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.<ref name="Hurricane">{{cite web|url=http://www.bestelectricbrakecontrollers.com/trailer-brake-controllers-the-complete-guide/|title=Trailer Brake Controllers-The Complete Guide}}</ref>
A wide range of trailers contain trailer brakes (for example, larger boat trailers, horse trailers, 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>
== Types == 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.<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> ; 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.<ref name="Maxbrake">{{cite web|url=http://www.plugitright.com/MaxBrakeController.html|title=Maxbrake controller|url-status=usurped|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. ; Pedal-mounted pressure pad proportional controller; : A separate sensor is mounted on the brake pedal to connect to the controller.<ref name="Sensabrake">{{cite web|url=http://www.alko.com.au/vehicle-technology/sensabrake/|title=AL-KO Sensabrake controller}}</ref> ; 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.<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> ; 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<ref Name="NAME">{{cite web | title = Hydraulic Surge Trailer Brake Actuators | url = http://www.easternmarine.com/Hydraulic-Surge-Brake-Actuators/ | accessdate = 2014-11-21 }}</ref> ; Time-delayed brake controller : 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>
==References== <references />
Category:Brakes Category:Vehicle braking technologies Category:Automotive accessories Category:Vehicle modifications