When Do You Need Electric Brakes On A Trailer

This system consists of a battery mounted on the trailer and a normally closed switch.

When do you need electric brakes on a trailer.

In december of 1998 national towing regulations were implemented across australia following a unanimous decision by the state ministers of transport. Any trailer over 3000 lbs must have brakes on all wheels in most states but laws do vary. Most travel trailers use electric brakes. This would put you in breach of the road rules in any state or territory of australia.

Unless you were towing a load with a gtm below 750kg. But there are a few types that you can use. Other states have a higher limit. 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.

They are activated via an electrical connection from the towing vehicle to the trailer. Without an electric brake controller the electric brakes on your trailer will remain inactive. 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.

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. 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. Override mechanical or override hydraulic are fine as are electric brakes or electric hydraulic.

This means that for towing any load beyond a basic box trailer it s crucial that you have trailer brakes. This basically just means that when you hit the brakes in your car the brake controller delivers the message to your trailer so that it can stop too. Most states require that trailers using electric brakes be equipped with a safety circuit called a breakaway system designed to apply the brakes if the trailer disconnects from the tow vehicle. Some electric brake systems use a controller located on the brake pedal of the towing vehicle.

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