Do you really need a trailer brake controller?
The answer is, no. Electric trailer brakes do not work without a brake controller. If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, you will need a brake controller to tow. These are a hydraulic braking system that uses the trailer’s own weight and momentum to actuate the brakes.
How important is a trailer brake controller?
If you’re towing a trailer, it’s vital that you have the right brake controller to make sure your trailer’s brakes are always working. Many brake controllers are also adjustable and can make towing and stopping your trailer much easier. This will help keep you and the other drivers on the road with you safe.
What does a wireless brake controller do?
A Bluetooth brake controller is a brake controller that uses radio signals to connect to your smartphone, allowing it to become the interface for trailer brake operation. Bluetooth eliminates the need for physical wires or cables to be connected from the brake controller to the phone.
What kind of trailer brake controller do I need?
– Proportional controllers are the safest and most responsive braking system you can install. – Time-delayed controllers are for the occasional user and proportional ones are best for the heavy trailer user. They operate better under various conditions and produce less wear on tow and trailer brakes.
What is the difference between trailer brake controllers?
A proportional brake controller will activate the trailer brakes at the same time and with the same intensity as the tow vehicle brakes whereas a time delayed brake controller will activate the brakes at a predetermined time and intensity once the brake pedal is pressed in the tow vehicle.
What are the two types of brake controllers?
There are two types of brake controllers — proportional brake controllers (shown above) and time delayed brake controllers. Although there are several different styles, we can divide brake controllers into two distinct groups — proportional brake controllers and time delayed brake controllers.
Why is there a delay in my trailer brakes?
There is a delay from when you begin slowing (red line) to when the power levels build up in the trailer to compensate (blue line). Time activated brake controls apply braking power at a fixed rate of time that is NOT proportional to the pressure you apply to your brake pedal.
Do brake controllers have to be level?
Expert Reply: Electric proportional brake controllers are required to be manually leveled by hand according to the parameters outlined in the installation instructions. Not all brake controllers have the same mounting range so you need to make sure you follow the instructions.
Why do brake controllers need to be level?
The reason this is important is because it cannot always be mounted flat (perfectly level) due to the shape of the interior on a vehicle. You would choose one that had a wider range for more mounting options. The Tekonsha P2, # 90885, can be mounted 360 degrees in the direction of travel and not tilted side to side.
How much voltage should a trailer brake controller put out?
The engine of the towing vehicle should be running when checking the voltage so that a low battery will not affect the readings. Voltage in the system should begin at 0 volts and, as the controller bar is slowly actuated, should gradually increase to about 12 volts.
How do you check brake voltage on a trailer?
To determine if a brake magnet has an internal short, touch the base of the brake magnet to the negative post of a 12-volt battery. Then, connect one of the brake magnet wires to the negative lead of a multimeter and the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive post of the battery.
How do you troubleshoot an electric trailer brake controller?
Check the wires on the trailer brake magnets. Each magnet should have two wires: one for power, and one for ground. Make sure that the ground wire is attached to a clean metal area without any paint or corrosion. The power wire should be intact and have a solid connection to the electric brake signal wire.
Why does my trailer brake controller not work?
Check the wiring connection at the tow vehicle’s positive and negative battery terminals if the brake controller displays signs of no power source. If there is less power at the trailer connector than at the controller, check for issues with the wiring between the two components.
How do I know if my electric trailer brakes are working?
You can indeed test a trailer’s electric drum brakes by directly applying +12V power from a fully-charged battery. You can apply this power to the hot and ground contacts on the trailer’s plug (see photo please) or to an individual brake assembly’s two wires.
How long do electric trailer brakes last?
A good safety rule is to check your brakes every time you head out, and certainly to replace them no less often than you replace your tires. I suggest no more than 12 months or 12,000 miles between changing brake parts that can wear.
Do I need a battery on my trailer for the brakes to work?
Electric trailer brakes can work on a trailer that doesn’t have a breakaway system. The only time the breakaway battery will change how the brakes are performing is when the pin of the system has been pulled and the voltage of the battery is being applied to the brake assemblies.