When Do You Need Electric Brakes On A Trailer

In the usa a tandem axle utility trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating gvwr of 7500 lbs should have brakes installed.

When do you need electric brakes on a trailer.

A trailer brake controller is a small electronic device that installs in your tow vehicle s cab and activates your trailer brakes via an electrical signal whenever you apply your tow vehicle brakes. Remember that if you are considering electronic brakes you will need to install a control unit in the tow vehicle. Unless you were towing a load with a gtm below 750kg. They are activated via an electrical connection from the towing vehicle to the trailer.

If you re towing a trailer weighing between 750kg and 2000kg gtm you must have trailer brakes by law. This system consists of a battery mounted on the trailer and a normally closed switch. Some electric brake systems use a controller located on the brake pedal of the towing vehicle. Any trailer over 3000 lbs must have brakes on all wheels in most states but laws do vary.

Other states have a higher limit. In december of 1998 national towing regulations were implemented across australia following a unanimous decision by the state ministers of transport. Without an electric brake controller the electric brakes on your trailer will remain inactive. Override mechanical or override hydraulic are fine as are electric brakes or electric hydraulic.

This would put you in breach of the road rules in any state or territory of australia. How electric trailer brakes work. Most travel trailers use electric brakes. Using a brake controller while towing a trailer involves setting up the controller adjusting to the load size adjusting braking sensitivity manually activating the trailer brakes and possibly choosing a few personal settings.

These new regulations dictated that any trailer with a gross trailer mass gtm exceeding 750kg would need to be fitted with an electric brake control system. Some states require braked axles on trailers with a gvw as low as 2000 lbs. The controller senses when braking is being applied and activates the travel trailer s brakes as well. Electronic brakes are most commonly used on caravans and trailers over 750kg and are legally required on all caravans and trailers where the gtm is more than 2000kg.

In this guide we will unpack how a trailer brake controller works and the steps involved in how to use a brake controller while towing with trailer brakes. But there are a few types that you can use.