Quote:
Originally Posted by EAKlebe
No the trailer does, of course, have brakes and the inspection station said that the brakes were fine. However, I did notice that stopping distance was quite a bit farther. I have already read the mentioned thread which was VERY informative.
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I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. Of course the trailer has brakes in the wheel/axle assembly. All TMs have brakes built in, since they are required by law to have them. However, the brakes don't do any braking on their own. It is the controller which puts power to the brakes and causes them to do some braking. Without a controller, the brakes are just a lump of useless inert metal. That is why you noticed that stopping distance is farther, of course. The trailer brakes were not being activated, and the TM probably weighs about as much as your tow vehicle.
I'll be clearer next time around, but the bottom line is that you MUST get and install a controller.
Bill