I tow a boat with my 2023 1500 Z71 Silverado LTZ 4-door crew cab. My boat trailer has a Dexter (UFP style) surge actuator to activate the trailer brake when the truck is slowing. The Dexter actuator also has a solenoid that uses 12.5 VDC from “backup” feature from the bumper mounted 7-pin trailer receptacle. According to all the literature I’ve read, the center pin on the 7-pin connector supplies voltage for the surge brake actuator when in reverse (12+ VDC)… i.e. when pulling my trailer, no voltage is needed but when I backup, the truck supplies 12.5VDC to the center pin. My issue is that this truck supplies a constant 12.5 VDC to the center pin rendering my surge brake useless. A factory option in this 2023 truck is it has “Trailer brake controller, integrated” installed.

Question: Is it standard to have 12.5VDC to the backup center pin on the 7-pin connector?

Question: What do I need to do to get the correct surge brake voltage to the center pin?

 

I seriously don't think it is supposed to have voltage until it is put in reverse. I would call the dealer or get a good schematic of your exterior lighting.

 

Thanks for the input. I did go by the dealership last week and setup an appointment for Thursday, 3/26/2026.

 

Please report back with your findings!

 

The truck appears to be fixed... or at least the truck portion appears good. After initial evaluation, the trailer brake control module took 2 weeks to arrive and 1 day to install. During the initial pull, the trailer did well. The surge brake worked correctly and the backup brakes disengaged correctly. But over time the trailer brakes developed a small leak. Now it's time to repair the surge brakes on the boat trailer... yet again!!! I guess that's what happens with older trailers.