Month: November 2020

When it comes to your personal or business towing needs, utilizing smarter and safer systems and technology is essential. What is the best type of brake controller for you? Let’s take a look at the different types of brake controllers available and how they can be beneficial to you.

What Are Brake Controllers?

Brake controllers are electronic systems that send a signal from your vehicle’s brakes to your trailer. This technology allows for safer stops as well as reduces the damage to your vehicle’s brakes. You may wonder what is the best type of brake controller for you, so here are a few different kinds that you should consider purchasing for your own towing needs.

Specialty and Premium Brake Controllers

What is the best type of brake controller for you? Consider specialty and premium brake controllers. The Genesis, the G2 Brake Boss, and the Air Actuated Controller fall under this category. All three are compatible with two, four, six, or eight Electric brakes. The Genesis provides better accuracy by automatically leveling with road incline or decline and can adjust to larger towing loads through its boost features.

The G2 Brake Boss is a step up from the Genesis. It has a manual activation lever and has a liquid crystal display so you can see the braking power and modes. The Air Actuated Controller provides smooth and proportional braking with air brake systems and has automatic and manual operation options for the electric trailer brakes.

Inertia/Proportional Brake Controllers

These controllers consist of the Energize III plus and the Endeavor. The Energize III plus is compatible with two, four, or six Electric brakes, while the Endeavor is compatible with two, four, six, or eight Electric brakes. The Energize III plus applies faster and smoother proportional braking and has more power and control. You can choose to have automatic or manual braking. The Endeavor has a digital display so you can see its features and percentages. It can also be used with electric and electric over hydraulic braking systems.

Time-Based Brake Controllers

What is the best type of brake controller for you? It may be a specialty or a proportional brake controller, or it could be a time-based brake controller.

Time-based brake controllers include the Syncronizer and the Engage. The Syncronizer should be used with light-duty trailers, and it has built-in, automatic current limiter protection. It is compatible with two or four Electric brakes, while the Engage is compatible with two, four, or six Electric brakes. The Engage trailer brake controller has adjustable buttons regarding time settings as well as contains a digital display to view percentages and its other features.

With many options to choose from, what is the best type of brake controller for you? Weight distribution systems are recommended if your trailer weight is more than 50% of your vehicle’s weight, so be sure you find a brake control system that works for you and your needs. Let us over here at Hayes Towing Electrics help find the right trailer brake controller solution for you. We want to help keep you safe, so contact one of our representatives today.

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NHTSA reports show there are more than 50,000 towing-related accidents every year. Most of the accidents are a result of improper brake controller adjustments. When set incorrectly, the brake system wears out rapidly and poses danger when towing your trailer. According to the brake controller reviews, each type of brake controller requires a different setup, especially if using the tow vehicle to tow various trailers. Some people use the vehicle to tow a travel trailer and on other occasions to haul a utility trailer. Since the trailers have varying weights, you need to tweak the controller to the needs of the respective trailer. The next section explains how to adjust electric brake controllers depending on the mounting options.

What is an Electric Brake Controller?

It is a small electronic device that activates a trailer’s brakes using an electric signal whenever the driver applies to the tow vehicle brakes. It means when you hit the brakes of your car, the controller transmits the message to the trailer causing it to stop too.

It also helps control trailer sway and manages your stopping distance by syncing the vehicle’s and the trailer’s brakes setup. This is because a brake controller comes equipped with a manual override that allows you to apply a trailer’s brakes without applying those of the tow vehicle. The feature is also particularly useful when opening a manual slider for the fifth wheel hitch in short-bed trucks.

Adjusting the Controllers

Modern electric brakes for trailers provide up to four mounting options:

• Wireless controllers
• Dashboard knob controllers
• Trailer-mounted controllers
• Traditional under-dash controllers

Wireless Controllers

This type is relatively new but has become a popular option as it has a simple set up. It doesn’t need the complex wiring on traditional controllers. You only need to connect the unit to the trailer, download a mobile application, and pair the device via Bluetooth. This means the setup doesn’t need any splicing, crimping, or tweaking. Some units are even controlled using remote controls on the car’s cab. According to many brake controller reviews, wireless controllers are a pretty convenient option as they are easy to install, operate, and move between vehicles.

Dashboard knob controllers

This kind has a similar setup as the traditional controller but it needs the dash-mounted knob installed and wired. The knob can be mounted anywhere on the towing vehicle, at any orientation, and is your means of adjusting the controller. It is equipped with LED lights that indicate the trailer’s braking power and other diagnostics.

If mounting it on a vehicle with a 7-way installation kit, you don’t need to do all the hardwiring; simply plug it in and play. However, if the vehicle doesn’t have any pre-wiring done, it would help if you added a 4-way installation kit. Brake controller reviews that prefer the dash-mounted controller like its discrete nature because it doesn’t need too much setup space like the traditional controller.

Trailer-mounted Controller

This kind is mounted to the main module instead of the vehicle cab. Based on various brake controller reviews, the most apparent benefit is that it keeps your towing vehicle free of clutter while allowing you to adjust the braking system. Therefore, it makes an excellent controller for owners who don’t switch tow vehicles frequently.

Traditional Under-dash Brake Controllers

They are the oldest kind and need lots of hardwiring. However, if your vehicle has a 7-way installation kit, you may avoid all the hardwiring required as it comes with a vehicle-specific wiring adapter.

General Adjustment Tips

• Ensure the trailer wiring harness is connected to the towing car. This is because the controller needs power from the car and a connection to the trailer’s brakes
• Allow the controller to calibrate. Some trailer brake controllers are self-calibrating while others need manual calibration
• Fine-tune it to your settings. Some controllers allow users to adjust the devices to their preferences. This means you can adjust the angle of the interface, the location of the controller, or the brightness of the screen. Adjust all such settings before setting off for a drive
• Set the maximum output. It is the highest amount of power the controller can apply to the trailer brakes. Be sure to adjust this level based on the load size

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