If you’re hauling materials and equipment, or you’re planning to go on a long journey, then you’ll likely tow a trailer or camper of some kind. While an incredibly convenient addition, trailers and campers add an abundance of weight connected to the back of your tow vehicle that you must manage. Let’s talk about the importance of electric brake controllers on your trailer.

What Electric Brake Controllers Are

Because trailers can weigh up to thousands of pounds, the inertia that develops behind them can quickly become a danger on the road. Your tow vehicles’ brakes won’t be sufficient at worst and will put a great deal of strain on your vehicle’s brakes at best. You can install electric brakes onto your trailer to help distribute the stress and help your vehicle and trailer come to a stop.

Electric brakes are beneficial because they automatically adjust when you press the brakes on your tow vehicle—ensuring your braking speed is consistent between your vehicle and your trailer. This feature is especially beneficial when you use a remote trailer dolly, as the much smaller mass of the dolly will struggle to compensate for the trailer’s inertia.

How They Compare With Older Brakes

To better illustrate the importance of electric brake controllers on your trailer, we should compare them to older models of trailer brakes. On older models, the brakes wouldn’t adjust to how softly or hard you hit your vehicle’s brakes. No matter what, the trailer brakes would always apply the same amount of force, which could cause an awkward stagger between your vehicle and your trailer—potentially causing damage.

State Requirements

Lastly, many states have requirements that say you must have electric brakes installed on your trailer, regardless of size or weight. It’s always a good idea to check your state’s regulations regarding trailers, but electric brakes are always a smart investment regardless of your trailer.