Trailer Brake Controllers

We all know how brakes work on our cars, but what about that trailer you are pulling? That’s where trailer brake controllers come in and keep the trailer from becoming a threat.

You’re driving down the road in your SUV pulling a big trailer that the family will be staying in on your trip. Your SUV has more than enough power to pull the weight of both vehicles, but what about slowing things? If you slow down quickly, the trailer behind you becomes a randomly moving weight and can result in a host of safety problems.

Trailer brake controllers are designed to deal with this issue. They create a conduit between your towing vehicle and the trailer. The controller looks like a small box and is wired into your towing vehicle and then connected to the brake system for the trailer. Don’t worry. The wiring is simple and just involves a plug in system.

So, how do these brake controllers work? There are actually two types. The delay controller notes when you push the brake peddle down and sends a signal to the trailer to do the same. You preset the brake pressure on the trailer and it applies the same amount every time.

The second type is called the proportional controller. The system works the same basic way, but it senses how much you are pressing down on the brake pedal. It then “tells” the trailer brake system to press down a similar amount. This is the better system in my opinion. Why? Well, if you slam on the brakes, the trailer will do the same. If you barely touch them in traffic, the back brakes will barely come on instead of slowing dramatically.

Trailer brake controllers are a must when towing trailers and are legally required. They are a key safety feature, so spend the money to get a good one. You can shop for them here by entering the relevant information:

<< Back to Brake Articles