If you do a lot of towing with your truck, you most definitely need an electric trailer brake controller. These controllers are aftermarket additions that are necessary for trailers grossing over 1000 pounds.
Even though trailer brake controllers are designed for heavy towing when your car’s brakes can’t sufficiently control the trailer’s momentum, buying the controller even if you tow a light trailer is added safety that you wouldn’t want to overlook.
The brake controller has senses when you apply brakes in the towing vehicle and activates the brakes on the trailer. This means that the trailer doesn’t have to rely on the vehicle to stop hence reduces chances of skidding or fishtailing under hard braking.
If you have already done your research and are eager to see the best electric trailer brake controllers, here is a roundup of the very best. If you want to learn more, scroll down. We have additional information and tips on brake controllers that you will find quite handy.
Top Electric Trailer Brake Controllers to Buy
| Name | Type | Number of Brake Axles | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control | Proportional | 4 | |
| Curt 51140 TriFlex Electric Brake Controller | Proportional | 4 | |
| Reese Towpower 8507111 Brakeman IV Digital Brake Controller | Adjustable Time Delay | 4 | |
| Draw-Tite 20201 I-Stop IQ Electronic Brake Control | Proportional | 3 | |
| Hayes 81760 Engage Digital Time Based Brake Controller | Adjustable Time Delayed | 3 |
Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control
This proportional trailer brake controller from Tekonsha is our favorite thanks to the advanced features it packs. It comes with an easy to read LCD display, which is quite useful since this electric brake controller monitors so much when at work.
It will monitor and display the output current, voltage and even monitor your battery’s condition among others. It will let you know when there is a fault in the system making it easier to troubleshoot your brake system.
The Tekonsha 90195 P3 is programmable into three languages and can use it to control larger trailers with up to 4 braking axles. There is a brake boost function and also the ability to save configurations for up to 5 different trailers.
Pros
- A bright LCD screen that makes it easier to interface with all that information
- A built in brake boost feature
- You can configure it to remember settings for up to 5 trailers
- Controls up to 4 braking axels
- You can customize braking levels
Cons
- It is a bit costly
- You will need some time to use all its features to the fullest
Curt 51140 TriFlex Electric Brake Controller
This compact electric brake controller uses a slim design that prevents it from overcrowding and dominating your car after installation. A hook on the top makes it easy to install under the dash with simple screw holes.
At the heart of the Curt 51140 is a triple-axis accelerometer that feeds the braking circuit with three plane acceleration data helping the braking controller deliver smooth and responsive braking at all times. You will find installation easy thanks to the automatic leveling and calibration feature. You can still make manual adjustments if need there be.
The electric controller is highly customizable with up to 9 levels of sensitivity, custom power output, and manual engagement. You can use the Curt 51140 TriFlex to control a trailer with up to 4 axles. It will work perfectly with advanced systems like cruise control, anti-lock brake systems, PWM systems, and even low-voltage brake systems.
Pros
- An intelligent braking system fully controlled by accelerometers
- Tons of configurations and customization to fit your towing style
- Easy to install and calibrate
- Can control a wide range of trailers
- Will also control trailer brake lights
Cons
- Must be installed within predefined alignment angles
Reese Towpower 8507111 Brakeman IV Digital Brake Controller
While most electric controllers need precise alignment and calibration for their accelerometers to work, the purely solid-state Reese TowPower 8507111 is different. It is designed to mount in any direction and doesn’t require leveling.
You get two separate buttons that control the brake power output so that you can control different weight trailers and a synchronization button that adjusts the brake’s speed of activation to suit your driving preferences.
A single LCD screen will display your sync settings and faults like a short connection or brake overload. This easy to install and configure an electric trailer brake controller can control up to 4 braking axles and is as easy to use as it is affordable.
Pros
- Compact and easy to install
- Controls up to 4 axel trailers
- Simple to adjust settings with a little learning curve
- Works on 12-volt negative ground systems only
Cons
- Doesn’t give a lot of troubleshooting related data
Draw-Tite 20201 I-Stop IQ Electronic Brake Control
This proportional trailer brake controller is one of the most basic on our list. Even though it does not have the features on premium models, it will give you the ability to control a maximum of three braking axles which is more than enough for the majority of the trailers you will be hitching to your truck.
Installation is a breeze thanks to a snap-on clip that you can remove it when you no longer need it on your track. The small LED display will not only give you a readout of your settings but will also tell you when you have a secure connection, the voltage on the line and some more useful troubleshooting information
You will need an extra harness if you want to control your trailer brake lights too.
Pros
- Simple and straightforward
- Self-leveling
- Brake boost feature when towing a heavy load
Cons
- The small LED screen can be hard to use when reading diagnostic reports
- The braking system struggles when braking on loose surfaces
Hayes 81760 Engage Digital Time Based Brake Controller
Up to now, all the brake controllers featured in this roundup have been proportional. The Hayes 81760 Engage Digital is a time-delayed electric brake controller and is considerably more affordable. It supports up to 3 axels at a go.
Since it doesn’t need any level adjustment, you can install it anywhere but you will need it in an easy to reach place in case you want to use the manual override lever.
Since it is a delayed controller, the more you depress your truck’s brake the more the current (hence breaking power) goes to your trailer. You can change the power ramp time to alter how fast the buildup works to control the trailer brake responsiveness
Pros
- Controls up to 3 axles
- Simple and easy to install/use
- A lifetime USA warranty
Cons
- A bit rudimentary for people who love detailed readouts or advanced control assistance
Delayed Brake Controllers VS Proportional Controllers
When you hit the market looking for an electric brake controller, you will have to decide between a proportional or a time delayed controller.
Here is a quick explanation of how the two types work
Proportional Brake Controllers
Proportional trailer brake controllers sense when the towing vehicle slows down and replicates the same by sending a brake signal to the trailer. The braking intensity on the trailer matches the vehicle’s braking intensity (if you haven’t set bias to compensate for trailer weight.)
The result is smoother braking even under emergency braking since the trailer always matches what the truck is doing. They are safer on the road and more forgiving to your truck’s brakes. Proportional brake controllers are, however, more expensive and a bit trickier to install correctly.
Time Delayed Brake Controllers
Delayed time controllers send a braking signal to the trailer at a predetermined intensity rather than matching what your truck is doing. The longer you brake the harder the trailer brakes.
Even though delayed brake controllers are cheaper and easier to install, they rarely offer smooth braking and will cause more tear and wear on your truck and trailer brakes.
Do I Need a Trailer Brake Controller?
In our opinion, every truck driver who tows frequently needs a trailer brake controller. This is not only for safety but also a great way to improve your truck’s lifespan since it won’t be working so hard to stop the trailer when stopping or going downhill.
Can I Tow a Trailer With Electric Brakes Without a Brake Controller
You can get away with towing without brake controllers if you are towing a quarter or almost half of your truck’s recommended towing weight.
However, if you are pushing your truck to the limits or are towing a longer trailer/caravan, you can easily lose control of the trailer and truck when you brake.
Other than this, the trailer will put much more strain on your trailer hitch and the truck’s braking system hence lowering your valuable vehicle’s lifespan and pushing maintenance bills up.
How Do You Wire an Electric Trailer Brake Controller?
Installation should be easier if you already have a towing port installed in your car. If you don’t, you will some skills to DIY splice and wire your car to accept your brake controller. If you are not good at this, I would recommend getting a professional to prewire your vehicle.
Here are the steps to follow when installing an electric brake controller.
Find out if Your Truck is Pre-Wired
Most trucks come prewired for electric brake control. Look into your manual or poke around your under dash looking for a port with the label ‘Electric Brake Controller’ If you can’t find the port, you will need some expertise or time to wire the truck.
Attach the Controller Mount Under the Dashboard
Once you have the controller port located or installed, find an ideal spot to attach the controller such that the cable adapter can get to the Electric Brake Controller port on the truck. Follow the installation model to attach the controller to the dash and clasp the wiring harness in place
Adjusting the Controller
Most electric trailer brake controllers are plug and play. However, you can still adjust different responses and braking intensities offered by the controller to your preference.
Bottom Line
A good electric brake controller will increase your safety on the road. It is a personal responsibility to ensure that all your heavy trailers or caravans can brake to improve control and lifespan.
You wouldn’t want your trailer to start jackknifing when braking under high speed. Moreover, driving without independent trailer braking could be illegal in your region.