Lakeshore RV Center
When towing your RV, there are a variety of factors to consider - the slope of the road, the loaded weight of your rig, the current road conditions, the unpredictable actions of other drivers - and each one of these factors can affect your ability to stop at a safe distance while keeping your tow vehicle and trailer under control. Before hitching up and hitting the highway, you’ll need to be mindful of the fact that the brakes on your tow vehicle are not designed to stop both your tow vehicle and your trailer. This is where brake controllers come into play. These aftermarket devices can be installed on any rig and they work to engage the trailer's electrical braking system in sync with the tow vehicle's brakes so that both units can ease to a halt safely and you always feel comfortably in control.
There are many different types of supplemental braking systems available on the market today and it can be tough to know which one is best for your trailer. To help simplify the process, we've narrowed down some of the best RV brake controller brands available on the market today. Here’s what we found:
Tekonsha Prodigy Series
The Tekonsha Prodigy is regarded by many to be the gold standard of brake controllers. It’s compatible with almost any vehicle, from one to four axles, and it’s ideal for towing larger trailers. This proportional type controller features:
- An LCD display with a user-friendly 4-push button design for easy interface
- No leveling necessary as this model self-adjusts to the terrain as you drive
- Boost feature gives you superior braking power
- Quick and easy disconnect which allows you to remove and store it when not in use
- Limited lifetime warranty
Reese Towpower Brakeman Series
The Reese Towpower Brakeman is a simple unit that performs comparably to its higher-priced counterparts. The main downside to this model is that it doesn’t include short-circuit protection, so if this is a priority for you, you will want to look into a different brand. However this time-delayed controller does feature:
- Plug-And-Play that allows for easy installation and quick setup
- Durable construction resulting from engineering that’s designed to outlast
- No leveling required and the device can be mounted in any position
- Lifetime limited warranty
Hopkins Reliance Series
The Hopkins Reliance is most suitable for smaller trailers and it can operate with up to four brake systems. This brand is one of the most affordable after-market products available on the market today, so if you want a great performing brake controller that doesn’t break the budget, this is a good option. This time-delayed controller features:
- Digital LED display that clearly shows the braking power in terms of percentages
- Easy install that can be done in under 10 minutes, and the device itself can be mounted at any angle
- Short-proof protection for added peace of mind
- Intuitive vertical manual slide that mimics the driver’s control for superior handling
- Lifetime limited warranty
Hayes Genesis Series
The Hayes Genesis is a top-of-the-line brake controller that performs exceptionally well in emergency stop situations. This model is compatible with single to quad axles and its exclusive Quik-Connect® provides an easy-peasy install and set-up process. This proportional type controller also includes:
- BoostFeature which gives you the ability to apply more initial braking power when towing larger trailers
- A user-friendly display with a red LED indicator and a manual slide lever
- Self-leveling to improve the accuracy of your braking
- Automatically adjusts to the road conditions and changes in braking situations
- Lifetime warranty
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of the brake controllers available to you, it is a top list of the best reviewed brake controllers on the market today. With high levels of customer satisfaction and manufacturer warranties, choosing any one of these RV brake controller brands will give you a reliable product that improves the braking performance of your rig and the control you have over it.