Welcome to my blog! My name is Ken, and I am a driving enthusiast. I love cars, but I also love auto accessories. In this blog, I am going to write about it all. When I am not writing, I love to take long drives, and I have an antique car that I sometimes take to auto shows. I also enjoy reading, spending time with my grand kids, and travelling. Thus far, I have been to sixteen different countries, and I hope that the list continues to grow. Please, if you have questions about cars or auto accessories, explore my blog. Thank you for finding my corner of the internet!
The brakes are probably the most important part of any towing trailer itself; without strong, durable brakes, the trailer could easily slide forward and damage your vehicle or allow whatever is being towed to slide back and forth, also causing damage. Low-quality or failing brakes can also cause drag on your vehicle, as your car or truck will be trying to stop while the trailer is still pushing forward. This can mean added wear and tear on the vehicle's transmission, tyres and its own brakes and can also compromise your overall fuel economy. To ensure your trailer's brakes are always in good repair, note a few commonly asked questions about how they work and about how to maintain them as well.
What is the difference between hydraulic and electric brakes?
Hydraulic trailer brakes release a fluid that activates the brakes, building up pressure that then stops the trailer. Electric brakes, as the name implies, use electricity to activate the brakes.
While both hydraulic and electric brakes can be very effective for lightweight trailers, note that a hydraulic braking system can often mean a slight delay between when you apply the brake pedal and when the brakes actually engage. For heavier trailers and for driving at faster speeds, you might opt for electric brakes, to avoid this delay and ensure the brakes engage immediately upon applying the brake pedal.
Are electric brakes used for boat trailers?
You may have heard that electric brakes are not good for boat trailers, as boats will drip water onto the trailer and may cause the brakes to short out. This isn't usually the case for high-quality brakes and trailers that are well-maintained, as the brake's wiring and all other electrical parts should be covered and protected. As a trailer gets older and suffers rust and corrosion, this might expose the wiring of the brakes, but keeping your trailer in good repair can help to avoid this issue and ensure your electric brakes are always functioning as they should.
Can brakes be used in reverse?
Don't assume that all trailer brakes operate in reverse, as it's usually assumed that you won't be driving your vehicle very quickly when in reverse, and may not need added braking power with your trailer. However, if you'll be hauling a large trailer and heavy boat or other item and often need to back down an incline to get your boat into the water, be sure you choose a braking system that works in reverse for added control of your vehicle and the trailer itself.
Share13 February 2018
