How do I know if my truck has the factory "tow package"? Right now the truck has a 5-way plug and a 6 post plug in the bumper. I understand the electronic brake controller is plug and play and I am going to clean things up in the back and install the 7-way plug. But is that it?

How do I know if my truck has the factory "tow package"? Right now the truck has a 5-way plug and a 6 post plug in the bumper. I understand the electronic brake controller is plug and play and I am going to clean things up in the back and install the 7-way plug. But is that it?
Seems to me that a duramax/allison 2500HD truck IS a tow package! I don't believe there are any additional upgrades that can be had, as far as trans cooler, engine oil cooler, heavier springs, shocks, etc., it's already there. If you have the brake controller harness and the trailer plug, then I think you have all there is to have. Procede to TOW!!! :D



I'm sure if I'm wrong somebody will be sure to say so...;)

Options on window sticker include--trailering special equipment includes: trailer hitch platform, electronic shift transfer case, electric rear window defogger, forged polished aluminum wheels lt245/75E oor bw tires, roof marker lights, osrv duel power heated mirrors, camper/5th wheel trailer wiring. This is in addition to snow plow prep pkg: 130 amp alternator, transmition oil cooler. and as an extra locking rear differenial Yeah all duramax trucks are good towers but you need these extras, says the General

Mine has the tow package, and had a factory 7 pin receptacle and a factory harness for the brake controller in the glove box if I remember correctly.

I know ford trucks come pre-wired with a 7 wire plug in and a straight 4 pin plug under the bumper installed

Options on window sticker include--trailering special equipment includes: trailer hitch platform, electronic shift transfer case, electric rear window defogger, forged polished aluminum wheels lt245/75E oor bw tires, roof marker lights, osrv duel power heated mirrors, camper/5th wheel trailer wiring. This is in addition to snow plow prep pkg: 130 amp alternator, transmition oil cooler. and as an extra locking rear differenial Yeah all duramax trucks are good towers but you need these extras, says the General


Guess mine won't tow well. I'm missing the cab lights.

Options on window sticker include--trailering special equipment includes: trailer hitch platform, electronic shift transfer case, electric rear window defogger, forged polished aluminum wheels lt245/75E oor bw tires, roof marker lights, osrv duel power heated mirrors, camper/5th wheel trailer wiring. This is in addition to snow plow prep pkg: 130 amp alternator, transmition oil cooler. and as an extra locking rear differenial Yeah all duramax trucks are good towers but you need these extras, says the General
What is an "Extra Locking Rear Differential" ? :confused:

My window sticker didn't have "trailer special equipment" but came with everything except the rear-window defogger, and the heated mirrors. I got the towing mirrors and mine are not power anything.

Guess mine won't tow well. I'm missing the cab lights.
):h Yeah, I don't have the rearwindow defogger.....bummer.

What is an "Extra Locking Rear Differential" ? :confused:

My window sticker didn't have "trailer special equipment" but came with everything except the rear-window defogger, and the heated mirrors. I got the towing mirrors and mine are not power anything.


):h Yeah, I don't have the rearwindow defogger.....bummer.

I think what he meant was "and as an extra, a rear locking differential."

extra, comma, locking rear differential. same as posi-traction

most states in mid-west require trucks 3/4 and up to haveside marker and cab lights

Interesting bit of information. I wonder if its an actual law or just something they want. Because if they aren't paying for it and its an option I find it hard to believe that it can be required. Kinda like the factory voiding warranties because an aftermarket air filter was used.

Moved to Towing

most states in mid-west require trucks 3/4 and up to haveside marker and cab lights

only the DRW are required to have cab lights

Thanks to all replies. To narrow my question down, I'm interested in the wiring I will need to utilize the brakes on my camper. It has the standard 7-way plug. There is a wiring harness at the rear of the truck with 7 wires, I'm assuming all I need to do there is wire in a plug, and then plug an electronic brake controller to the board next to the gas petal? Is there a fuse I will need or is that all? Anything I need to look for on fuse panel?

My 03 came with the 7 pin harness already on the truck. All I had to do was plug in the brake controller.

Thanks to all replies. To narrow my question down, I'm interested in the wiring I will need to utilize the brakes on my camper. It has the standard 7-way plug. There is a wiring harness at the rear of the truck with 7 wires, I'm assuming all I need to do there is wire in a plug, and then plug an electronic brake controller to the board next to the gas petal? Is there a fuse I will need or is that all? Anything I need to look for on fuse panel?

As long as you have a 7 pin hookup in the rear and plug in your brake controller on the BEC(panel under dash) you should be good to go. The 40 amp maxi fuse necessary under the hood powers the +12V hot lead in the 7 pin plug. That lead commonly charges breakaway brake systems on the trailer. Like anything else, hook everything up and give the brakes on the camper a try... if it works you are all set, if not then something else is missing.

Good luck

Thank you! I'm probably making this more difficult than it really is. Which spot is that 40 amp maxi fuse suppose to be?

Thank you! I'm probably making this more difficult than it really is. Which spot is that 40 amp maxi fuse suppose to be?

IIRC its the spot labeled 'stud 1'. There may be a dummy fuse in there right now that will need to be removed and replaced with a real one. Just look at the row of maxi fuses and see if there are any missing.

Thanks for your help!