Identify the type you need
An electric trailer brake controller is an electrical unit that supplies power from the tow vehicle to the trailer's electric brakes. Many styles are available. They differ from how they look to the number of brakes they can power, but all of them can be divided up into two main groups, Proportional or Time Delayed.
Proportional Brake Controller
With proportional brake controllers, once the brake pedal is stepped on, there is a motion-sensing device that senses how fast the tow vehicle is actually stopping. the controller then applies power to the trailer brakes equally. This allows the trailer to stop at the same rate as the tow vehicle.
This type of brake controller provides the smoothest and quickest braking while also providing the least amount of wear on both the vehicle's, and trailer's brakes. Proportional controllers are energized by the brake pedal switch and activated by a pendulum circuit that senses the vehicle's stopping motion and applies a proportional voltage to the trailer's brakes. When properly adjusted, the trailer will decelerate at the same rate as the tow vehicle, increasing braking efficiency and reducing brake wear. the controller may have to be adjusted based on the trailer weight, and payload. Proportional brake controllers provide an additional level of safety because they will automatically adjust to full power if the tow vehicle makes an emergency stop.
Time Delayed Brake Controller
With Time Delayed trailer brake controllers, once the brake pedal is stepped on, the pre-determined amount of power (which is set by the user, based on trailer weight) is sent back to the trailer brakes. On time-delayed controllers, a delay always exists from when the brake pedal is pushed to when the unit reaches the user-set, maximum power output. The delay can be shortened or lengthened with the sync switch, available on most time-delayed controllers, but it behaves the same way for every stop (slow or fast). If the sync switch is set too low, the vehicle will do most of the initial braking, putting extra strain on the vehicle's brakes. If the sync switch is set too high, the trailer will be braking harder. So in most cases, either the truck or the trailer will be doing the majority of the braking, resulting in the possibility of uneven brake wear. A time delayed controller will typically be less expensive,
An electric trailer brake controller is an electrical unit that supplies power from the tow vehicle to the trailer's electric brakes. Many styles are available. They differ from how they look to the number of brakes they can power, but all of them can be divided up into two main groups, Proportional or Time Delayed.
Proportional Brake Controller
With proportional brake controllers, once the brake pedal is stepped on, there is a motion-sensing device that senses how fast the tow vehicle is actually stopping. the controller then applies power to the trailer brakes equally. This allows the trailer to stop at the same rate as the tow vehicle.
This type of brake controller provides the smoothest and quickest braking while also providing the least amount of wear on both the vehicle's, and trailer's brakes. Proportional controllers are energized by the brake pedal switch and activated by a pendulum circuit that senses the vehicle's stopping motion and applies a proportional voltage to the trailer's brakes. When properly adjusted, the trailer will decelerate at the same rate as the tow vehicle, increasing braking efficiency and reducing brake wear. the controller may have to be adjusted based on the trailer weight, and payload. Proportional brake controllers provide an additional level of safety because they will automatically adjust to full power if the tow vehicle makes an emergency stop.
Time Delayed Brake Controller
With Time Delayed trailer brake controllers, once the brake pedal is stepped on, the pre-determined amount of power (which is set by the user, based on trailer weight) is sent back to the trailer brakes. On time-delayed controllers, a delay always exists from when the brake pedal is pushed to when the unit reaches the user-set, maximum power output. The delay can be shortened or lengthened with the sync switch, available on most time-delayed controllers, but it behaves the same way for every stop (slow or fast). If the sync switch is set too low, the vehicle will do most of the initial braking, putting extra strain on the vehicle's brakes. If the sync switch is set too high, the trailer will be braking harder. So in most cases, either the truck or the trailer will be doing the majority of the braking, resulting in the possibility of uneven brake wear. A time delayed controller will typically be less expensive,
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