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.
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.
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