2015 Chevy Colorado - Install Trailer Hitch, Wiring, Brake Controller

This 2015 Chevy Colorado is getting a Curt receiver hitch, 7 pin trailer wiring connector, and a brake controller. Chevy made it pretty easy for us. We also fix a few other minor issues and do some rust proofing!
Check out Vehcor: / @vehcor

[@WatchWesWork]

Check out Vehcor: kzbin.info/door/Mgk1R0_ZbEQrEhQWRYkVIA

[@vehcor]

Thanks for the support! I don't have much time to watch too many channels but now it looks like I have to make time for one! I love the family content, everyone needs an afternoon crew! Great channel! Keep up the good work!

[@johndeerekid167]

Glad to see my 2 favorite Illinois KZbinrs cross paths.

[@WatchWesWork]

@@vehcor Thank you sir! I love watching your videos and your constant jabs at the comment section. I don't think I have anything to offer other than support as a fellow long suffering Illinois resident...

[@michaelnewman5734]

@@WatchWesWork , vehcor has been a nother of my faves but must be busier than you . Short videos and few and far between.

[@lostintime8651]

@@vehcor not you again. it's Friday. time to get bored.

[@remsman86]

“Danger is my middle name, so we’ll let it ride” made me chuckle

[@TheJstewart2010]

When you said that, all I could hear in my head was the "Shake Hands With Danger" theme song.

[@w.i.s.c.-wiingotsandcastin6641]

Your parents must be awesome to give you such a cool middle name, Wes " Danger" Work.

[@mrswes]

🙄

[@adnacraigo6590]

I will watch whatever you record for us. All I can say is that your mom and dad did a good job raising you.

[@JoeHynes284]

i watch these vids with my daughter. She is severely disabled, but laughs like crazy when she sees your kid goofing around!

[@mrswes]

😊😎

[@mabmachine]

Watching Mrs Wes watching Little Wes Watch Wes Work.

[@chess135]

took me 3 times hahaha

[@clarencenesmith781]

It is quite refreshing to see an honest mechanic at work. Good videos, great family, wishing you all the best.

[@pettyfogger2305]

Great capture of "low hanging fruit" in the automotive orchard with delicious Weslian aplomb ( Geez, I hope I said that right). I have to say that your alternate ending is a 'Stan and Olivia' moment that shows promise to become its own channel!

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Very professional job Wes. You have a very good vocabulary in English. Sometimes I must look up in the dictionary the words you use so you are helping me expand my vocabulary. I can teach you Italian! I love this little Chevrolet truck. I just got a Ford Ranger with a 5 cylinder diesel/automatic transmission.

[@WatchWesWork]

That's the worst thing about English. Because it's not really a language, but a collection of words from other languages, we have to have 20 words for everything!

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

Loved the alternate ending. Is Mrs Wes going to post a video on the benefits of using Scotch Locks?

[@WatchWesWork]

Probably. She loves subverting me!

[@ladeseddy5994]

Poor Mrs Wes blushing.....

[@CXensation]

Hope not. Scotch locks are dead sure problems, the moment the car enters a New York - like - winter season.

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

@@WatchWesWork LOL!

[@mrswes]

@@WatchWesWork 🙄

[@tomrausch7014]

Perfect timing. Off Market Place I scored a tire/rim $25. for our used Ranger just 5 miles from home. In talking with the guy found out we go to the same Church. Price dropped $5. I looked at his 2 Rangers he’s gonna make into 1 good one and asked him if he needed 2 receiver hitches. No, you can HAVE it once I get it off. BTW the wheel/tire was the spare and had never been on the road. Paid for with pop can deposits neighbor had left on side of road marked free, $17 left over. “Tony” could use thoughts and prayers as his landlord is selling his rental house, has the Ranger project and just found out he has throat cancer. (Non-Smoker)

[@45AMT]

Yeah you can see the rust starting to pop. Now's a good time for rust proofing. The closing of this video is priceless! Lots of good laughs!

[@kentmckean6795]

An auto mechanic with K/O cutters!, wow, I am impressed. :)

[@somerandomguy3868]

I'm convinced that style connector is the work of the devil, Mrs W should do all the wrap-ups

[@WatchWesWork]

I agree on both counts!

[@niteninja0133]

Dang a video on a Thursday, love em when they come out on the weekend.

[@frankd.3985]

Quality work as always Wes. The way that I prepare a small guage wire for insertion into a larger connector or terminal is to strip about 1/2" of insulation from the wire and then bend the copper in half forming a double thickness of conductor that will be compressed better when you crimp the connection.

[@WatchWesWork]

I do that as well, usually when doing 1 into 2 or 1 into 3 connections. I've seen factory wires crimped that way.

[@peteraitken6494]

Great job wes appreciate the time you put in to making these videos for all of us to enjoy awesome job as usual mate 👍👍🔧🔧🔧

[@watermanone7567]

Nice job, can't wait to see the tire machine and balancer in use. Thanks

[@Bobsutubes]

Nice demonstration. Loved the family moment outake at the end. Thx...

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Love the alternate ending your wife Said use the scotch loks 🤣🤣 she has the most infectious Smile Great video as always @Watch Wes Work

[@PCgamestech]

Where was this video when I needed to install a towing hitch for the inlaws. Love the video Wes Great details for sure will help someone in the future.

[@redgar6467]

Excellent. Thanks. Just got a Colorado with no hitch so your timing is perfect.

[@henryg683]

Can’t wait to see the tire machine and balancer hope that you’re bride is staying safe back at work stay safe and healthy!!!

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi wonderful family, from UK. Thanks for everything!

[@milwsdl39]

Another great video glad to see the family I wish you guys well out there you’re very Thorough in it’s nice to see

[@jimcady9037]

You are quite correct on the scotch locks used them once. Lessoned learned. Catch you on the next video.

[@wingdwolf56]

I was just about to complain that I heard Mrs Wes’s voice but didn’t get to see her... I’m happy now. The outro was the BEST!!

[@jacobcole6340]

Very helpful video just finished wiring my red 2015 crew cab colorado thanks for posting 👍 the brake box works heck yeah !

[@Le_Comte_de_Monte_Felin]

Definitely want to see the tire machine videos. Those are on my 'wish list' for things I'll only use once and then curse because they're in my way.

[@calvinwright1816]

ok, I'm getting scared, HOW DID WES KNOW, I was installing a trailer hitch in my truck?!?!? and I had no clue how to wire it up, with the lights blinking at goofy speeds, and the trailer brakes, and was guessing how to mount it. thanks for the video!!!! :D

[@robertspear9134]

Installing one too on my work van, trailer brake etc. I was like wow just what I needed

[@Jayf1981]

Good content Wes, keep it coming, we will watch! I'd like to see you hook up the tire machines.

[@darcybowyer5743]

One of the Defenders in the household has scotchlocks spliced in to the indicator wiring for the bullbar, I remember telling the old man they were hot when trying to find a wiring issue and he told me they were fine! Will never use again.

[@lisawest7002]

Hey Wes,love your channel. I started out working on tractors 🚜 on our farm. Went on to be a master certified Ford technician.. 👍

[@davedemo8229]

wow a non crusty vehicle. like working in the south. Joy. you just reminded me. its time to fluid film my truck for the winter.

[@DoRC]

You can also buy a solid state relay to replace the stock turn signal relay. It allows you to adjust the flash speed and won't flash at different speeds depending on the resistance of the circuit.

[@dennisbailey4296]

I was having a real crappy day. And than I watched Wes and his wonderful Wife!! Now my day is complete with a good chuckle and how to put a hitch on properly!! All the Best from Canada

[@WatchWesWork]

That's great!

[@jukeman57]

Excellent work Wes. If you take a job, do it right. And you always do the job right and, go the extra mile to look out for your customers safety. Thanks.

[@WatchWesWork]

I try to!

[@thomasbradley4868]

Thank you for this video because I have a 2015 truck and this help me so much .😊

[@jafo9346]

The joy of your videos is that nothing is "telegraphed", I never know what's coming! Great ending and another fine bit of work!

[@WatchWesWork]

I like to keep a variety.

[@kaigunfan]

Nice Vehcor shout out! Must be something about Illinois. Waiting for Mr Spotty to visit.

[@WatchWesWork]

Mr. Spotty is a busy guy!

[@patricksullivan9951]

Hi Was, loved the alternate ending, we can fix it up in Post! Roll tape! Take 2!!

[@Funkyjbell]

Great bit of instruction here. You should train people. You’re very good at it.

[@michaelb.5345]

Great instructional video, the more I watch the more amazed I get smart guy..

[@endall6783]

I like your vids and I watch Vehcor yes he knows what he's doing

[@Aengus42]

You were right about that Lexus! I think I'll have nightmares, let alone that dude putting the thing back together! When it lit up I was speechless!

[@RobertKohut]

Great work Wes, thanks for letting me watch you work.... :-)

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

yet another solid video! Great job!

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks Hank!

[@etheroar6312]

Absolutely nailed the outro. Thanks for the laughs.

[@flir67man84]

That truck is in good shape, so glad you coated the frame.. i learned from mustie1 bar and chain oil(chainsaw oil) .. it works great.. i got two 25 year trucks coated both frames..your way is much cleaner

[@psavel274]

You did em a solid by spraying the spare tire hanger. Out here in NY they're ALL rusty and stuck.

[@DangerousSportsForSeniors]

Love the alternate ending. Thanks for sharing

[@WaIIyMaven]

Being setup for tire changes and repairs seems like a good choice. You should be able to keep pretty busy.

[@gonecoastaljk6913]

Job well done sir, I just did this on Friday to a 2012 f150 at my work and other than the rust (central Illinois) it was a easy four bolt job and even though the truck didn’t have a tow package it did have a factory four flat connector which I removed and installed a 7 way plug instead just because we don’t don’t have any trailers with a four flat anymore.. I’m just like you, I hate those stupid scotch lock things! Normally what I do since we have it all on hand is make up weatherpak connector plugs that way whatever I’m installing can simply be removed by unplugging it but for this install I went with one of my newer favorites which are solder filled butt connectors with shrink tube! You insert each wire and in the middle of the connection there is what looks like a normal crimp barrel but instead it’s a barrel made of solder, align the wires and start by heating the solder until it flows and the finish it off by heating the shrink tube which also has glue in it. Super strong and water tight connection although not sure why I went to the trouble beings we will never use that truck to pull any trailer because we don’t have any that light but instead we needed the hitch to be able to pull our sewer hoses out of sewer when they get hung up from our big vactor sewer cleaning trucks... next project is to design some form of captive hitch to secure that hose to the truck and won’t let the hose slip which tears the hose. For the last 22 yrs we have used a standard Pintle hitch and just wrap the hose around it a few times, close the locking jaw, put truck in 4 low and hope for the best! This process tears the hose up which costs $10250 for 650ft which is what our trucks hold and although they do make menders to repair it but because of the water pressure the trucks put out vactor says only two menders can be used in 650’ and they have to be at least 250’ apart!

[@zweg1321]

Great video of the proper way to do a hitch and brake controller In my younger days I installed hitches Sometimes people would come in with the biggest mess that they made themselves One I fixed after owner did it himself. Was all mounted to the safety bumper that was coming apart

[@WatchWesWork]

Yikes!

[@FastEddie007007]

I live in Florida and I love scotch locks, been using them for 40 years. We don't all live in a battery acid environment.

[@peterwilliams4795]

Many years ago back in the 80s I worked for Telecom Australia as Lineman and we used Scotchlocks by the thousands dare I even say millions and some of these connections are still going strong now in 2020s but are being replaced by optic fibre so completely new technology is being used to connect wires together

[@jimspeed1388]

Scotch locks have been plaguing the U.K. for years when I was at tech college over 25 years ago the instructors warned us all about using them.he also said don't go wiring spot lights in of the main beam wiring either. One of lads said it's ok if do it with speaker wire lol.

[@craigadavies7963]

Hi Wes n Co,, AKA: Mech, Tech, n Young Apprentice . Nice job Wes , we do love the proverbial, "EASY MONEY" However,, as well demonstrated by the Tech n Apprentice , It's hard to find good help. Another classic W W W Much Respect from Down Under

[@faspit95]

Great video! Tough without your hired assistant. For rust prevention, I'm from the east side of Illinois, same rust as you. I have been following Mustie1 who uses used non synthetic oil in a Hudson type sprayer with a hose inside the frame rails. It works.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yeah that would work.

[@125sm3]

Nice one, great explanation on how to.

[@lloydrobinson7081]

I love watching u r videos , Please keep them coming

[@klydolph2]

A friend of mine started work at an undercoating shop. They had maps of cars where to drill holes to spray into cavities and such. When the old lady came to pick up the car, she pulled out the seat belt like normal and it was soaked in Tectyl so she ruined her coat. The seat belt was spooled up into a cavity. Wisdom - always pull out the seat belts before spraying into the cavities around them.

[@mischef18]

Awesome video bro the ending was priceless. Y'all stay safe

[@castvee8]

The job was perfect. The dog was awesome! the alternate ending was fun as hell. I give this video a full hitch thumbs up Too funny and great comic relief!

[@michelbrodeur6055]

I like that you mentioned the differences between a factory installed wiring and a plain setup. I got a giggle out of your comment about the best loctite rust. Your comment about shops refusing to install hitches is because of the word LIABILITY (sorry about the shouting) as they are responsible for the workmanship of the install. The shop that let the vehicle out with 60% of the fasteners would have been at fault if the accident investigators determined the sloppy job was responsible for the incident due to the trailer hitch dropping off the tow vehicle. Keep up the good work you do.

[@chuckmoore61]

I recently had to tow a trailer with my dad's 19' Colorado and it wasn't wired. They make the pigtail to go to the factory style trailer wiring, both pieces are available at U-Haul.

[@twistedwrench490]

Great job as usual Wes!

[@donnierobertson3088]

Great job and video like always

[@StudiesSpeedShop]

Great video Wes! You and Camarata are my favorite You Tubers

[@CAPNMAC82]

Another excellent video. Trailer hitches are a pain in butt. Easy work, but takes up a lift that could have better return work.

[@WatchWesWork]

I suppose that is true, but I don't like turning away work.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Almost 80,000 subscribers. I came on board at less than 1000. Your doing good Wes!

[@WatchWesWork]

It's been crazy. Last year at the time I had just hit 10,000.

[@williamfindspeople4341]

Nice tire machines, best investment I ever made, plus if you maintain them they have a great resale value. With the balance machine, it's easy money.

[@WatchWesWork]

The tire machines sell in a heartbeat, yet you can hardy give away a used balancer. It's crazy.

[@kenmccormick3052]

Of some interest, perhaps, I live on west coast. When I got to Florida, found they used a different wiring configuration, than the west coast. Had to put the wires out of connector, and change there placement, to make the trailer light and brakes work right.

[@ItsAlwaysRusty]

After market items, but with your professional install, Eric O would be proud...

[@madmodifier]

Brake controller on a Colorado?!?!? lol. To each their own. Thanks for taking time to make and edit the videos!

[@WatchWesWork]

I just do what the customer asks.

[@Paladun100]

Sta-Con is a great connector set you can buy in kits like you have with the connectors and tool

[@billbly1691]

Enjoy your channel I look forward to them

[@182dll]

Wes you're a lucky man. She's a keeper.

[@WatchWesWork]

She's something...

[@ShouldersMoondog549]

Nice Video!! Those pliers you used in the cab, I believe they were Klien brand, I have the ones made by T&B, should the cutting tips break off (one pair of mind did) I saw in a motor shop they just grind off the rest of the cutting tip and now the pliers can get into a tighter space between wires. Love those pliers, they make really great crimps!!

[@RedRacconKing]

Looking forward to the tire machine video!

[@Le_Comte_de_Monte_Felin]

24:05 - Every upper manager ever when they think no one is watching...

[@nickpopelka]

Another classy video

[@turbochardged]

Any mechanical work is great content as far as I'm concerned. Would like to see if the 1250 has a calibration procedure. Either way, I'm watching.

[@rustblade5021]

love fluid film. better than regular dielectric since it flows and is self healing. i spray it in all my work vehicle ignitions and battery disconnects as well

[@joelaughlin2815]

Wore my lil 3/8 impact out! Danged handy!

[@gerardtrigo380]

Installed a hitch on a 2007 Jeep Commander. Factory units. All the wiring was in place with plugs. Plugged in the factory connector with pigtail and screwed it in place. Installed the controller and plugged it right on into the harness. Didn't have to splice wire one. Took about an hour for the entire job taking my time. I am surprised the Chevy Truck was not as prepared. Tow capacity is listed on the driver's door frame from the factory. Without a tow package the Colorado for that year had a max tow capacity of 4500 lbs. Kind of overkill putting an 8,000 lb tow hitch on a truck that cannot legally and safely tow that heavy a trailer. Not to mention the extra stress on a drivetrain and suspension not designed to handle that sort of loading.

[@wilbertbirdner1303]

Back in the day my dad would've just welded a tounge into that bumper support with a couple of braces and called it good. When I was a kid I remember him putting a hitch on a Suzuki van which had a 1L engine and probably weighed less than 800kg

[@WatchWesWork]

My dad used to pull a 7 ton deckover trailer behind a Ford F-150 with the factory bumper hitch. I think that bumper is rated for 2 tons. He broke everything else on that truck, but never the hitch!

[@pi3ize]

28 minutes, perfect for my lunch break.

[@bohhica1]

Awesome job and video, loves this kind of stuff.👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@sarahmathias9463]

You also used the patented Vehcor cavity wax and trim installer tool!

[@dave1135]

You working on this truck reminds me of that old staples ad, "that was easy" you ought to get one of the buttons and when you finish a simple job you can just push it. Lol

[@Chris-yy7qc]

Just a quick tip, because I deal with this kind of stuff all day long. :-) When you have to crimp a 14 gauge wire to a 20 gauge wire obviously the butt connector will be too big for the 20 gauge. Just take another wire stick it into the butt connector and cut it off flush, so the copper strains remain in the butt connector. Repeat until theres enough copper (similar to a 14 gauge), then insert your small wire and crimp it. That way you make sure the small wire doesnt fall out later and you dont damage the butt connector during crimping. We call this "stuffing". If the difference between the two wire gauges is not that big, I remove the insulation 2 or 3 times the length I need, then just fold the wire 2 or 3 times, insert it into the butt connector and crimp it.

[@WatchWesWork]

I like the fold over method as well. I've even seen it in factory wiring.

[@butler386]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@awesomeguy8392]

Best outro ever!!

[@whoolph]

Great work . . . great family . . . . . Rog

[@jake2213b]

My company must have build some special trailers back in the 50's. One day I was told to junk a bunch of them out and rebuild a few of them. For the lights I found out they just solder the wires and black tape them which work great. Today I have seen connectors that you put two wires together and then you use your heat gun that will melt solder to bond the wires and seal the tubing. I never use them but they look good. On the splice connector you hate. The only way I use them is I hate to cut wires so I strip a little .insulation off clip the wires then black tape and use Liquid black tape to seal. I use the liquid black tape on everything outside and it works for the long haul.

[@WatchWesWork]

Lots of people talk about those heat and solder connectors. I tried a few and didn't like them.

[@eformance]

Thinking about the big ground wire, it's probably because of the EMI generated by the brake controller. A beefy ground will help suppress the switching noise from the controller since the brakes are just big inductors. You might have some noise in the radio with a small ground wire.

[@watajob]

ATF and acetone? Mighty stout looking rear axle for a mid size. Wow! The good stuff! 10-4 on the tire machines! Fluid film is good in frames, too.

[@WatchWesWork]

It even has 6 bolt wheels. It's more like a 1/2 ton truck.

[@lawrenceveinotte]

great info, i picked up a relay box at the wreckers for my 95 f350, the brake controller has a place to plug in under the dash from factory and i have the proper connector, there is a factory place back by the rear bumper to plug a 7 pin connector, but that is $350 at the dealer and i cant find one at the wrecker, i did find a new 15,000lb class 5 hitch on craigslist for $100 :)

[@WatchWesWork]

On my truck the wiring was there in the cab, but not in the chassis harness. I had to run wires for the brakes along the frame rail and connect to the control wire at the firewall.

[@terryalexander5582]

you and the family , way to cool !