer/retailer or a
qualified service center.
If the vehicle is equipped with an ITBC, the blunt cuts
exist, but are not connected further in the harness. If an
aftermarket trailer brake controller is installed, the ITBC
must be disconnected. Do not power both ITBC and
aftermarket controllers to control the trailer brakes at the
same time.
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The vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to the vehicle, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 2‑91and
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicleon
page 2‑91.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by an internal
circuit breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to
heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor
cools. If the overload is caused by some electrical
problem and not snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and other
power accessories. If the current load is too heavy, the
circuit breaker opens and then closes after a cool down
period, protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed or
goes away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode
Hybrid manual for more information.
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links. This greatly reduces the
chance of fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have
a spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the
same amperage. Just pick some feature of your vehicle
that you can get along without –like the radio or
cigarette lighter –and use its fuse, if it is the
correct amperage. Replace it as soon as you can.
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