[altjaeger]

I've just finished reading "The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer" by Neva Scheve and I'm still confused about the brakes.

The book discusses the older surge type brakes which require no input from the tow vehicle in order to be activated. It also says these have been replaced by electrical brakes.

Then it discusses the electrical controller box which can be installed in the tow vehicle which allows you to operate the trailer brakes separately from the tow vehicle brakes.

But, I'm not clear if you DON'T have the controller box whether your tow vehicle still actuates the electrical brakes.

In other words, does the attachment you plug into the back of an ordinary truck-based SUV activate the trailer brakes or just the lights, if you haven't had a controller box installed?

[ArabDiva]

In other words, does the attachment you plug into the back of an ordinary truck-based SUV activate the trailer brakes or just the lights, if you haven't had a controller box installed?

Just the lights. You will be driving around with lights but no trailer brakes.

Some newer models offer built-in brake controllers, but those are few and far-between.

[LittleblackMorgan]

Just the lights. You will be driving around with lights but no trailer brakes.

Some newer models offer built-in brake controllers, but those are few and far-between.

Incorrect. I have an old trailer with electric brakes and YES the brakes worked with out the brake box controller.

The controller allows you to dial up the sensativity to the brakes. Which is infinitely helpful when you have 2 horses onboard.

The brake controller is very inexpensive...I spent about $80 installed. I definitely recommend a trailer with electric brakes and not the surge type, and the brake controller.

(also, if you are going down a hill and for whatever reason, lose YOUR brakes, you can hit the switch on the brake controller and stop or slow the trailer itself. Ask me how I know)

[jump4me]

On my trailer, if the brake controller box is not hooked up, the brakes will also not work. Lights will, brakes won't. At all.

[Guilherme]

The brake controller not only allows the setting of brake power it also permits the adjustment of the rate of application (i.e., helps prevent brake "lock up" and skidding).

G.

[Rabbit351w]

have to agree with arabdiva and jump4me. no box = no brakes

[altjaeger]

Wow, so for your typical small trailer person, electrical brakes are a step back from surge brakes, it seems.

[Tom King]

Nope.

You HAVE to have a brake controller box to have any brakes with electric brakes on the trailer. There is a wide variation of quality of braking control by the various electric brake controllers.

Surge brakes are the most primitive type of trailer brakes-certainly not a step up from electric brakes. That's why there are legal limits for surge brakes. But electric brakes are not as good as hydraulic brakes-not to be confused with hydraulic surge brakes.

[altjaeger]

My point was that if you don't get the controller installed at least you have SOMETHING with surge brakes. With electric brakes you've got NOTHING.