If you’re among the 30 million RV enthusiasts and RV renters in the U.S., then you already know the importance of trailer brake controllers. When towing your trailer on the roads, your safety should be the top concern, and a single axle trailer brake goes a long way in helping you brake smoothly. If you haven’t installed trailer brake controllers, this is why you should. Here are the advantages of installing a single axle trailer brake control.
1. Gives You More Control
Electric trailer brake controllers help you monitor your trailer through the towing vehicle system that is installed in your towing car. This gives you more control as you can adjust the brake controllers as you drive. Single axle trailer brake control will also help in controlling trailer sway. Sometimes when you’re driving on rough roads, your trailer may sway dangerously and affect your mobility. With electronic trailers sway control, you can control your trailer sway from your driver’s seat.
2. Boosts Road Safety
You may have seen a trailer topple over or jackknife, and result in serious damage on the towing vehicle as well. Trailer brake controllers help you avoid a similar fate. When shopping for the best trailer brake controller, you should consider the weight of your trailer, and the horse and towing power of your vehicle. Knowing how to tow safely will prevent highway accidents that can be very catastrophic when they happen. Ensure that your trailer’s weight is not too much for your vehicle’s horsepower. Although the best brake controllers will help you brake smoothly and evenly, your vehicle should have enough towing power to comfortably pull the trailer.
3. Maintains the Service Life of the Brake Pads
Without a single axle trailer brake control system, your towing vehicle will provide all the braking power. With time, your brake pads will start to fade and wear out, and you’ll be forced to replace them consistently. This is not an expense you would desire to factor in your budget every now and then. When your brake pads wear out, the trailer may not immediately stop when you step on your vehicle’s brakes. This will cause the trailer to forcefully jerk your vehicle forward before it finally stops. This doesn’t help much when you’re making an emergency stop, and an accident may happen. It puts you and other motorists on the road in danger.
Now that you know the benefits of trailer brake controllers, you may wonder how many types of brake controllers are available for your use. Here are the two main types of brake controllers.
Proportional Brake Controllers
This type of brake controllers utilize inertia-based sensors, that can sense when your towing vehicle is slowing down or about to stop. When your tow vehicle slows down, the sensors automatically applies the same intensity to the trailer’s brakes. Hence, your trailer stops in tandem with the towing vehicle when you’re stopping gradually or making an emergency stop. Proportional controllers ensure smooth braking and also cause less wear and tear on your braking system. You can get electric or air brake controllers.
Time-delayed Brake Controllers
Time-delayed brake controllers send a predetermined power output to the trailer’s braking system. They utilize a sync setting that sends a signal to the brake controllers, which, in turn, sends voltage to the trailer brakes. Therefore, there’s a time delay between when you apply the brakes, and when the trailer stops. The sync setting allows you to adjust and control this delay. Time-delayed controllers are easy to install as they don’t utilize sensors. They’re also more affordable as opposed to the proportional controllers.
Trailer brake controllers are extremely important in ensuring towing safety. When buying a single axle trailer brake control, you should trust a reputable dealer near you, to sell you the best quality. The best brake controllers will boost your road safety by a long shot. Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A.
