Camper Trailers And Brakes: What You Need To Know

Camper trailers almost always use electric brakes, although some small campers do not. Brakes are mandatory in many states for trailers over a certain weight, typically ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 lbs, although this varies by state. Trailer brakes help alleviate the tow vehicle from bearing the full weight of the trailer when stopping, reducing wear and tear on the vehicle's brake system and creating a smoother stop.

Camper trailer brakes: electric vs hydraulic

Camper trailers almost always have brakes, but this is not always the case. The requirement for brakes depends on the trailer's weight. In most states, trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds are not required to have brakes, but this varies. Some states require brakes on trailers weighing over 1,000 pounds.

There are two main types of camper trailer brakes: electric and hydraulic. Electric brakes are the most common. They are controlled by an electrically powered actuator. When the driver hits the brake pedal, electricity activates a magnetic field that pulls the brake and drum together.

Electric brakes offer more control than hydraulic brakes. They can be used in conjunction with the vehicle, or autonomously. For example, if a large truck drives by and your trailer begins to sway, you can apply the trailer's brakes without applying your tow vehicle's brakes. This will stop the trailer from swaying in a more controlled manner.

Hydraulic brakes, on the other hand, use the trailer's natural momentum to activate the brakes. When you step on the brake in your tow vehicle and slow down, the trailer pushes against the hitch and presses a hydraulic cylinder. The more you slow down the vehicle, the more pressure is applied to the trailer brakes.

Electric brakes are generally cheaper and easier to install than hydraulic brakes. They also require less maintenance. However, hydraulic brakes may be preferable for boat trailers, as they do not require any sort of in-vehicle device like a brake controller, and there is no need to disconnect them when backing the trailer into the water.

Do all campers have brakes?

Camper trailers typically use electric brakes, which are controlled by an electrically powered actuator. However, not all campers have brakes, but most do. Whether or not a camper has brakes depends on its size and weight. Smaller campers, such as teardrop campers and pop-up campers, may not have brakes as they weigh much less than a full-size travel trailer.

In the United States, trailer brake regulations vary from state to state. Most states require brakes on trailers weighing over 2,000-3,000 lbs, but some states mandate them for trailers over 1,000 lbs, while others don't require them until 5,000 or even 10,000 lbs. It's important to check the specific regulations for the state you're in or planning to travel to.

Most campers that do have brakes use electric brakes, which are controlled by a brake controller in the towing vehicle. These can be proportional controllers, which apply the same amount of pressure to the trailer and vehicle brakes simultaneously, or time-delayed controllers, which manually set the pressure applied each time the vehicle's brakes are depressed.

Some campers may also have hydraulic or surge brakes, which work on the same principle as a standard car's brake system. These are more commonly found on larger, heavier trailers or commercial trucks.

Regardless of the type of brakes, it is essential to maintain and inspect your brake system regularly, especially before embarking on a trip. This will ensure your safety and help prevent accidents.

How do camper brakes work?

Camper brakes come in a few different forms, depending on the size of the camper. Most towable campers have electric brakes or hydraulic brakes, while larger motorhomes may have air brakes.

Electric Brakes

Electric brakes are the most common type of brakes on campers and trailers. They are controlled by an electrically powered actuator. When the driver hits the brake pedal, electricity activates a magnetic field that pulls the brake and drum together. Electric brakes use an electromagnet rather than hydraulic brake fluid. Once the brake controller is activated, it sends a voltage back to the electromagnet in the brake. The magnets, once energised, stick to the armature area of the brake drum. The spinning of the drums pulls the brake shoes and pads against the inside of the drum, slowing down the trailer.

Electric brakes have two components: the brake controller and the electric trailer brake itself. The brake controller is an electronic device that can be found within the vehicle and controls the camper brakes. There are two types of brake controllers: proportional controllers and time-delayed controllers. Proportional controllers apply the same amount of pressure to the trailer and vehicle brakes simultaneously. Time-delayed controllers are manually set to apply a specific amount of pressure each time the vehicle's brakes are applied.

Hydraulic Brakes

Hydraulic brakes on trailers work differently from electric brakes. They use inertia to activate the trailer's brakes. When the vehicle's brakes are applied, the trailer is pushed towards the vehicle, which presses the hitch into a hydraulic cylinder. The faster the vehicle slows down, the faster the trailer will push into the hydraulic cylinder, activating the trailer's brakes. The advantage of a hydraulic brake system is that it does not need a brake controller.

Air Brakes

Air brakes are sometimes installed on large motorhomes. They work in a similar way to a car or truck's hydraulic brake system, with standard service brakes operated by the driver's foot and a separate parking brake. However, instead of using hydraulic fluid, air brakes use air pressure to power the brake system. The benefit of air brakes is that they have an unlimited supply of power. As long as the chamber retains some pressure, the brakes will continue to work.

Why do trailers need brakes?

Trailers need brakes to ensure safe and controlled handling. Brakes on trailers help to stop the vehicle and maintain control of the trailer and the tow vehicle. Without trailer brakes, the added mass of the trailer could overpower the tow vehicle's brakes, which can be dangerous.

Trailer brakes fall into two categories: surge brakes and electric trailer brakes. Surge brakes are common on small boat and rental trailers and leverage the difference in momentum between the tow vehicle and the trailer to activate the trailer's master cylinder and apply the brakes. Electric trailer brakes rely on a trailer brake controller on the tow vehicle, which can be installed as an aftermarket accessory or as a factory-installed option. Electric brakes use an electromagnet rather than hydraulic brake fluid. Once the brake controller is activated, it sends a voltage back to the electromagnet in the brake, and the magnets, once energised, stick to the armature area of the brake drum. As the drums spin, the brake shoes and pads slow down the trailer.

There is no consistent rule or standard across the US for what size or kind of trailers need brakes. In the US, this determination is made by individual states and is frequently based on the gross trailer weight (GTW) or the empty weight of the trailer. Some states require a vehicle towing a trailer to stop within a certain distance. Federal laws in the US require travel trailers to have a breakaway system that applies the brakes if the trailer becomes unhitched from the tow vehicle.

What are the repercussions of towing a trailer with no brakes?

Camper trailers typically use electric brakes, which are controlled by an electrically powered actuator. These brakes are deemed necessary for safety reasons, as they help to alleviate the tow vehicle from bearing the full weight of the trailer when it comes to stopping. They also help to reduce wear and tear on the vehicle's braking system and create a smoother stop while towing.

If you're towing a trailer with no brakes and the trailer exceeds the weight requirements set by the state, you could be issued a citation if caught. The repercussions of towing a trailer without brakes depend on the laws of the state in which you're driving. While some states require brakes on all trailers over 1,000 lbs when loaded, others don't require them until exceeding 5,000 or even 10,000 lbs.

Another repercussion of towing a trailer without brakes is the loss of control over your trailer. Having functional trailer brakes helps you maintain control of your RV, especially when trying to stop or descend a steep incline. Trailer brakes are especially beneficial when going down hills, as they help maintain control of your trailer and ensure that braking is evenly distributed, preventing the trailer from pushing the vehicle.

Furthermore, not having trailer brakes can increase your liability in the event of an accident. If you're involved in a collision while towing a trailer without brakes and someone is injured or killed, you could find yourself in severe legal trouble.

In summary, towing a trailer without brakes can result in legal consequences, loss of control over your trailer, increased liability in accidents, and potential safety hazards for yourself and other drivers on the road. It is always recommended to have functional trailer brakes to ensure a safer and more controlled towing experience.

Frequently asked questions