Whether you’re towing a travel trailer, utility hauler, boat, or snowmachine trailer, stopping power matters just as much as horsepower. That’s where trailer brakes come in.
Trailer brakes are separate braking systems installed on the trailer itself. When wired correctly, they activate as your tow vehicle brakes, helping slow the entire load more safely and evenly.
Without working trailer brakes, your truck bears the full burden of stopping — increasing stopping distance, wearing out your truck’s brakes faster, and risking loss of control. On Alaska’s wet, icy, or hilly roads, that’s a dangerous combo.
At Frontier Auto and RV Center in Anchorage, we service hundreds of towing setups every season — and we’ve seen firsthand how well-maintained trailer brakes can prevent accidents and extend vehicle life.
Types of Trailer Brakes: Surge vs. Electronic
There are two main types of trailer braking systems: surge brakes and electronic trailer brakes. While both are designed to help slow the trailer, they operate in different ways.
Surge Brakes
These are hydraulic brakes typically found on boat trailers. They use the momentum of the trailer to compress a hydraulic piston in the coupler. That pressure activates the brake system.
Pros:
- No electrical wiring required
- Simple, self-contained system
Cons:
- Delayed braking response
- Less effective for heavy loads or steep grades
- Can be difficult to maintain or diagnose issues
Electronic Trailer Brakes
The more common — and more effective — system for most RV, cargo, and utility trailers in Alaska is electronic trailer brakes. These brakes are wired to your truck and controlled by an in-cab brake controller.
When you press the brake pedal, the controller sends an electrical signal to a magnet inside the trailer wheel hub. That magnet pulls against a rotating drum, engaging the brake shoes and applying friction to slow the wheel.
Why Electronic Brakes Are Better for Alaska:
- You get smoother, adjustable braking
- It syncs with your vehicle brakes for better balance
- You can manually control brake pressure (great for icy descents)
- More reliable on long grades and with heavy loads
That’s why most trailers sold and serviced at Frontier Auto and RV Center come equipped with — or are upgraded to — electronic brakes.
Key Components of Electronic Trailer Brakes
Understanding how your system works helps you maintain it better. Here are the main parts of your trailer brake system:
- Brake Controller: Mounted inside your vehicle’s cabin. Adjusts braking strength, gain, and manual override.
- Wiring Harness: Transmits the electrical signal from your truck to the trailer.
- Brake Magnets: Electromagnets that create friction by pulling against the brake drum.
- Brake Shoes & Linings: Press against the drum to create the stopping force.
- Brake Drums: Rotating drums attached to each trailer axle.
- Breakaway System: A safety feature that engages the trailer brakes if the trailer disconnects.
All of these parts work together to give you controlled, consistent stopping power — but only if they’re inspected and maintained.
How Often Do Trailer Brakes Need Maintenance?
Trailer brakes require seasonal inspection and regular servicing — even if you don’t tow frequently. Just like the brakes on your truck, they wear down over time and can corrode from road salt, moisture, or storage conditions.
Here’s a general maintenance schedule for electronic trailer brakes:
- Inspect every 6 months or 3,000 miles
- Adjust brake shoes annually (or if stopping power fades)
- Replace brake pads/shoes every 12,000 miles or sooner if worn
- Test your brake controller and wiring at the start of each season
- Grease and repack wheel bearings every 12 months (important for preventing overheating)
- Test your breakaway switch and battery every season
If you tow in wet, muddy, or icy conditions — like we see all spring in Anchorage — it’s a good idea to schedule more frequent checks.
At Frontier Auto and RV Center, we offer full trailer brake diagnostics, service, magnet replacement, and adjustments right here in our shop.
Signs Your Trailer Brakes Need Attention
Whether you’re heading to a campground, the Kenai, or a construction site, your trailer brakes should never be an afterthought.
Here are signs you might need immediate service:
- Your trailer pushes your truck when you brake
- It takes longer to stop than usual
- You hear squealing, grinding, or clunking from the trailer
- The brake controller flashes an error or gain setting won’t adjust
- The breakaway battery won’t hold a charge
- You feel shaking, pulsing, or uneven braking pressure
If you notice any of these, stop towing until your trailer brakes are inspected. It’s not just about wear and tear — it’s about safety for you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.
Why Trailer Brake Maintenance Matters for Towing
Even if you only tow a few times per year, your trailer brakes are critical to safe operation. Alaska’s terrain — steep hills, long descents, gravel roads, and spring runoff — puts more strain on your brakes than average driving environments.
Letting your truck do all the work without help from your trailer’s brake system:
- Wears out your truck brakes faster
- Increases risk of trailer sway or jackknifing
- Reduces control during emergency stops
- Can lead to dangerous overheating of the entire braking system
Plus, poorly maintained brakes can result in failed inspections, roadside violations, or even trailer impoundments.
Trust Frontier Auto and RV Center for Trailer Brake Service
Whether you tow weekly or once per season, it pays to have your trailer brakes checked and serviced by professionals who understand how towing works in Alaska. At Frontier Auto and RV Center, our technicians are trained to service:
- Travel trailers
- Fifth-wheels
- Toy haulers
- Flatbeds and cargo trailers
- Horse trailers and utility rigs
We’ll test your full system — including brake controller, wiring, drums, and pads — and let you know exactly what needs attention. Most service appointments are same-day, and we stock common replacement parts on site.
