Brake controller necessary?

ledlover · 08-05-2013, 11:08 AM

Hey all. I purchased and towed this past weekend a Jayco Swift travel trailer with my 2013 sDrive X1. The trailer has a dry weight of 2700 lbs. Just wondering if i need to add a brake controller to help with the load? No issues this weekend but I am a little concerned about my brakes over time.

Driven2Drive · 08-09-2013, 01:01 PM

I believe that anything weighing over 1500lbs is supposed to have trailer brakes. If the trailer has brakes then I would definitely use them with the brake controller. When I had a 1690lb popup camper it had brakes and I noticed a big difference using them than not using them.

Van1 · 08-16-2013, 02:40 PM

Most states require trailers over 1500lbs to have brakes. Does your travel trailer have surge brakes or electric brakes? If surge brakes, brake controller not needed. If electric brakes, yes, you will need a brake controller.

The worry shouldn't be about your brakes over time but if you can make an emergency stop with a loaded tow rig and trailer without hitting the person in front of you.

08-05-2013, 11:08 AM	#1
ledlover New Member 8 Rep 25 Posts Drives: Valencia Orange X1 sdrive Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Brake controller necessary? Hey all. I purchased and towed this past weekend a Jayco Swift travel trailer with my 2013 sDrive X1. The trailer has a dry weight of 2700 lbs. Just wondering if i need to add a brake controller to help with the load? No issues this weekend but I am a little concerned about my brakes over time.
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08-09-2013, 01:01 PM	#2
Driven2Drive New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: X1 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South iTrader: (0)	I believe that anything weighing over 1500lbs is supposed to have trailer brakes. If the trailer has brakes then I would definitely use them with the brake controller. When I had a 1690lb popup camper it had brakes and I noticed a big difference using them than not using them.
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08-16-2013, 02:40 PM	#3
Van1 Member 11 Rep 85 Posts Drives: BMW M2C Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Papillion, NE iTrader: (0)	Most states require trailers over 1500lbs to have brakes. Does your travel trailer have surge brakes or electric brakes? If surge brakes, brake controller not needed. If electric brakes, yes, you will need a brake controller. The worry shouldn't be about your brakes over time but if you can make an emergency stop with a loaded tow rig and trailer without hitting the person in front of you.
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