There’s an abundance of accessories one needs to buy before they can safely tow a heavy trailer with their pickup truck or SUV. You need a trailer hitch ball mount and trailer hitch receiver or a weight distributing hitch, along with a hitch lock and towing mirrors, among more. Another important towing product is a trailer brake controller, which automatically applies the brakes on your trailer when you step on the brakes in your vehicle.
Trailer brake controllers can be split into two main categories: proportional controllers and time-delayed controllers.
A proportional controller uses a sensor to determine the intensity of the tow vehicle’s deceleration under braking. It then calculates the right amount of force to apply to the trailer brakes, enabling the tow vehicle and the trailer to decelerate at the same rate. A proportional controller provides more progressive, gradual braking feel from the trailer and performs better under heavy braking events.
A time-delayed controller is much more simple. These controllers detect when the brake in your tow vehicle is engaged and then send a signal to your trailer to apply the brakes. They allow the user to set a braking force value and a time delay value based on the trailer weight, the road conditions and a number of other factors.
Generally speaking, proportional controllers are superior to time-delayed controllers. The braking value and time delay value automatically vary, they perform better in hard emergency braking events and they will ensure even wear between your trailer brakes and tow vehicle brakes. If you find yourself towing often, you’ll want to opt for a proportional controller. If you only tow every now and then, a time-delayed brake controller should be appropriate.
In this article, we’re going to show you some of our favorite trailer brake controllers on sale today (both of the proportional and time-delayed type) and explain what makes them different. We’ll also answer common questions consumers have when shopping for a trailer brake controller so you know what to look for, what to avoid and how to install such a product.
Updated 2/27/2020 with new product recommendations.