When hauling a trailer one of the most important things to think about is safety. Trailer sway can cause damage to whatever is being hauled and cause accidents. There is also significantly more weight for your car or truck to be hauling, which can lead to its own difficulties. Because of all this, there is a need to take precautions, like making sure your trailer has the best trailer brake controller possible.
There are essentially two types of brakes. The first is an air brake controller and the other is an electric brake controller. With either one of these types of brakes, you’ll need special wiring for trailer brakes. This wiring for trailer brakes is vital to using a turn signal and having working brake lights. That’s obviously more than a safety issue, but a legal one that is needed and comes from the wiring system for trailer brakes.
To understand which brake system would best fit your needs, here is a breakdown of the two systems:
What are Air Brake Controllers?
Air brake controllers are a braking system that uses compressed air to stop the vehicle. They’re used on commercial vehicles all time and are some of the most important parts of a vehicle. The reason that they have become the preferred method for commercial vehicles, like semi-trailers, is because the way the system works can couple multiple vehicle units. This works great for a trailer being hauled, as it will help brake the trailer as well.
What are Electric Brake Controllers?
Electric braking systems are based on magnets and wiring for trailer brakes that send signals to the magnets. Basically, the brake and tailer wiring are tapped together, and when the electricity pulses through, it magnetizes the brake magnet, causing the trailer to brake. This system is, like the air brake system, commonly used when hauling a trailer or RV.
Considering that there are over 50,000 accidents every year related to towing, it’s massively important to have the right brake system in place to avoid that kind of incident. So, if you’re going to be towing anything it is important to know which brake system is right for you and your trailer. It’s also worth understanding the wiring for trailer brakes that is involved with your trailer, to make sure that everything is operating as it should. This will keep you, and those around you, as safe as possible on the road.
Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A. and In-Stock!
