How Your Trailer Brakes Are Impacting Your Tow Vehicle Brakes
May 2nd, 2017
Welcome to Performance Trailer Braking! Today, we would like to discuss the importance of a trailer brake system that can meet your needs. Your brakes are the only thing stopping your trailer from pushing your vehicle somewhere it really shouldn't go, whether that be over the railing of a mountain ledge or just into an intersection at a red light. Now, when it comes to choosing the right trailer brake system, you need to know your vehicle towing capacity, as well as the GVWR of your trailer.
When Brakes Are Needed
Different states have laws regarding what brakes are required, but everywhere has a law that will dictate what weight requires what level of brake power. Check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to figure out what the requirements are for trailer brakes in your state. Federal law dictates that trailers over 2,999 lbs. GVWR require brakes on at least one axle.
The closer your trailer's GVWR is to the tow vehicle's towing capacity, the bigger the impact upgrading your braking system will have on your stopping distance. Any trailer that you can feel push the tow vehicle is putting excessive stress to your tow vehicle's braking system. The stopping distance can become excessive for you to slow down safely, the brakes may overheat from working too hard, and you may begin to swerve from side to side to control the trailer, creating a risk for those around you on the road, as well as yourself and your passengers.
Choosing Your Trailer Brake System
Regardless of your braking choice, properly operating brakes on your trailer will save the brakes on your tow vehicle, as well as make travel much safer. You will no longer worry about braking in time, nor will you be concerned about your brakes overheating. Shop our kits today to find the right choice to meet your needs. Your safety depends on it!
"We are happy campers"
Thank you for the professional installation of my new disk brakes. Preston installed them on 12/30/2019 and the next day traveling thru Dallas/Fort Worth we had three occasions to stop Read Morequickly with confidence on 35W. We pull 15,000 miles a year thru mountains and flats. I now relax behind the wheel pulling our 40 ft 16,000 lb 5th wheel. We are happy campers, Dump those drum brakes for disk brakes. Thank you to your entire team in Norman, OK. My old drum brakes always felt like the trailer was pushing the truck when I stopped. Now I feel like the trailer and truck stop together with no feeling of being pushed. You have to remind yourself the trailer is still back there.
Gil and Sandy Palmer
"Thanks again for the great experience!"
Kelly,
It has been an awesome experience thanks to you, Michael, Preston and Alyssa. After finishing a conference call about 10:00 AM this morning, I hooked up the RV and pulled it o Read Moren a 60 mile round trip just to check it out. WOW! Huge improvement in ride and the brakes are phenomenal! We have our first trip with the new setup next week. Looking forward to that more than ever!
I never shared the following story. My neighbor at the storage facility installed disc brakes on his Grand Design toy hauler. He recommended a company in Weatherford, Texas. I made three attempts to set up an appointment over the last 5 months. Each time something on their end came up that changed that, or they were incomplete in details requested.
This is when I went to Utube and discovered Performance Braking. I was shocked and very pleased when I found out that your installers come to us. The other company required two days with the RV after I delivered it. I was even more shocked to find a company that responds to questions after hours like Michael did, even when it was my mistake that led to that need.
Thanks again for the great experience! I will not hesitate to share that experience with others when the opportunity presents itself.
Wayne A.
Highland Village, TX
"Nothing But Glowing Posts About This Company"
Upgraded our Solitude at Performance Trailor Braking. Dennis in Cochise, AZ did an amazing job! Shared a lot of knowledge, very responsive and just a very nice guy. 8k axles, 4k Slipp Read Moreer springs, disc brakes, comfort ride shocks, and crossbeams. I no longer worry that our weight is “right on the edge”. I now see why I’ve heard nothing but glowing posts about this company and this upgrade! They are also at many rallies. Thank you Dennis!
Jim Skelnik
Box Elder, SD