If your boat trailer, utility trailer, box or RV weighs over 2500 pounds, is likely to contain the brakes. Unless your trailer has surge brakes, it is the law in most states, and always a good idea, to equip your tow vehicle with an electric brake controller.

The electric brake system requires a brake controller to be able to brake the car with the application of power to the brake system. The heavier your trailer the stronger and more powerful brakes system you will require. The best place to install the electric brake controller is near the dash board as it allows the driver to have easy access to it and if he has to press the brakes all of a sudden it’s in close range for him to hit the brakes. Furthermore, if the brakes are synchronized with the vehicle brakes give the driver a better chance to avoid the trailer to swing away.

A time delay activated brake controller is solid state, and works through a time delay circuit, sending a gradual voltage to the trailer’s brakes. This is the most common driver because of the low cost, ease of installation and low profile. There have been problems with the brakes pulsing with this type of brake controller with the emergency lights are in use.

The other main type of brake control is inertia, or the style of the pendulum. The oscillating circuit voltage proportional to apply the brakes when the brake petal is applied. This allows the towed vehicle to slow down at the same speed as the towing vehicle. The advantage of this is that a gradual braking term, and less wear on the brakes of the trailer. The disadvantages are the high cost of the controller, and the installation is more complicated because the driver has to be completely flat and in correct position, and the controller is larger.

The brake control is more of a professional team and if they are unfamiliar with this team all the best to spend the extra money and get a professional to install it on your car yourself rather than try it and ends in failure, Unless, of course, if you are a professional yoursel.

The author is multi faceted and enjoys a variety of good topics including information on First up gazebo or Enclosed cargo trailer.