The brakes on your trailer are vitally important for safe trailer towing and for protecting your car or truck from damage. In addition to checking the brakes regularly, you’ll also want to make sure that the brakes are working properly when you’re towing. That’s where a set of trailer brake controls come in. You can use the brakes on your car or truck’s steering column, but if you have an older car or one without power brakes, using the brakes on your car to slow down a trailer can be difficult. That’s where trailer brake controls come in.
Here’s what to look for when shopping for trailer brake controls.
Our Editor’s Best Trailer Brake Controls Reviews
- PROFESSIONAL TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER: Ensure safe towing with the Briidea professional trailer brake controller. Designed for reliability, it gives you peace of mind by ensuring smooth braking, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and vehicle damage
- TIME-DELAY TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER: The time delay brake controller can activate the trailer brake by applying varying power within a set period of time. Once engaged, the LED display conveniently shows the gain setting, ensuring your safety while driving
- SAFETY PROTECTION: Our trailer brake controllers has advanced overcurrent protection, short circuit protection and fault detection for your road safety. With LED display, real-time display of your current Settings, output voltage and fault diagnosis, so that you can solve problems in a timely manner
- EASY TO INSTALL: Includes a versatile mounting bracket and accessories for installation in any position or angle. For optimal placement, we recommend mounting it under the dashboard to ensure it doesn't obstruct your view while driving. This allows you to conveniently operate and monitor trailer brake activity from the cab
- COMPATIBILITY: The trailer brake controller kit is compatible with any vehicle now your driving, designed to operate 1 to 4 braked axles (2- 8 brakes), ideal for light duty towing and Occasional towing, etc
- Wireless, portable design allows for easy transfer from one vehicle to another
- Bluetooth connection to control all brake settings from your smartphone
- Custom-designed app monitors brake activity and sends status updates
- Zero-tool, plug-and-play install between vehicle-trailer 7-way connectors
- Triple-axis, motion-sensing accelerometer for highly responsive, smooth stops
- Slim, low-profile design for a functional, modern aesthetic
- Unique bracket system for improved dash clearance
- Fully adjustable power and ramp time
- Operates 2-6 trailer brakes at a time (1-3 axles)
- No internal moving parts and no leveling required
- Smooth, Safe Braking – Proportional braking system ensures your trailer brakes match your vehicle's deceleration, delivering a smoother, more controlled stop every time
- Self-Leveling Technology – No need to manually level the controller. Our smart internal sensor auto-adjusts for accurate braking response regardless of installation angle
- Customizable Boost Modes – Three boost settings let you fine-tune braking power for heavy loads or emergency stops, giving you added confidence on the road
- Clear Digital Readout – Backlit LED screen displays real-time voltage, connection status, and diagnostics, helping you monitor trailer brake performance at a glance
- Quick, Clean Installation – Installs under the dash with included mounting clip. Plug-and-play compatible with vehicle-specific wiring harnesses (sold separately)
- 【Intelligent braking】Proportional controllers are the safest and most responsive braking system you can install.Proportional trailer brake controllers automatically sense when your tow vehicle slows down or stops. This type of brake controller will replicate your own braking intensity for your trailer's brakes, whether you slow to a gradual stop or have to slam on your brakes
- 【Easy to display】LED Digital display screens show the voltage delivery going from the brake controller to the trailer's brakes. Easy to read, easy to observe vehicle conditions in real time.In case of emergencies, make adjustments in time
- 【Safer and more stable】Fits 1 to 4 axle (2 to 8 brakes) trailers to deliver a signal from your vehicle's brakes to your trailer,both quantity of braking power (result) and rate of the program (sync) can be adjusted to fit your inclination, the street conditions, and kind of trailer,increase the safety of driving.Requires no leveling
- 【Quick installation and use】Wiring ports are available for vehicle-specific brake controller harnesses and provide a quick connection between the controller and the towing vehicle for quick and easy installation or removal
- 【4 Wiring & Controls】BLACK-Vehicle Power, RED-Stop Light, WHITE-Vehicle Ground, BLUE-Trailer Brakes
- PROFESSIONAL TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER: Ensure safe towing with the Briidea Professional Proportional Brake Controller Kit. Experience peace of mind knowing your trailer braking is secure, minimizing the risk of accidents and vehicle damage
- PROPORTIONAL TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER: The Briidea proportional brake controller utilizes high-precision motion sensors to precisely adjust the trailer brakes based on the deceleration of your towing vehicle. Its boost function fine-tunes the braking force according to the weight distribution between your vehicle and trailer, ensuring a smoother and safer braking experience. Also, it reduces wear on both the trailer and the vehicle's braking system, promoting your safer driving
- SAFETY PROTECTION & EASY TO USE: Our electric trailer brake controller features advanced safety measures including overcurrent and short circuit protection, along with fault detection to ensure your road safety. The LED display provides real-time feedback on settings, output voltage, and boost levels, enabling timely adjustments. With simple operation via adjustment buttons or an emergency manual switch, meeting your towing needs is effortless
- EASY INSTALLATION: Including a mounting bracket and other accessories that can be installed in any position at any angle. Warm tips: it is recommended to place it under the dashboard to avoid the brake controller blocking your view while driving, allowing you to operate and monitor the activity of the trailer brake from the cab
- COMPATIBILITY: The electric brake controller kit is compatible with any vehicle now your driving, designed to operate 1 to 4 braked axles (2- 8 brakes), it is especially suitable for heavy-duty towing and frequent trailer usage, including commercial trailers, travel trailers, cargo trailers, boat trailers, and more
- Proportional Braking & Automatic Leveling: Kohree Proportional electronic trailer brake controller provides proportional braking, which can apply the trailer brakes proportionately to the towing vehicle's braking. It features an auto-leveling, eliminating the need for time-consuming setup procedures
- Upgraded Split Design: The split trailer brake controller kit includes a display and a brake controller. The screen can be placed on the windshield and easy to read. The brake controller can be installed in the rear interior panel of the vehicle at any angle and equipped with a plug-in wiring harness to simplify the installation process
- Four Chips, Greater Security: The display and brake controller each have 2 built-in 32-bit processor chips. Each independently controls the program for processing and validation, delivering a linear, comfortable braking experience
- 9 Levels of Boost: The electric trailer brake controller offers 9 levels of boost, with each incremental boost setting increasing the sensitivity of the sensors, so you can tailor the brake response to the weight and braking characteristics of the trailer
- Widely Used: Package Include 1 x LCD Display, 1 x Brake Controller,1 x Wiring Connections, 1 x Type-C Data cable, 1 x Product Manual. The electric brake controller kit ideal for most 1-4 axle vehicle and trailer combinations
- 🏆【PROPORTIONAL ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER】Lrichy brake controller uses internal sensors to automatically apply trailer brakes based on your tow vehicle's braking intensity and speed. It intelligently sets the correct braking level and adjusts for hills, delivering reliable stopping power in any situation
- 🏆【WIDE COMPATIBILITY】This proportional controller replaces the Brake-EVN 8508220 and has Smoother braking than the 8507111 Time-Delay Brake IV. It's compatible with various vehicles including Ford, GM, Chevy, Dodge, RAM, Toyota, Jeep, and more with 2, 4, 6, and 8 brakes (1-4 axles). NOTE: Vehicle-Specific Plug & Play Harness Not Included
- 🏆【SIMPLE SETUP & USE】A detailed instruction manual with an easy-to-read LED digital display makes it easy to show settings, real-time diagnostic information, and alarms. For manual braking, simply move the manual lever to the left. Braking force will be applied to the trailer braking system based on the previously set braking force
- 🏆【EASY MOUNTING】Includes brackets and screws for simple installation. Features a plug-and-play port for easy disconnection
- 🏆【SATISFACTION GUARANTEE】Lrichy attaches great importance to product quality and customer shopping experience! We provide 2 Years of warranty service and a refund for product quality issues! If you have any problems, you can contact us via Amazon! Free exchange and refund policy for a truly hassle-free after-sales service!
- Controls all brake settings with a simple push-button rotary knob
- Clean, dash-mounted, OEM-style user interface with 10 tri-color LEDs
- Main module can be mounted out of sight
- Triple-axis, motion-sensing accelerometer for highly responsive, smooth stops
- Easily accessible manual override with the press of a button
- Slim, low-profile design for a functional, modern aesthetic
- Unique bracket system for improved dash clearance
- Triple-axis, motion-sensing accelerometer for highly responsive, smooth stops
- Third axis provides dynamic power adjustments when going up or down a hill
- Operates 2-8 trailer brakes at a time (1-4 axles)
Best Trailer Brake Controls Buying Guide
Before choosing the best trailer brake controls you should consider following options:
1. Electric Brake Controls: Electric brake controls are designed to provide a smooth and consistent feel to the driver and reduce wear and tear on the brakes.
Electric controls are typically powered by a 12-volt battery and can be installed with or without a proportional system.
A proportional control uses the vehicle’s existing ABS system, which allows the driver to modulate brake pressure for a smooth braking feel. An non-proportional control uses a manual switch to enable the trailer brakes.
2. Air Brake Systems: Air brakes systems typically consist of dual-tired wheels and an air-brake actuator that uses air pressure to activate the brakes.
Air brakes are typically used for large trailers, such as heavy-haul or travel trailers, and are considered the most powerful type of braking system.
The main advantage of air brakes is that they provide a smooth and consistent feel to the driver and reduce wear and tear on the brakes. The main disadvantage of air brakes is that they require a constant supply of pressurized air, which is often supplied by a separate onboard generator or pump.
3. Electric Hydro Brake Systems: Electric hydro systems are similar to electric brake controls, but use hydraulic fluid instead of air to activate the brakes.
Hydro systems are typically used for smaller trailers, such as car haulers, travel trailers, and utility trailers, and are easier to install than air brakes. The main advantage of hydro brakes is that they provide a smooth and consistent feel to the driver and reduce wear and tear on the brakes. The main disadvantage of hydro brakes is that they require a constant supply of fluid, which is often supplied by a separate onboard pump.
4. Electric Mechanical Brake Systems: Electric mechanical systems are typically used for travel trailers and camping trailers and consist of an electric or manual actuator that is connected to the trailer’s existing trailer brakes.
The main advantage of mechanical brake controls is that they are easy to install and are typically less expensive than electric or air brakes. The main disadvantage of mechanical brakes is that they typically provide a jerky feel to the driver.
5. Manual Mechanical Brake Systems: Manual mechanical systems consist of a manual actuator that is connected to the trailer’s existing trailer brakes.
The main advantage of manual brakes is that they provide a smooth feel to the driver. The main disadvantage of manual brakes is that they are typically more expensive than electric or air brakes.
6. Electric Draw-Tight Brake Controls: Electric draw-tight controls are typically used for car haulers and utility trailers and consist of an electric actuator that is connected to the trailer’s existing trailer brakes.
The main advantage of draw-tight controls is that they provide a smooth feel to the driver. The main disadvantage of draw-tight controls is that they require a constant supply of electricity.
7. Air-over-Hydraulic Brake Controls: Air-over-hydraulic systems are typically used for travel trailers and heavy-haul trailers and consist of dual-tired wheels with an air-brake actuator and a hydraulic brake actuator.
The main advantage of air-over-hydraulic brakes is that they provide a smooth feel to the driver. The main disadvantage of air-over-hydraulic systems is that they require a constant supply of pressurized air and pressurized hydraulic fluid.
8. Air-over-Electric Brake Controls: Air-over-electric systems are typically used for heavy-haul trailers and consist
What else you should know about trailer brake controls
1. What are trailer brake controls?
Trailer brake controls are devices that help to regulate the braking system of a trailer. They are often used in conjunction with an electronic stability control system to ensure that the trailer brakes are applied evenly and correctly in order to avoid skidding or accidents.
2. How do trailer brake controls work?
Most trailer brake controls work by using a lever to apply pressure to a hydraulic system that then applies the brakes on the trailer.
3. What are the benefits of trailer brake controls?
Some benefits of trailer brake controls are that they can give the driver more control over the trailer, they can help to prevent trailer sway, and they can help to make braking smoother and more consistent.
4. Are trailer brake controls required by law?
There is no federal law that requires trailer brakes, but some states have laws that require them on certain types of trailers.
5. How do I choose the right trailer brake controller for my vehicle?
The best way to choose the right trailer brake controller for your vehicle is to consult with a professional. They will be able to help you select the right model for your specific vehicle and needs.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best trailer brake controls. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best trailer brake controls will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.