Thread: Trailer brakes

used electric for years on horse floats, and they seem to be about the only thing that is used there these days. As you said, they can be activated manually or set at whatever level you want in relation to the car brake system. The current generation of electronic controllers are simple to mount and very easy to use. You no longer need to have the controller sitting level for the internal pendulum to work properly as in the old days, as they don't use one anymore. The one in the 'fender is screwed to the front of the console sitting vertically.
The only real downside is if you blow the fuse in the main brake light circuit, you have no trailer brakes as they are activated by the brake light circuit !

dont normal trailer brakes work when going down hill anyway?

Pedro I tow my wifes horses around a lot. Personally I'd only use the electric brakes. Consider the weight your towing just say float = 1.5t horse approx 2x 500kg each associated rubbish that goes with it (saddles, bridels, rugs, etc lets say another 150 kg) you get the idea there would be a lot of weight to consider, in my senerio nearly 70% of the braked towing capacity of car. Electric brakes run in conjunction with the car brakes and can be set as lightly or as heavy as required therefore it is possible to get the trailor brakes actuating slightly before the cars or dragging if required. I've found they are most reliable and easiest to maintain and can save the cars brake pads a lot of wear.