A trailer brake controller manages the operation of electrical brakes on a trailer, permitting the motive force to manage the braking drive
Once you’re hauling an RV trailer down the street, enduring intermittent matches of street rage, tailgaters, and suspiciously sluggish visitors within the passing lane, your RV brake controller is your greatest good friend. “Security” is a phrase that will get thrown round rather a lot within the RV trade, nevertheless it’s hardly ever outlined past innocuous references to parts, frequent practices, and preventative upkeep drills.
An RV trailer brake controller ensures the trailer stops in sync with the tow car—easy, but advanced in methods quickly to be revealed. It’s your key to secure and assured towing.
We’ll go over why they’re important, how they work, and one of the best choices available on the market (as a result of that is a kind of units you don’t need to go low cost on). For those who’re new to RVing, that is one thing that can assist paint the image of towing an RV safely. For everybody else, information is energy.
Why Trailer Brake Controllers are Important for RV Towing
With out an RV trailer brake controller, your tow car is tasked with stopping the total weight of itself and the rig. Perhaps not such a giant deal for a teardrop. Nevertheless it’s a wholly completely different situation for a Grand Design Solitude, which has a dry weight between 15,000 and 16,000 kilos.
“In most states you’re going to want a brake controller to remain authorized and hold you out of court docket if there’s an accident.”
Many people wish to brag about our vehicles, however that’s quite a lot of weight to convey to a screeching halt on a dime. Think about doing it downhill. However brake controllers have extra worth than simply synchronized stopping energy.
- Enhanced security and management: Type of goes with out saying, however can’t be emphasised sufficient. Brakes are utilized in proportion to the car’s braking depth, or with a preset depth.
- Safety for tow car and trailer: Much less put on and tear on the tow car, particularly the tow car’s brakes, because of distributed braking drive. Brake controllers additionally forestall trailer brake lockup.
- Authorized necessities: Gotta hold issues on the straight and slim. Brake controllers are obligatory in lots of areas all through america and Canada, relying on the journey trailer’s or fifth-wheel’s weight.
- Adaptability to load and situations: “Achieve” and “Enhance” choices permit drivers to fine-tune their efficiency based mostly on weight, street situations, and climate. Fashionable controllers additionally provide versatility, supporting a number of trailer profiles and dealing with electrical and electric-over-hydraulic brakes. Do you’ve multiple rig? Right here you go.
- Crucial for RV-specific situations: Sharing the load prevents “brake fade,” particularly in mountainous terrain and steep grades. That is important for emergency stops and boondocking, the place tough roads and uneven terrain are extra frequent.
One of the necessary components is stopping distance. That is large for brand new RVers, nonetheless getting accustomed to hauling a rig round. It takes a short while to get used to that stopping distance and the oppressive really feel of all that weight and drive from behind, as that crimson mild is quickly approaching.
For many who journey to Canada sometimes, our northern neighbors have related weight-based necessities up there. However at all times take the time to examine forward.
How Trailer Brake Controllers Work
Merely put, an RV trailer brake controller is a tool within the tow car that manages the operation of electrical brakes on a trailer, permitting the motive force to manage the braking drive so that you don’t roll over the car in entrance of you. There are various kinds of brake controllers (extra on that beneath), however that’s the meat and potatoes of it.
Operate and Operation
For those who’re not glad with the definition above, I’m right here for you. Now you get to learn as I ramble on with a extra thorough clarification.
- Driver Enter: The RV trailer brake controller is related to the car’s brake system and electrical system by way of a 7-pin trailer connector. When the motive force presses the brake pedal, the controller detects the motion both by means of the car’s brake mild circuit or the brake pedal.
- Sign Processing: The controller is chargeable for decoding the brake depth (how laborious you slam your foot down on the brake) and, in some fashions, the car’s deceleration. It calculates the suitable electrical present to ship to the trailer’s brakes.
- Energy Supply: The controller sends a variable present (12 volts DC) by means of the wiring and to the trailer’s brake magnets. Stronger brake depth will increase present, strengthening the magnetic drive, which presses the brake footwear towards the drums on the trailer’s wheels.
- Handbook Override: Basically, the RV trailer brake controller has a handbook slider or button that enables the motive force to interact the trailer’s brakes independently of the tow car’s brakes (which helps management trailer sway).
Kinds of Brake Controllers
For electrical techniques, there are three varieties of brake controllers. There are additionally hydraulic surge brakes, that are featured on some journey trailers and fifth-wheels, however they don’t require brake controllers (extra on that beneath).
Timer-Primarily based (Proportional)
A timer-based brake controller sends a preset quantity of energy to the trailer brakes, although there’s a slight delay between the second you interact the brakes to the second the trailer’s brakes kick in.
These timer-based controllers are easy, inexpensive, and fewer exact than the remaining two. They lack precision as a result of they’re preset, with a gradual ramp-up, whatever the tow car’s price of deceleration in actual time. On the optimistic facet, they’re typically good for light-weight trailers, easy tow autos, delicate terrains, rare RV journeys, and for individuals who are on a decent finances.
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reasonably priced (Between $50–$100) | Much less Exact |
| Easy Set up Course of | Poor Efficiency in Demanding Situations |
| Low Upkeep | Restricted Adjustability |
| Enough for Light-weight Trailers | Much less Consolation |
| Consumer-Pleasant | Primary Options |
Inertia-Primarily based (Proportional)
In contrast to the timer-based RV trailer brake controller, the inertia-based variation depends on an accelerometer to sense the tow car’s deceleration. It matches the trailer’s brake drive to the tow car’s. This creates a smoother and extra responsive braking really feel.
“Do you actually need to get monetary savings with a time delay controller? If I’ve a car pull out in entrance of me, I need braking instantly! P3 or P4 are properly revered. I take advantage of a P4.”
Inertia-based controllers are good for heavier journey trailers and fifth-wheels, particularly in the event you count on some various terrain encounters all through your many journeys.
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Precision Braking | Greater Price (Between $150–$200) |
| Safer for Heavier Hundreds | Complicated Set up |
| Versatility | Calibration Wants |
| Improved Braking Consolation | Upkeep Wants |
| Adjustable Settings | Potential Overkill for Light-weight Trailers |
| Breakaway Compatibility |
Sensible/Built-in/OEM
Some fashionable autos have built-in controllers that combine with the car’s electronics, or aftermarket-installed variations. This affords the motive force a number of superior options, like trailer sway management or dashboard-provided diagnostics.
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Seamless Integration | Costly (Provides to Manufacturing unit Prices or Costly as an Aftermarket Add-On) |
| Superior, Accessible Options | Automobile Compatibility is Restricted to Newer Tow Automobiles |
| Extremely Exact | Complicated Setup for Aftermarket Variations |
| Preferrred for Heavy Towing | Creates Potential Over-reliance |
| Enhanced Security Options | Upkeep Complexity |
OEM or Sensible Trailer Brake Controller
There’s a slight distinction between an OEM (Authentic Gear Producer) and a sensible brake controller. Sensible controllers are usually aftermarket, put in to completely combine with and leverage the car’s superior electronics. They provide options like proportional braking, sway management, and a full suite of diagnostics. For essentially the most half, these are the identical, although the excellence might be made between aftermarket and OEM.
Some older mannequin tow autos (pre-2010 vehicles) got here outfitted with OEM controllers, however they had been less complicated, missing fashionable good options like sway management and diagnostics. You probably have an OEM/Sensible controller, you’re possible driving 2020+ mannequin Ford F-250s, Chevy Silverado, or RAM 3500s. Some OEM/Sensible controllers return so far as 2015 fashions.
These brake controllers provide proportional braking, dashboard info, and are appropriate with electrical and electric-over-hydraulic brake techniques.
Hydraulic Surge Brakes
The one purpose these are within the article is that some new RVers will confuse these for an RV trailer brake controller. Hydraulic surge brakes are normally discovered on smaller journey trailers, with GVWRs lower than 7,000 kilos. Hydraulic surge brakes are comprised of a self-contained braking system that makes use of the drive of the trailer, because it pushes towards the tow car, to activate hydraulic fluid strain and compress the grasp cylinder.
The “surge actuator” is situated within the trailer’s hitch coupler and is chargeable for sensing deceleration. The place brake controllers talk from car to trailer by means of the tow car’s brake system, hydraulic surge brakes solely talk from the hitch coupler, based mostly on the appliance of drive.
Airstream Basecamps, nuCamp Tabs, and Forest River R-Pods function one of these braking system.
Fashionable Aftermarket Trailer Brake Controllers
After all, in case your tow car doesn’t come outfitted with a correct RV trailer brake controller, there are many aftermarket choices on the, uh, market. In addition to, they provide flexibility, portability, and a few include superior options, like Bluetooth communication.
Timer-Primarily based Aftermarket Controllers
The very last thing you need to do is leap on Amazon or some RV on-line market and snatch up a brake controller as a result of it seems to be good. Like the whole lot else in retail, there are good ones and dangerous ones, and all brake controllers have their advantages and disadvantages. When coping with timer-based controllers, you’re exchanging precision for affordability, so be cautious together with your buy.
CURT Venturer NEXT
The CURT Venturer NEXT is an inexpensive possibility ($60–$100) that’s dependable with out the upper value of proportional or OEM/Sensible controllers. It includes a slim, low-profile design, a contemporary aesthetic, and helps to reduce your dashboard litter. It has a plug-n-play setup with a vehicle-specific CURT wiring harness, adjustable settings, a user-friendly interface, and a restricted lifetime guarantee.
REESE Towpower Brakeman IV
The Reese Towpower Brakeman IV is designed for trailers with one- to 4 axles. It’s priced round $70–$80 on Amazon. It’s compact, versatile, and inexpensive, that are three stable promoting factors. It options output and sync controls, so you may customise it for the trailer’s weight. The digital show feeds you adequate information for changes and each day use.
Inertia-Primarily based Aftermarket Controllers
There’s little doubt that an inertia-based, aftermarket RV trailer brake controller is the go-to, most popular gadget amongst most RVers. They’re far more exact, easy, and superb for heavier trailers, particularly in case you are a frequent RVer and spend time boondocking or going off-grid into tough terrain.
Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Proportional
The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 is usually considered a top-tier RV trailer brake controller available on the market. It’s laborious to argue with that assertion. It includes a triple-axis accelerometer and is extremely versatile, user-friendly, and very exact. It helps 1 to 4 axles, options an LCD, and might be one of many easiest choices to function. Adjusting the acquire and enhance is an easy press of the button.
It’s customizable as properly, so you may personalize it to your personal tastes, not less than to a level. For an extra security contact, you need to use the override to appropriate sway. It’s additionally surprisingly simple to put in, which is a big profit for individuals who choose to not spend the additional cash on knowledgeable set up. MSRP is slightly below $250.
REDARC Tow-Professional Elite
The REDARC Tow-Professional Elite isn’t up there in reputation with the Tekonsha P3, nevertheless it’s a surprisingly high-quality different. It options dual-braking modes and off-road capabilities that different proportional brake controllers lack. Just like the Tekonsha P3, it has a three-axis accelerometer and a “proportional” mode that auto-adjusts braking when decelerating for smoother stops.
The primary unit is concerning the dimension of a big deck of playing cards, which is a part of what makes it a preferred possibility—the concealment issue and dashboard decluttering.
Set up issues
Skilled set up will run the common RVer $200+. You may get it executed at most RV dealerships, trailer and towing specialty retailers, and automotive restore/customization retailers.
For those who determine to go along with a DIY strategy, most timer-based controllers mount beneath the sprint, whereas proportional variations could require calibration and a wiring harness that’s particular to your car.
Selecting the Proper Brake Controller for Your RV
There are 5 main issues: Trailer weight, axle rely, towing frequency, car compatibility, and finances choice. Not each RV trailer brake controller is created equally, nevertheless it’s uncertain you’ll run into something so costly it’s a must to promote your kidney on the black market and refinance your property to acquire.
- Light-weight Trailers <3,000 lbs: Stick to a timer-based, ideally the CURT Venturer.
- Heavy trailers >5,000 lbs: Proportional, just like the Tekonsha P3 or REDARC Tow-Professional Elite.
- Tech-Savvy RVers: Bluetooth fashions just like the CURT Echo Cellular.
- Glorious Automobile Integration: Search for superior aftermarket choices, just like the Tuson DirectLink.
- A number of Trailer Profiles: The Prodigy P3 can deal with completely different RV and trailer varieties, in case you tow greater than the identical one.
- Sprint Declutter: Search for compact, versatile, easy-to-install choices just like the REDARC Tow-Professional Elite
Assess your trailer, consider your towing wants, examine your tow car, set a finances, evaluate options, and analysis your set up choices.
“The Tekonsha P3 is one of the best. I had that on my final truck. I had the P2 earlier than that. Neither is nearly as good because the in-built one in my F-150 although however for an add on, the P3 is one of the best you may get.”
No matter what you determine on, take your time trying them over. It’s a extremely good concept to analysis the evaluations behind every one. Bounce on RV boards like iRV2, Forest River Boards, Air Boards, Jayco Homeowners, and so on. For those who’re simply kicking off your RV journey, RVers are sometimes very happy to supply their private experiences and knowledge.
Conclusion
And, there it’s. The RV trailer brake controller in all its glory and magnificence. Properly, it received’t look that means, mounted in your sprint or elsewhere, however you’ll actually agree if it retains your RV from sideswiping one other car when you’re going 60+ mph.
I threw across the time period “inexpensive” a bit, nevertheless it’s actually only a matter of some levels. Even proportional, high-end brake controllers received’t break the financial institution. For those who want it, then it’s the one to go for. Skilled installs aren’t that dangerous both, although you may in all probability get into the $600+ realm with knowledgeable set up of a high-end gadget.
Simply remember to undergo a full evaluation of your RV and towing car wants earlier than you determine, and examine with different RVers. Talking of which, remember to discover RV Life, the boards, and our different sources and articles on towing suggestions. Additionally, be happy to record your RV trailer brake controller choice or ask questions in our remark part beneath!
