Electric Brakes & Brake Controller Installation Gold Coast
Need electric brakes or a brake controller installed for your caravan, camper or trailer? Labrador Auto Electrics can help.
We provide professional electric brake controller installation on the Gold Coast from our fully equipped workshop in Arundel.
We can assess your tow vehicle and trailer setup, recommend a suitable electric brake controller, complete the required vehicle wiring and test the system before handover.
Our electric brake installation services are available for compatible caravans, camper trailers, boat trailers, horse floats, tradesman trailers and other towing setups.
Book online now or call Adam on (07) 55 377 614 to request a quote.
Electric Brake Installation for Caravans and Trailers
A properly configured electric braking system helps your trailer brake in response to the tow vehicle. This can provide greater control when slowing, stopping, travelling downhill or towing a heavy load.
Depending on your towing setup, the work may involve installing a brake controller in the tow vehicle, running suitable wiring to the trailer connection and testing the controller output.
We can assist with electric brake controller installations for compatible:
- Caravans.
- Camper trailers.
- Boat trailers.
- Horse floats.
- Tradesman trailers.
- Box trailers.
- Off-road trailers.
- Multi-axle trailers.
For the most accurate assessment, bring both the tow vehicle and trailer to our Arundel workshop where practical. This allows us to inspect and test the complete system together.
Professional Brake Controller Installation
An electric brake controller receives a braking signal from the tow vehicle and sends power to compatible electric brakes on the trailer. The controller determines when the trailer brakes activate and how much braking force is applied.
Correct installation involves more than mounting a controller on the dashboard. The controller must be suitable for the tow vehicle and trailer, connected using appropriate wiring and circuit protection, and positioned so its controls can be safely accessed by the driver.
Our brake controller installation service can include:
- Assessing the tow vehicle and trailer requirements.
- Recommending a suitable electric brake controller.
- Installing the controller and adjustment control.
- Running appropriate wiring to the rear trailer connection.
- Installing suitable circuit protection.
- Connecting and checking the brake signal.
- Testing the brake controller output.
- Explaining adjustment and manual override controls.
Proportional Brake Controllers
A proportional brake controller detects how firmly the tow vehicle is slowing and applies a corresponding level of braking to the trailer.
This can provide smoother, more progressive braking during normal driving and stronger trailer braking during harder stops. Proportional controllers are commonly selected for caravans, larger campers, boat trailers and other regularly towed loads.
User-Controlled Brake Controllers
A user-controlled brake controller applies trailer braking according to the output level selected by the driver.
The braking level can be adjusted to suit the trailer, load and road conditions. Correct adjustment is important because insufficient trailer braking can allow the trailer to push the tow vehicle, while excessive braking may cause the trailer wheels to lock.
Remote-Dial Brake Controllers
Remote-dial controllers allow the main control unit to be mounted behind the dashboard, leaving only a small adjustment dial visible to the driver.
This creates a neat installation and can be particularly useful in modern vehicles with limited dashboard space.
REDARC Tow-Pro Electric Brake Controllers
Labrador Auto Electrics has experience installing REDARC Tow-Pro brake controllers for Gold Coast towing setups.
The REDARC Tow-Pro range combines a compact remote control dial with trailer-braking control suitable for a wide range of towing conditions.
Before recommending a REDARC Tow-Pro or another brake controller, we consider the tow vehicle, trailer, number of braked axles and how the towing setup will be used.
For more information about this product range, visit our REDARC Tow-Pro installation Gold Coast page.
What’s Included in an Electric Brake Installation?
The exact installation requirements depend on the tow vehicle, trailer, existing wiring and selected brake controller.
A typical electric brake controller installation may include:
- Checking the suitability of the controller.
- Identifying an appropriate mounting position.
- Installing the controller or remote adjustment dial.
- Connecting the controller to the vehicle’s braking signal.
- Running appropriately sized cable to the trailer plug.
- Installing fuses or circuit protection where required.
- Checking the existing trailer-plug wiring.
- Testing the controller and manual override.
- Providing basic setup and adjustment instructions.
Modern vehicles can use sensitive electrical and electronic systems, so the installation method must be appropriate for the specific vehicle.
What We Need to Provide a Quote
To help us quote your electric brake installation, please provide:
- The tow vehicle make, model and year.
- The type of caravan or trailer being towed.
- The trailer weight or Aggregate Trailer Mass, if known.
- The number of braked trailer axles.
- The existing trailer-plug type.
- Whether a brake controller is already installed.
- Your preferred controller or brand, if you have one.
- Details of any other towing electrical work required.
If you have already purchased a brake controller, tell us the exact make and model so we can check its suitability before your booking.
Electric Brake Wiring and Fault Diagnosis
Electric brake problems are not always caused by the controller itself. Faults may be related to the trailer plug, damaged wiring, poor connections, insufficient power supply or components on the trailer.
Common electric brake problems can include:
- The brake controller does not power on.
- The controller does not detect the trailer.
- Trailer brakes operate weakly or inconsistently.
- The brakes lock too easily.
- The manual override does not operate correctly.
- The controller displays a fault or warning.
- The trailer connection works intermittently.
If an existing electric braking system is not operating correctly, we can inspect the electrical installation and identify where the fault is occurring.
Bring both the tow vehicle and trailer where possible so the controller, trailer plug, wiring and electric brake operation can be tested as a complete system.
For other caravan wiring and charging requirements, visit our caravan electrical installation and repair page.
Queensland Trailer-Braking Requirements
Trailer-braking requirements depend on the trailer’s weight, braking system and towing configuration.
In Queensland, a trailer with a Gross Trailer Mass over 750kg must have brakes operating on at least one wheel at each end of one or more axles.
Trailers over 2 tonnes GTM have additional requirements. The braking system must allow the driver to operate the trailer brakes from the normal driving position, and a compliant breakaway system is required.
Not every trailer over 750kg necessarily requires electric brakes. The correct braking system depends on the trailer’s weight and configuration.
If you are unsure what your setup requires, provide us with the tow vehicle and trailer details so we can discuss the relevant electric brake controller and wiring requirements.
Complete Towing Electrical Services
Your vehicle may require additional electrical work before it is ready to tow.
Labrador Auto Electrics can also assist with:
- Anderson plug installation for caravan charging, batteries and suitable towing accessories.
- Caravan and trailer wiring, including trailer plugs, lighting and charging faults.
- Caravan rear-vision camera installation.
- Dual battery system installation for touring and camping vehicles.
Combining compatible towing electrical work into one booking can help ensure that the complete system is planned and installed correctly.
Electric Brake Installation FAQs
Do I Need an Electric Brake Controller?
You need a compatible brake controller in the tow vehicle when the trailer uses driver-operated electric brakes. The precise braking requirements depend on the trailer’s weight, braking system and towing configuration.
Can You Install a Brake Controller I Have Already Purchased?
Contact us with the controller model, tow vehicle and trailer details. We can check whether the unit appears suitable and provide an installation quote.
Where Is the Brake Controller Installed?
The location depends on the controller and vehicle. Traditional controllers may require a dashboard-mounted unit, while remote-head controllers can conceal the main module and leave a small adjustment dial accessible to the driver.
Can You Install a REDARC Tow-Pro?
Yes. We install REDARC Tow-Pro brake controllers and have a separate REDARC Tow-Pro installation page with more information about this specific product range.
Can One Brake Controller Be Used With Different Trailers?
The same installed controller may be used with multiple compatible trailers, but the braking output will need to be adjusted for each trailer and load. Compatibility should always be checked before towing.
Can You Inspect an Existing Electric Brake Installation?
We can inspect electric brake controller wiring and diagnose many trailer-braking electrical faults. Bring the tow vehicle and, where practical, the trailer so the complete system can be tested.
Do You Offer Mobile Electric Brake Installation?
No. Electric brake controller installations are completed at our fully equipped workshop at 4 Telford Place, Arundel.
Book an Electric Brake Installer on the Gold Coast
Labrador Auto Electrics provides professional electric brake controller installation for customers across the Gold Coast.
Our Arundel workshop is convenient for customers travelling from Labrador, Parkwood, Southport, Biggera Waters, Runaway Bay, Helensvale, Coomera, Oxenford and surrounding areas.
To request a quote, provide your tow vehicle, trailer and preferred controller details.
Book online now or call Adam on (07) 55 377 614.
