RVs, or recreational vehicles, are popular ways to travel privately by land and have a mobile campsite with solid walls, and RVs often have amenities common to a home such as a fully functional kitchen, a dining table with seats, a couch, a queen size bed, and more. Getting them around is a matter of either driving one that has its own engine and driver compartment, or towing one with a powerful vehicle such as a pickup up truck or a higher end SUV (usually for pulling smaller trailers). However, while on the road, RVs are essentially large, very heavy boxes on wheels, and road safety is a top concern while traveling with or inside one. Fortunately, truck drivers pulling a trailer may make use of brake controllers to keep their vehicles in control, and a multi axle brake controller may be needed for larger trailers. A multi axle brake controller has a huge load to handle, and aside from that, even smaller trailers require a trailer brake controller solution to maintain road safety. Is a multi axle brake controller right for an RV? Why is trailer brake wiring important? How can electronic brake controllers provide safety and control on the open road?
RV Owners
Ever since their invention, RVs have proven very popular among American adults and families. Both motorhomes (self-driving) and towable types exist, and each kind has its own advantages and perks. In fact, it has been estimated that 11% of American households headed by someone aged 35-54 owns an RV, which is even higher than the 9.3% ownership rate of those aged 55 and over. These RVs have plenty of destinations to choose from, given how over 16,000 public and privately owned campgrounds can be found across the United States, which can be visited for just a weekend or even a solid month. Overall, there may be as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts out there, including those who rent motorhomes and trailers. But although these vehicles are great fun while camping out, taking them to the campsite requires basic road safety. This is where hardware such as a multi axle brake controller and other trailer brake controls are needed.
Brakes for the RV
An RV is on wheels and in constant motion on the road, and its massive bulk means a lot of momentum. Collisions with the towing vehicle or other cars are likely unless good brakes and controllers are in place.
According to Curt, brakes come in two broad categories: surge and electric. A surge brake system does not even need an electric component at all, since a sudden stop shifts the brakes into position and activates a hydraulic cylinder. They can often provide smooth and safe stops if tuned just right, but they cannot be manually controlled if need be.
Meanwhile, electric brake systems do have a manual control aspect to them, and once trailer brake wiring ins in place, the towing vehicle’s driver can use the brake control to manually active the trailer’s brakes whenever needed, for any reason. It is a small device that sits in the truck’s driver compartment and may have a slider or dial for more exact customization of brake power, and this can even be used to help curb trailer sway, should it happen.