If you’re planning a road trip or hauling adventure, you’ve probably gone through your pre-trip checklist; lights, hitch, tire pressure, and trailer inspection. But there’s one essential item that often gets overlooked: brakes.
What are trailer brakes and why do you need them?
You might assume your trailer comes with everything it needs to stop safely, but most trailers don’t include a brake controller. The brake controller is installed in the tow vehicle and is what activates the trailer’s electric brakes.
Without it, your trailer’s brakes won’t respond when you hit the pedal. A brake controller ensures your tow vehicle and trailer slow down together, keeping your load under control and preventing dangerous sway or jackknifing. In many states, it’s also legally required for trailers over a certain weight.
Types of Trailer Brakes
Surge Brakes
How they work: When you decelerate, the trailer pushes forward against the tow vehicle, compressing a piston in the hitch. That pressure moves hydraulic fluid through the brake lines to engage the trailer’s brakes.
Activation: Automatic and mechanical, no electronic controller needed.
Best for: Simpler setups, such as boat trailers or trailers that are towed by different vehicles.
Pros:
- Self-contained system, no wiring to the tow vehicle needed
- Low maintenance and easy to use
Cons:
- Limited control and no manual adjustment
- Can unintentionally engage when backing up steep slopes
Electric Brakes
How they work: An electromagnetic coil inside each brake drum is triggered by an electric signal from a brake controller in your tow vehicle. The driver can adjust how much braking force the trailer applies.
Activation: Electronically controlled via a brake controller in the tow vehicle’s cab.
Best for: Heavier loads, frequent towing, or when precise braking control is needed.
Pros:
- Adjustable braking force for different loads and conditions
- Ability to manually apply brakes to correct trailer sway
Cons:
- Requires a brake controller and a power connection between the tow vehicle and trailer
What Happens Without a Brake Controller?
Imagine you’re towing a fully loaded utility trailer down a mountain pass. You tap the brakes, expecting both your truck and trailer to slow in sync, but without a brake controller, the trailer keeps pushing forward. The extra momentum makes it harder to slow down, forcing your truck’s brakes to work overtime. Within seconds, you smell burning brake pads, your steering becomes unstable, and you risk jackknifing or losing control entirely.
Not only is this unsafe, but it can also cause serious damage to your tow vehicle and may violate state towing laws for weight requirements.
Keep It Safe with Alaska Trailer
Brake controllers are a must for safe towing. At Alaska Trailer, we install brake controllers to make sure your trailer stops when you need it to. Schedule your installation online or give us a call at 907-929-4285, and we’ll help keep you rolling safely down the road.