Do You Have To Have A Brake Controller For Electric Brakes

There are two types of controllers the older time delayed variety and the newer proportional type.

Do you have to have a brake controller for electric brakes.

Electric trailer brakes do not work without a brake controller. Without this device the brakes simply won t work as there is nothing to send power or a signal to the brakes. A factory 7 way trailer connector isn t all you need to power a trailer s electric brakes. This allows quick and easy adjustments to the controller to provide for different levels of brake application for varying trailer loads.

If the trailer is equipped with electric brakes and you want them to actuate you ll need a brake controller. If you have a trailer with electric or electric over hydraulic brakes you usually need a brake controller. The brake controller essentially detects how much power is required by a caravan or trailer s brakes to safely slow down and stop. However some trailers are equipped with surge brakes.

An electric brake controller eliminates the chances of a trailer crashing into a tow vehicle by activating the trailer s brakes whenever the driver hits the vehicle brakes. You still need a brake controller. According to curt you can use its electric trailer brake controller on virtually any trailer with 1 to 3 axles 2 to 6 brakes. They require a brake controller in order to do so.

A brake controller is a fairly small investment that will go a long way to keep you safer when towing. When adjusting trailer brakes to tighten the trailer brakes turn the adjuster wheel by prying it upward with a brake adjustment tool or flathead screwdriver. Trailer brakes should be adjusted every 3 000 miles. These are a hydraulic braking system that uses the trailer s own weight and momentum to actuate the brakes.

Electric trailer brakes must be controlled by a brake controller mounted in the towing vehicle within easy reach of the driver. Most states have laws on the books about brake controller requirements typically any trailer 3 000 lbs or more requires one although laws vary by state. It s easy to see why trailer brakes and brake controllers are a legal requirement around the world and australia is no exception. Electric trailer brakes do not activate on their own.

Which way do you turn the brake adjuster. In order for the electric brakes on your trailer to work effectively it is necessary that you have a brake controller. Depending on how often you tow your trailer this translates to about once every 3 months. The answer is no.

Do you need a brake controller.