| If your boat trailer, utility trailer, box trailer or RV | | | | inertia, or pendulum style. The pendulum circuit |
| weighs over 2000 pounds, it probably contains | | | | applies proportional voltage to the brakes when |
| brakes. Unless your trailer has surge brakes, it is | | | | the brake petal is applied. This allows the towed |
| the law in most states, and always a good idea, | | | | vehicle to slow down at the same speed as the |
| to equip your tow vehicle with a brake controller. | | | | towing vehicle. The advantage to this is smooth |
| An electric trailer brake controller supplies power | | | | braking notion, and less wear on the trailer's |
| from a tow vehicle to a trailer's electric brakes. | | | | brakes. The disadvantages are the higher cost of |
| The two main types of controllers available are | | | | the controller, and installation is trickier because |
| time delay and inertia controllers. Both are | | | | the controller needs to be completely level and |
| activated by the tow vehicle driver pressing the | | | | adjusted properly, and the controller is bulkier. |
| brake pedal. Both can be adjusted by the user, | | | | Installing a brake controller is simple for a tow |
| and both have a pressure switch which allow the | | | | vehicle equipped with a factory tow package. |
| driver to apply the trailer brakes independently of | | | | Installation consists of mounting the controller |
| the tow vehicle. | | | | under the dash of the tow vehicle, and hooking up |
| A time delay activated brake controller is solid | | | | the wires! Check where you buy your controller |
| state, and works through a time delay circuit, | | | | for a brake control wire harness specific to your |
| sending a gradual voltage to the trailer's brakes. | | | | vehicle. |
| This is the most common controller because of | | | | For vehicles not pre wired, and if you are uneasy |
| the inexpensive cost, ease of installation and low | | | | with bundles of wires, you might leave installation |
| profile. There have been issues of the brakes | | | | of your brake controller to a trained professional. |
| pulsing with this type of brake controller when the | | | | But, if you know what you are doing, and can |
| hazard flashers are in use. | | | | follow the instructions included with the controller, |
| The other main type of brake controller is the | | | | installation shouldn't be a problem for you. |