Electric vs Hydraulic brakes

[madjack]

Steve, get one that is totally digital...one that has an accelerometer in it...some controllers are tied to the brake light circuit and actuated at a prescribed level when they sense power to the circuit...some have a pedulum and have to be mounted level and calibrated for the angle...commom sense will show you the problem with these 2...one with an accelerometer does not have these problems and should work quite smoothly!!!!!!!!
madjack

[Dale M.]

Stupid thought, if the newer electronic controllers do not tap into the brake line would it be possible to put it in the trailer?

While not connecting to hydraulic brake system, they do connect electrically to brake light switch/circuit....

Also having the adjustments in braking controls available to driver at all times in definitely a benefit....

With travel trailer, once you setup adjustments they may not need change....

But I also have car carrier trailer and I will tell you there is a difference in setting whether trailer is running empty or with car or weight on trailer... Adjutments to system accessible to driver is a must....

Dale

[dhazard]

Interesting revival of an old thread. What I ended up doing was going with a hydraulic system. No regrets as of today. The main reasons for me. The hydraulic system is not dependant on a controller in the car. Simpler on the car end. The newest hydraulic brake backing plates allow the trailer to back up a hill without locking up the brakes or putting a pin in the coupler. Hydraulics have worked good on the boat trailers I have had and I am not planning on backing the teardrop into water, so I don’t think corrosion should be an issue. In my opinion it just simpler… Whatever you decide, good luck with your build.
Regards, Dan

[Steve Frederick]

I ordered the Prodigy!

[Gaston]

"some states require brakes on trailers. But how many actually require them to be connected and working?? I have built and pulled race car trailers with brakes but never felt the need to hook them up. the trailers towed just fine with out them. (tow truck didn't have a controller) . BUT be aware of the extra stopping distance required ( a bumper sticker on the trailer said" PASS WITH CARE, IF YOU CUT ME OFF, BRACE FOR COLLISION