Towing a caravan adds a lot of extra weight and momentum to your vehicle, so stopping safely and managing changes like passing trucks and high winds is critical to a safe journey.
While small trailers can rely on the tow vehicle braking to slow the trailer to a halt, heavy tow loads like caravans and camper trailers need electric brakes to stop the trailer safely. Vehicle brakes are typically designed to stop the weight of the vehicle itself, so choosing a caravan with electric brakes can make for a much safer, smoother caravanning holiday.
When are electric brakes mandatory for towing a caravan in Australia?
It’s mandatory for caravans and trailers with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) of over 750kg to use electric brakes, with an electric brake controller that allows the driver to brake the trailer from inside the vehicle.
Caravans with GTM between 751kg and 2,000kg must have electric brakes on at least one axle. Caravans weighing more than 2,000kg are required by law in Australia to have electric brakes on all wheels.
Even if the GTM of the caravan is under 750kg, once loaded the caravan could be much heavier. Anyone towing even a small caravan should consider installing an electric brake controller when the caravan is fitted with electric brakes.
How do electric brakes work when towing a caravan?
Electric brakes work effectively for on-road and off-road towing, providing safer and more effective braking, especially with a heavier payload. An electric brake controller facilitates better driver control of the vehicle and caravan and promotes safer towing, especially when stopping, slowing or facing tricky situations like crosswinds.
Electric trailer brakes require an electric brake controller inside the tow vehicle to operate.
More: How to tow a caravan
Using an electric brake controller for towing
Electric brakes on a caravan connect to the electric brake controller inside your tow vehicle via the trailer plug that you connect when hitching your caravan.
When you press the brake pedal of the vehicle, the caravan’s electric brakes will activate at the same time. With the brakes applied to the caravan as well as the vehicle, stopping the combined weight is smoother and more efficient.
An electric brake controller can be installed in a tow vehicle as an aftermarket addition, which means you can research and find the best quality electric brake controllers available that are compatible with your vehicle.
Benefits of an electric brake controller for towing a caravn
An electric brake controller can be installed professionally or DIY by those 4WDers with auto-electrical experience. It’s a simple device that has huge benefits on and off the road, including:
- An electric brake controller can help to reduce wear and tear on your vehicle and caravan.
- For drivers towing caravans off-road, an electric brake controller helps the driver maintain control on rough surfaces or even soft sand where inertia brakes would be less effective.
- Even in an emergency, electric brake controllers facilitate smooth braking when activated, helping the driver to handle the vehicle to safety.
- Suitable for most towing vehicles, an electric brake controller is quick and inexpensive to install.
- Driver-controlled trailer braking allows the driver to brake the caravan independently of the vehicle, helping to improve safety off-road or in situations where the caravan might sway.
Can I install an electric brake controller myself?
An electric brake controller is an essential piece of safety equipment for towing a caravan. If not installed correctly, you risk failure of the braking system and a potentially dangerous situation.
An electric brake controller can be installed by an auto-electrician familiar with the system you have chosen, or by a keen 4WDer with auto-electrical experience. If doing a DIY installation, ensure you test the trailer brakes properly before towing a caravan.
Avoid breaking braking laws with a reliable electric brake controller
Stay in control of your vehicle and caravan and focus on the fun of the journey with safe and effective trailer braking systems that take up minimal space on your vehicle dash. From better control on the highways to expert caravan or camper braking in all-terrain, an all-Aussie, tried and tested electric brake controller will take you to the back of Bourke and safely home again.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need electric brakes when towing a caravan?
Electric brakes fitted to a trailer will not work without an electric brake controller that connects to the towing vehicle. If the caravan or trailer weighs more than 750kg unloaded (GTM) an electric brake controller is mandatory in Australia.
Can you tow a trailer without an electric brake controller?
You should not tow a trailer that has electric brakes without an electric brake controller. The electric trailer brakes will not activate unless an electric brake controller is properly installed and connected. Towing an unbraked trailer is unsafe and may breach road rules.
What weight caravan can I tow without electric brakes?
A caravan with a single axle and GTM below 750kg can legally be towed without electric brakes, however, using electric trailer brakes increases driver control and vehicle safety. A micro-caravan often comes in at over 750kg, so check the manufacturer’s plate to determine whether you need an electric brake controller.