Electric trailer brakes do nothing without a brake controller telling them when and how hard to apply. A properly installed and adjusted controller lets the trailer share the work of stopping, so your truck is not shoved forward every time you slow down. Phoenix Titans, LLC installs brake controllers and the tow vehicle wiring that supports them, then sets them up and tests them with your trailer connected.
Proportional vs. Time-Delay Controllers
Proportional controllers use a motion sensor to detect how quickly the tow vehicle is slowing and apply the trailer brakes to match. A gentle stop gets gentle braking, and a hard stop gets strong braking. Many drivers find this feels more natural, particularly with heavy loads. Time-delay controllers apply a preset amount of braking that ramps up over a short period after you press the pedal. They are simpler and often less expensive, but they can feel abrupt or late if not adjusted well. We can talk through how you tow and help you choose the type that fits your truck and trailer.
Wiring, the 7-Way Plug, and Setup
Some trucks come prewired with a plug-in harness behind the dash, while others need a brake output circuit run from the controller to the rear. We mount the controller where it is easy to reach, connect power and ground with proper circuit protection, and confirm the brake signal reaches the correct pin on your 7-way connector. A corroded or damaged 7-way plug is a common cause of weak or intermittent braking, and we replace those when needed. For problems that extend into the trailer harness, see our trailer wiring and electrical service.
Once installed, we set the gain, which controls how much power goes to the trailer brakes. Too little and the trailer pushes the truck; too much and the wheels lock or skid. We adjust gain with the trailer loaded the way you normally tow, then road test to fine-tune the result.
Our brake controller services include:
- Controller Installation: Mounting and wiring proportional or time-delay brake controllers in your tow vehicle.
- Tow Vehicle Wiring: Running brake output, power, and ground circuits where a factory harness is missing.
- 7-Way Plug Repair: Cleaning or replacing corroded connectors and verifying every pin.
- Gain Setup and Road Testing: Adjusting braking output for your load and confirming smooth stops.
- Controller Diagnostics: Tracing error codes and no-output conditions to their source.
When the Problem Is the Trailer, Not the Controller
If your controller shows a short or no-connection warning, reads normal output but the trailer barely slows, or one side of the trailer grabs, the fault may be in the trailer brakes themselves. Worn magnets, glazed shoes, and broken wires at the backing plate are common culprits, and our trailer brake repair service addresses those. Descending the I-17 grades into the valley with a weak brake setup is not where you want to discover a problem.
Bring your truck and trailer to our Phoenix shop, or ask about mobile service at your location. Call Phoenix Titans, LLC at (480) 747-1119 to schedule your brake controller installation.