How much is involved to add a hitch receiver without the OEM Z82 Trailering Equipment?

Z82 Trailering Equipment includes trailering hitch platform, 7-wire harness (harness includes wires for: park lamps, backup lamps, right turn, left turn, electric brake lead, battery and ground) with independent fused trailering circuits mated to a 7-way sealed connector, instrument panel jumper wiring harness for electric trailer brake controller, and 1-way sealed connector for center high-mounted stop/brake lamp.

If you wanted to go with a better receiver than OEM, would you order the $230 Z82 package or not?

Without this package, do you have to tap into wires, or is there an unused connector?

i dont have a trailoring package and i have the 7 pin under the truck. mine didnt come with the hitch or anything. i had to tap into the connector to wire up my recon white lightning light bar for turn signals, brake lights, parking lights and reverse lights. hope that helps

you can buy a 7 pin conector at the dealer for about $20.00 that will plug directly in to the factory harness under the left rear side of the bed it will be tucked up tight but its there. I installed this harness and a new hitch on my
Z71 and it works great.

You can even get the 7 pin at Wal Mart. There should be a plug above the spare on the right hand side to plug into.

Thanks for the info. I thought the connector was in the harness even without the Z82 Trailering Equipment pkg.

And I'm guessing the connector for a trailer brake controller is under the dash, too.

Mine had nothing when I ordered it, very easy to add a hitch, only had to drill 2 holes. You can get the 7 pin receiver (mine also has the flat 4 which is useful) that already has the plug attached. Just plug in as noted. It's tuck up by the spare. And there is a brake controler wire right there with it. From UPS to ready to roll in less than an hour and a LOT less than $230.

For aftermarket hitch I'd prefer one of the 2 1/2" reciever models. Most are a bit under $300 but IMO it's money well spent. One day I'll get one to replace stocker but my heavy loads get hooked to the gooseneck hitch.

Your profile doesn't indicate where you live. The OEM receivers are available cheap from this forum, especially if you live in Maryland.