Do Teardrop Trailers Need Brakes?

Customizing your teardrop trailer is an exciting process. However, amongst the excitement of adding your favorite additional features it’s important to remember the most crucial part of teardrop safety: trailer brakes.

In this article we’ll explore whether or not electric brakes are necessary for your teardrop trailer build. Learn about how you can have the safest camping trip possible while following the towing laws of your go-to roadtrip destination.

Example of an electric brake

It’s rare to find base level teardrop trailers equipped with electric brakes. However, that is often completely dependent on the trailer manufacturer. Companies that build heavier teardrops, or those that are based in states with stricter towing laws, usually have electric brakes built on to their base package trailers.

At Vistabule, the base trailer package does not include electric brakes, or brakes of any kind built into the the trailer. However, electric brakes as well as a brake controller can both be added to your package during the custom trailer building process.

Whether or not it is illegal to tow a teardrop trailer without brakes depends on the area you are traveling in. Each state has towing laws that are determined by towing weight. This number varies by state. You will see that some areas are more strict than others.

While it is always safer to have brakes on your trailer it is not always illegal to go without. For best practice, be conscious of your teardrop trailer’s weight and research local towing laws ahead of time.

While brakes aren’t a necessity, we recommend electronic breaks on all teardrop trailers as a safety precaution, especially those being towed with smaller vehicles. By adding electronic brakes to your teardrop you can reduce emergency stopping distance by 15-18%.

Here are some things to consider when deciding if electric trailer brakes are right for your teardrop camper:

Are you planning a trip in the mountains? Then adding electric brakes to your teardrop is a must. Keep your drive scenic and safe with a bit of added security.

If you plan on adding additional storage to your teardrop trailer it is a good idea to also add electric brakes. This will help with overall wear on your daily driver and also make your trips safer.

If you’re pulling your trailer with an older vehicle, especially one that has older brakes, then it is best to add some extra reinsurance to your teardrop trailer. By adding electric brakes to your trailer you can compensate for those on your vehicle while protecting it from further wear.

If your trailer has electric brakes, you will need a brake controller. Many vehicles that come with a towing package will already have a brake controller installed somewhere in the dash. Always refer to the owner’s manual of your tow vehicle. But it is likely that if you are having a hitch installed on your vehicle for the first time, you will also need to purchase a brake controller. What you can tow, including its weight and number of axles, is essential for determining what type of brake control you will need.

The Autowbrake Brake Controller is installed inside Vistabule trailer’s electrical compartment.

Brake Controllers are necessary to communicate between the braking system on your tow vehicle and the electric brakes installed on your trailer. If you intend to purchase a trailer with electric brakes installed, and you do not already have a tow vehicle with a brake controller installed, Vistabule offers the installation of the Autowbrake Proportional Brake Controller.

With the Autowbrake, you can get emergency braking or general braking from your trailer brakes automatically. This means that, unlike time-delay controllers, which send the same amount of preset power to your trailer brakes every time – proportional controllers are able to adapt to every braking situation differently. As you approach your stop your trailer will gradually brake in the same manner as your tow vehicle. Just set the initial power level, and you’re good to go.

If you select the Autowbrake through Vistabule, it will be installed directly inside your trailer.

These slow down your trailer gradually and therefore your stop is not immediate when the brakes are pressed. Rather than your stop being activated by pressure the trailer slows over the course of about 3 seconds until it is fully stopped. This pros of time delayed brake controllers are that they are a budget friendly option and they can also be installed anywhere on the tow vehicle.

At Vistabule, we build with safety in mind. Our teardrop trailers are completely customizable, and this includes brake options and add ons. Ready to start designing your dream teardrop trailer? Check out our pricing worksheet or contact us today.