Brake Controllers

Brake Controller Cairns

Electronic Brake Controllers

At Torque Tyres & Trailer Spares Cairns, we’re not just a tyre and trailer parts store—we are your local towing experts, servicing trailers, sourcing and fitting replacement parts and supplying upgrades to your tow vehicle to make your experience safer and more enjoyable for you and your family.

We can supply and fit a range of electric brake controllers from reputable manufacturers, including the Australian-designed and made REDARC products.

If you’re looking for information on getting your rig fitted with an electronic brake controller, come and see the experts at Torque Tyre & Trailer Spares Cairns, or call (07) 4230 0715 for enquiries.

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What is a Brake Controller?

In Australia, any trailer with a mass over 750kg requires some kind of brake mechanism on one of its axles, while trailers over 2,000kg require brakes on all axles.

The most common type of trailer brake system is the hydraulic brake system (also known as surge brakes or overrun brakes); these often use a hydraulic cylinder built into the trailer draw bar. They’re a good entry-level system because they don’t require any modifications to the tow vehicle, and are a self-contained system.

For heavier-duty applications, an adjustable electronic brake controller is the preferred method. The adjustment allows you to fine-tune how much braking your trailer is doing to account for the weight of your trailer and the driving conditions.

Typically, there are two kinds of electric braking systems: the simpler time-activated controllers, and the proportional braking controllers, which is what we recommend for caravans and heavier trailers.

To learn more, don't hesitate to get in touch with Torque Tyres & Trailer Spares Cairns today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need a brake controller?

Trailer brakes are essential for both safety and legal compliance for trailers over 2,000kg.
What is a brake controller?

Simply a device for controlling how much braking bias is directed at the trailer brakes. It’s important to have control over how effective your trailer brakes are, as an unloaded trailer and a loaded trailer have different brake strength requirements.
What types of brake controllers are there?

Electronic brake controllers are by far the most common. They can be installed either in the vehicle or fitted on the trailer and connected via Bluetooth.
What benefits does a trailer brake controller offer?

As above, adjustable brake controllers will allow you to fine-tune the braking effectiveness to suit current conditions and trailer loads.
How are trailer brake controllers wired in?

We like to fit our electric brake controllers so that the control knobs are within reach of the passenger, in a location that’s out of the way of accidental adjustment and looks as good as possible.