Trailer brake controller: Difference between revisions
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A [[brake]] controller is usually an [[ |
A [[brake]] controller is usually an [[original equipment manufacturer]] or aftermarket-installed device or module. It is mounted to the tow vehicle's driver's-side dashboard area, and engages a trailer's electrical braking system either time delayed, or in proportion to the tow vehicle's brake engagement when slowing down or coming to a halt. A brake controller is not needed with a [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailer]] [[Overrun brake|surge braking system]] unless using modern electric over hydraulic devices. The trailer in this case usually has either [[electric friction brake]]s or electric-hydraulic trailer brake actuators. |
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Most basic brake controllers will generally have a |
Most basic brake controllers will generally have a plus-minus gain adjustment. The tow vehicle operator sets the gain as high as possible but without the trailer brakes locking up after making a few test stops. The heavier the trailer, the higher the gain adjustment is set and therefore the less chances of wheel lock-up.<ref name="Hurricane">{{cite web|url=http://www.bestelectricbrakecontrollers.com/trailer-brake-controllers-the-complete-guide/|title=Trailer Brake Controllers-The Complete Guide}}</ref> |
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A wide range of trailers |
A wide range of trailers contain trailer brakes (for example, larger boat trailers, [[horse trailer]]s, covered utility trailers, enclosed trailers, travel trailers including small {{convert|10|ft|disp=or|adj=on}} and longer tent trailers and car carriers). Smaller trailers may not contain trailer brakes (for example, basic {{convert|4|x|8|ft|m|disp=or|adj=on}} utility trailers). It is recommended that, if the total trailer weight is over a couple thousand kilograms, the trailer have some sort of braking system, and the tow vehicle be equipped with a brake controller.<ref name="PS1951">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0SADAAAAMBAJ&dq=popular+science+1951+how+your+train+stops&pg=PA103|title=''What You Should Know About Trailer Brakes'' 1951 Popular Science article that covers the basics very well|date=July 1951}}</ref><ref name="PS2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FyoDAAAAMBAJ&dq=popular+science+1930&pg=PA111|title=What You Should Know About Trailer Brakes, Popular Science, July 1969, pp. 111-113, an update of the 1951 article.|date=July 1969}}</ref> |
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== |
== Types == |
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There are |
There are different types of brake controllers currently or previously on the market. |
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; Air-actuated electric brake controller |
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No actual brand preference is intended here, just be aware that the sooner the trailer brakes are applied after the pedal is pressed the shorter the braking distance will be. |
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: This controller uses the air pressure of the brake system on a vehicle with [[Air brake (road vehicle)|pneumatic brakes]] to provide a current to control the electric brakes of a trailer.<ref name="Hayes Air Actuated">{{cite web|url=http://www.hayesbc.com/?page_id=1065|title=Hayes Air Actuated brake controller|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20131002201404/http://www.hayesbc.com/?page_id=1065|archivedate=2013-10-02}}</ref> |
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; Hydraulic-actuated electric controller |
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=== Air Actuated Electric Brake Controller === |
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This controller uses the |
: This controller uses the hydraulic pressure of the brake system on a vehicle with [[hydraulic brake]]s to provide a current to control the electric brakes of a trailer.<ref name="Maxbrake">{{cite web|url=http://www.plugitright.com/MaxBrakeController.html|title=Maxbrake controller|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226182121/http://www.plugitright.com/MaxBrakeController.html|archivedate=2009-12-26}}</ref> Some truck manufacturers offers this as an OEM option, like Ford with its [[Ford TowCommand]]. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
=== Hydraulic Over Electric Controller === |
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| ⚫ | |||
This controller uses the hydraulic pressure of the brake system on a vehicle with [[hydraulic brake]]s to provide a current to control the electric brakes of a trailer.<ref name="Maxbrake">{{cite web|url=http://www.plugitright.com/MaxBrakeController.html|title=Maxbrake controller}}</ref> Some truck manufacturers offers this as an OEM option, like Ford with its [[Ford TowCommand]]. |
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| ⚫ | : Senses the deceleration of the vehicle through a pendulum or similar device to apply a suitable current for braking of the trailer.<ref name="Tekonsha">{{cite web|url=http://www.tekonsha.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=2&parentid=1400&catID=1435&part=0|title=Tekonsha proportional brake controllers}}</ref><ref name="Curt">{{cite web|url=http://www.curtmfg.com/Category/200/Brake%20Controllers|title=Curt brake controllers}}</ref><ref name="Draw-Tite Proportional">{{cite web|url=http://www.draw-tite.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=2&parentid=1400&catID=1435&part=0|title=Draw-Tite Proportional brake controllers}}</ref> |
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; [[Overrun brake|Surge brake]] |
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| ⚫ | : When the tow vehicle slows down the trailer pushes against it, an actuator applies force to its master cylinder and the hydraulic pressure is transferred to the brakes<ref Name="NAME">{{cite web | title = Hydraulic Surge Trailer Brake Actuators | url = http://www.easternmarine.com/Hydraulic-Surge-Brake-Actuators/ |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Senses the deceleration of the vehicle through a pendulum or similar device to apply a suitable current for braking of the trailer.<ref name="Tekonsha">{{cite web|url=http://www.tekonsha.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=2&parentid=1400&catID=1435&part=0|title=Tekonsha proportional brake controllers}}</ref><ref name="Curt">{{cite web|url=http://www.curtmfg.com/Category/200/Brake%20Controllers|title=Curt brake controllers}}</ref><ref name="Draw-Tite Proportional">{{cite web|url=http://www.draw-tite.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=2&parentid=1400&catID=1435&part=0|title=Draw-Tite Proportional brake controllers}}</ref> |
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=== Surge Brake === |
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| ⚫ | When the tow vehicle slows down the trailer pushes against it an actuator applies force to its master cylinder and the hydraulic pressure is transferred to the brakes<ref Name="NAME">{{cite web | title = Hydraulic Surge Trailer Brake Actuators | url = http://www.easternmarine.com/Hydraulic-Surge-Brake-Actuators/ |
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| accessdate = 2014-11-21 }}</ref> |
| accessdate = 2014-11-21 }}</ref> |
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; Time-delayed brake controller |
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| ⚫ | : Applies brake current with a ramp-up over time to a certain level set by the driver.<ref name="Curt">{{cite web|url=http://www.curtmfg.com/Category/200/Brake%20Controllers|title=Curt brake controllers}}</ref><ref name="Draw-Tite Proportional" /><ref name="Hopkins">{{cite web|url=http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.com/products/brake-controllers/brake-controllers.html|title=Hopkins brake controllers}}</ref> |
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=== Time Delayed Brake Controller === |
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| ⚫ | Applies brake current with a ramp-up over time to a certain level set by the driver.<ref name="Curt">{{cite web|url=http://www.curtmfg.com/Category/200/Brake%20Controllers|title=Curt brake controllers}}</ref><ref name="Draw-Tite Proportional" |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Vehicle braking technologies]] |
[[Category:Vehicle braking technologies]] |
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[[Category:Automotive accessories]] |
[[Category:Automotive accessories]] |
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[[Category:Vehicle |
[[Category:Vehicle modifications]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:40, 21 August 2023
A brake controller is usually an original equipment manufacturer or aftermarket-installed device or module. It is mounted to the tow vehicle's driver's-side dashboard area, and engages a trailer's electrical braking system either time delayed, or in proportion to the tow vehicle's brake engagement when slowing down or coming to a halt. A brake controller is not needed with a trailer surge braking system unless using modern electric over hydraulic devices. The trailer in this case usually has either electric friction brakes or electric-hydraulic trailer brake actuators.
Most basic brake controllers will generally have a plus-minus gain adjustment. The tow vehicle operator sets the gain as high as possible but without the trailer brakes locking up after making a few test stops. The heavier the trailer, the higher the gain adjustment is set and therefore the less chances of wheel lock-up.[1]
A wide range of trailers contain trailer brakes (for example, larger boat trailers, horse trailers, covered utility trailers, enclosed trailers, travel trailers including small 10-foot or 3.0-metre and longer tent trailers and car carriers). Smaller trailers may not contain trailer brakes (for example, basic 4-by-8-foot or 1.2-by-2.4-metre utility trailers). It is recommended that, if the total trailer weight is over a couple thousand kilograms, the trailer have some sort of braking system, and the tow vehicle be equipped with a brake controller.[2][3]
Types
[edit]There are different types of brake controllers currently or previously on the market.
- Air-actuated electric brake controller
- This controller uses the air pressure of the brake system on a vehicle with pneumatic brakes to provide a current to control the electric brakes of a trailer.[4]
- Hydraulic-actuated electric controller
- This controller uses the hydraulic pressure of the brake system on a vehicle with hydraulic brakes to provide a current to control the electric brakes of a trailer.[5] Some truck manufacturers offers this as an OEM option, like Ford with its Ford TowCommand.
- Pedal-mounted pressure pad proportional controller;
- A separate sensor is mounted on the brake pedal to connect to the controller.[6]
- Proportional brake controller
- Senses the deceleration of the vehicle through a pendulum or similar device to apply a suitable current for braking of the trailer.[7][8][9]
- Surge brake
- When the tow vehicle slows down the trailer pushes against it, an actuator applies force to its master cylinder and the hydraulic pressure is transferred to the brakes[10]
- Time-delayed brake controller
- Applies brake current with a ramp-up over time to a certain level set by the driver.[8][9][11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Trailer Brake Controllers-The Complete Guide".
- ^ What You Should Know About Trailer Brakes 1951 Popular Science article that covers the basics very well. July 1951.
- ^ What You Should Know About Trailer Brakes, Popular Science, July 1969, pp. 111-113, an update of the 1951 article. July 1969.
- ^ "Hayes Air Actuated brake controller". Archived from the original on 2013-10-02.
- ^ "Maxbrake controller". Archived from the original on 2009-12-26.
- ^ "AL-KO Sensabrake controller".
- ^ "Tekonsha proportional brake controllers".
- ^ a b "Curt brake controllers".
- ^ a b "Draw-Tite Proportional brake controllers".
- ^ "Hydraulic Surge Trailer Brake Actuators". Retrieved 2014-11-21.
- ^ "Hopkins brake controllers".