Brake Controllers for Safe Travels
The power to move your trailer is only half the equation, you also need to be able to control and stop it. If you’re planning to tow a trailer, it’s important to invest in an electric trailer brake controller to safely tow any type of trailer, whether it’s a fifth wheel, travel trailer, or something else. Let’s take a look at what a trailer brake controller is, why you need one, what your options are, and how to choose the right one.
What Are Trailer Brake Controllers?
A trailer brake controller kit is usually installed inside the tow vehicle’s cabin, and it works by sending a message to your trailer brakes to activate whenever you step on the brakes of your tow vehicle. There are a few different styles of brake controllers, including wired controllers and completely wireless ones.
Traditional models use an inertia sensor that checks for a stopping motion, then applies the trailer brakes as necessary. Brake controllers used to be fairly basic, but they offer a wide range of options these days. Some controllers allow you to connect via a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone as well as customize and monitor your brake setup.
Why Do You Need a Trailer Brake Controller?
You might wonder why a trailer brake controller is necessary, so let’s examine a scenario. Imagine that your trailer loses the ability to brake and you’re traveling at 55 MPH on the highway and need to brake. Your tow vehicle stops, but the trailer’s momentum keeps going forward, which increases your stopping distance and might even cause a crash. In other words, you don’t want the responsibility for braking to be on only the tow vehicle or only the trailer.
What happens if you just wire the tow vehicle’s brake signal to the trailer? The problem with this is that it would apply 100% of your braking power every time, which will wear your brakes out very quickly and cause some rough stops. Brake controllers help manage braking intensity and speed based on your trailer and road conditions. You can even apply manual override on some controllers, which allows you to only apply the trailer brakes if you need to mitigate trailer sway.
What Are Some Brake Controller Options?
Now that you know how a brake controller works and why you need one, it’s time to look at the different options available. The main types of brake controllers include the following:
- Proportional brake controllers
- Time-delayed brake controllers
- Under-dash controllers
- Wireless controllers
- Dashboard knob controllers
The first two refer to the main categories of brake controllers while the last four are sub-categories that refer to how the controller is installed. Most new brake controllers belong to the proportional category. These controllers apply your trailer brakes with the same force that you apply the brakes in your tow vehicle.
For example, if you slam on your brakes to quickly slow down or stop, the trailer will do the same. If you gently coast to a stop at a light, then the controller will gently apply the brakes on the trailer so that it does the same thing.
Time-delayed brake controllers are more properly called user-controlled brake controllers. This means that you set how much power goes to your brakes and how much delay occurs between your tow vehicle’s brakes and the activation of the trailer brakes. The trailer will brake every time the same way according to your settings.
The main benefit of proportional controllers is that they are very precise and result in the least amount of wear on your brakes. The downside is that they can be pretty expensive. For time-delayed controllers, the main benefit is that they’re cheap and also ideal for off-road use. The downside is that they will cause a lot of uneven wear on your brakes over time.
Now, let’s explore the sub-categories.
Traditional Under-Dash Type
This type of brake controller installs under the dash and is a bit more complex to install than other types. These controllers are probably the least convenient type as they are quite bulky and must be mounted in your vehicle cab, usually at a specific angle. One benefit of this type is that they are inexpensive.
After selecting the trailer brake controller you want, you can also take advantage of our affordable professional installation services. You can find your H&H dealer quickly and easily here. It’s really that simple!
Wireless Type
This type is pretty new but increasingly popular. The reason for the popularity of these controllers is that they are simple and convenient to use and move between vehicles. You won’t have to install anything in the cab either. The downside is that they are more expensive.
Dash-Mounted Knobs
These are pretty similar to the traditional type with the added factor of having to install and wire a dash-mounted knob. The knob is less bulky and inconvenient than the under-dash type, but it does cost a bit more and it still has a fairly complex installation process.
You can find a wide range of the best trailer brake controllers at H&H Truck Accessories, including CURT trailer brake controllers, Blue Ox, and Hopkins Towing, as well as many other trailer accessories like sway control, trailer hitches, and much more. H&HTruck Accessories understands the importance of safe towing, and we proudly carry all the towing and trailer equipment and towing accessories that you need to travel safely.