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Electric Trailer Brakes Explained: Why Choose Them?

Author:

Shirley

Jul. 15, 2024
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Electric Trailer Brakes Explained: Why Choose Them?

Braking is an important consideration when towing a trailer.

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If your vehicle is not able to stop safely while towing, then you are breaking the law and endangering your own safety.

Electric trailer brakes are a great, safe option for keeping you, your vehicle and your load safe.

So, what are they and why should you choose them?

These are the exact questions we are answering in this article, so keep reading to find out all the info on electric trailer brakes.

 

Electric Trailer Brakes Explained: Why Choose Them?

What Are Electric Trailer Brakes?

Electric trailer brakes are a type of braking system designed for trailers that are towed by passenger vehicles. That much sounds self-explanatory! These electric brakes are installed on the trailer and are activated by a brake controller in the towing vehicle.

When the driver applies the brakes in the towing vehicle, the electric brake controller sends a signal to the trailer brakes. That triggers the application of the electric brakes on the trailer wheels. Like any braking system, it helps to slow down or stop the trailer. Utilising electric brakes reduces the strain on the towing vehicle&#;s brakes.

An effective braking system can be adjusted to provide the optimal amount of braking power for the trailer&#;s weight and load. They also provide smoother, more controlled braking, which can be particularly important when towing heavy loads.

 

How Do Electric Trailer Brakes Work?

When you are towing a trailer, you are asking a lot of the braking system of your towing vehicle. Not only does it have to brake for its own purposes, but it has the added weight and force of the trailer connected. Electric brakes provide extra braking support so that you are not wholly reliant on the brakes of your towing vehicle.

Electric trailer brakes work by using a sensor that is controlled by the tow vehicle&#;s braking system. A controller is typically installed in the towing vehicle and is connected to the trailer&#;s electrical system. When the driver applies the brakes in the towing vehicle, the brake controller sends a signal to the trailer brakes through the trailer&#;s wiring harness.

The signal sent by the brake controller causes an electromagnet in each trailer brake to activate. When you release the brakes in the towing vehicle, the brake controller stops sending a signal to the trailer brakes. The electromagnet is released, and normal towing is resumed.

Electric trailer brakes can be adjusted to provide the appropriate amount of braking force for the weight of the trailer and the load being carried. This is either done by manual adjustment on the trailer&#;s brakes or the brake controller can be adjusted to control the amount of braking force applied by the trailer brakes in response to the towing vehicle&#;s brakes.

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What Are The Benefits Of Electric Trailer Brakes?

Electric trailer brakes have a number of benefits when it comes to towing:

  1. Improved safety: Electric trailer brakes can improve the safety of your towing setup as they provide better stopping power and more control when braking. They can help reduce the risk of accidents and prevent excessive wear and tear on your towing vehicle&#;s brakes.
  2. Smoother braking: Electric trailer brakes can provide smoother, more controlled braking compared to other types of trailer brakes, such as inertia or hydraulic brakes. This can be particularly important when towing heavy loads or travelling over rough and uneven surfaces.
  3. Increased control: With electric trailer brakes, the driver has greater control over the braking of the trailer. The brake controller can be adjusted to provide the appropriate amount of braking force for the weight of the trailer and the load being carried.
  4. Easy to install: Electric trailer brakes are generally easy to install and can be retrofitted to many types of trailers. They can also be easily adjusted and maintained to ensure optimal performance. Chat with our team today about having electric brakes fitted to your trailer or choosing a trailer that already has the capability.
  5. Versatility: Electric trailer brakes are compatible with a wide range of towing vehicles and trailers, making them a versatile option for a variety of towing requirements.

 

Electric Brake Installation

In order to use electric brakes, your towing vehicle must have a controller installed. Unless you have good mechanical knowledge, this is a job that should be undertaken by a professional.

Here at Lucca Trailers, we are experts in all things trailers, so we can get your electric brakes sorted. All of our trailers come with the option of electric brakes for improved safety and control.

Chat with us about your needs today and we can help you find the perfect towing solution.

Trailer Brake Controllers: The Advantages and Options ...

If you&#;re among the 30 million RV enthusiasts and RV renters in the U.S., then you already know the importance of trailer brake controllers. When towing your trailer on the roads, your safety should be the top concern, and a single axle trailer brake goes a long way in helping you brake smoothly. If you haven&#;t installed trailer brake controllers, this is why you should. Here are the advantages of installing a single axle trailer brake control.

1. Gives You More Control

Electric trailer brake controllers help you monitor your trailer through the towing vehicle system that is installed in your towing car. This gives you more control as you can adjust the brake controllers as you drive. Single axle trailer brake control will also help in controlling trailer sway. Sometimes when you&#;re driving on rough roads, your trailer may sway dangerously and affect your mobility. With electronic trailers sway control, you can control your trailer sway from your driver&#;s seat.

2. Boosts Road Safety

You may have seen a trailer topple over or jackknife, and result in serious damage on the towing vehicle as well. Trailer brake controllers help you avoid a similar fate. When shopping for the best trailer brake controller, you should consider the weight of your trailer, and the horse and towing power of your vehicle. Knowing how to tow safely will prevent highway accidents that can be very catastrophic when they happen. Ensure that your trailer&#;s weight is not too much for your vehicle&#;s horsepower. Although the best brake controllers will help you brake smoothly and evenly, your vehicle should have enough towing power to comfortably pull the trailer.

3. Maintains the Service Life of the Brake Pads

Without a single axle trailer brake control system, your towing vehicle will provide all the braking power. With time, your brake pads will start to fade and wear out, and you&#;ll be forced to replace them consistently. This is not an expense you would desire to factor in your budget every now and then. When your brake pads wear out, the trailer may not immediately stop when you step on your vehicle&#;s brakes. This will cause the trailer to forcefully jerk your vehicle forward before it finally stops. This doesn&#;t help much when you&#;re making an emergency stop, and an accident may happen. It puts you and other motorists on the road in danger.

Now that you know the benefits of trailer brake controllers, you may wonder how many types of brake controllers are available for your use. Here are the two main types of brake controllers.

Proportional Brake Controllers

This type of brake controllers utilize inertia-based sensors, that can sense when your towing vehicle is slowing down or about to stop. When your tow vehicle slows down, the sensors automatically applies the same intensity to the trailer&#;s brakes. Hence, your trailer stops in tandem with the towing vehicle when you&#;re stopping gradually or making an emergency stop. Proportional controllers ensure smooth braking and also cause less wear and tear on your braking system. You can get electric or air brake controllers.

Time-delayed Brake Controllers

Time-delayed brake controllers send a predetermined power output to the trailer&#;s braking system. They utilize a sync setting that sends a signal to the brake controllers, which, in turn, sends voltage to the trailer brakes. Therefore, there&#;s a time delay between when you apply the brakes, and when the trailer stops. The sync setting allows you to adjust and control this delay. Time-delayed controllers are easy to install as they don&#;t utilize sensors. They&#;re also more affordable as opposed to the proportional controllers.

Trailer brake controllers are extremely important in ensuring towing safety. When buying a single axle trailer brake control, you should trust a reputable dealer near you, to sell you the best quality. The best brake controllers will boost your road safety by a long shot. Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

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