Do You Have To Have A Brake Controller For Electric Brakes

Electric trailer brakes must be controlled by a brake controller mounted in the towing vehicle within easy reach of the driver.

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

Without this device the brakes simply won t work as there is nothing to send power or a signal to the brakes. You still need a brake controller. These are a hydraulic braking system that uses the trailer s own weight and momentum to actuate the brakes. Depending on how often you tow your trailer this translates to about once every 3 months.

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. This allows quick and easy adjustments to the controller to provide for different levels of brake application for varying trailer loads. 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 work without a brake controller.

A factory 7 way trailer connector isn t all you need to power a trailer s electric brakes. If the trailer is equipped with electric brakes and you want them to actuate you ll need a brake controller. They require a brake controller in order to do so. If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes you will need a brake controller to tow.

According to curt you can use its electric trailer brake controller on virtually any trailer with 1 to 3 axles 2 to 6 brakes. Electric trailer brakes do not activate on their own. Trailer brakes should be adjusted every 3 000 miles. There are two types of controllers the older time delayed variety and the newer proportional type.

Some ford f 150s are equipped with a factory integrated brake controller which you may have. This unit is fully compatible with cruise control anti lock brakes. If you have a trailer with electric or electric over hydraulic brakes you usually need a brake controller. In order for the electric brakes on your trailer to work effectively it is necessary that you have a brake controller.

A brake controller is a fairly small investment that will go a long way to keep you safer when towing. 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. 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. Which way do you turn the brake adjuster.

However some trailers are equipped with surge brakes.