Electric Brake Controller

When you’ve attached a trailer, caravan or other heavy, non-motorised vehicle to your towbar, ensuring the safety of yourself and others on the road becomes doubly important while towing. What happens if you have to make a sudden stop while you’re driving twice as much weight than you’re used to? This is precisely why electric brake controllers are so crucial. If you’re looking for an electric brake controller in Melbourne, trust the specialists at FiveStar Towbars to have exactly what you need.

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Understanding Electric brake controllers

Australian law requires that any towed trailer or caravan that exceeds 750kg must be fitted with electric or hydraulic brakes. Electric brakes are activated via a current that comes from an electric brake controller. These are usually mounted below or discreetly hidden from view behind the dashboard of your car and control the brakes in the trailer when the towing vehicle slows or comes to a stop. This lowers the risk of collision between the two vehicles and any other people or vehicles on the road. There are two different types; proportional and time delayed.

Proportional brake controllers use motion sensing technology to ascertain the speed at which the towing vehicle is slowing down and so slows the towed vehicle at a proportional speed. Time delayed brake controllers deliver a programmed amount of power to the brakes when the towing car or truck slows to a stop. This amount is preset by the driver and is largely reliant upon how much weight they are towing.

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Trusted Professionals for Tow Bar Installation

At Five Star Towbars, we are committed to providing top-quality tow bar installation services. Our skilled team ensures precise fitting for every vehicle type, whether it’s a car, SUV, or truck. Trust us to provide the perfect solution for your towing needs.

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Happy Customers

Read what our satisfied customers have to say

Excellent

4.9

Based on 244 reviews

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Andrew Gregor

2 weeks ago

Luke was very knowledgeable, and the install is really neat. I couldn't be happier with the job. I highly recommend 5-Star Tow Bars.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the review Andrew.
We're glad you are happy with our work!

Jodie Beable

4 weeks ago

They went above and beyond to fix an existing wiring issue after fitting brake controller. Thank you!

Response from the owner:Thanks for the review Jodie.
We are glad we could resolve your issues and get you back on the road!
Safe and happy travels.

Deborah Watkins

1 month ago

The guys arrived nice and early and got the job done. They were awesome, we are so impressed with Five Star towbars thank you very much.From Steve and Deb Langwarrin.

Response from the owner:Thanks so much for the great review, Deborah, and please pass our thanks to Steve and Deb Langwarrin. We're glad the team arrived early and that you were impressed with the job. We'll pass your kind words on to the crew at Five Star Towbars.

Mitesh Sathavara

2 months ago

The service provided by these people is excellent—quick, efficient, and very reliable. I was impressed by how fast everything was handled without compromising on quality. Highly recommended for anyone looking for prompt and professional service!

Response from the owner:Thanks Mitesh!
We are glad that we exceeded your expectations.
Thanks for the great review, that is really important to our business.

Brendan

2 months ago

Excellent service and timely advice from Ryan and Luke and technicians were efficient onsite and happily answered my questions on completion for a job well done.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the review Brendan.
We are glad you are happy with our communication and efficiency!

Greg Lorimer

2 months ago

Excellent service from Luke and Ryan! They provided great pricing, expert advice, and a high-quality, fast installation of my Euro hidden towbar. The lounge was a perfect workspace, and the walk-through of the detachable hitch was very helpful. **10/10!**

Response from the owner:Thanks, Greg. We really appreciate the fantastic review and 10/10 rating! I’ll pass your compliments to Luke and Ryan; they’ll be thrilled to hear you valued the pricing, expert advice, and fast, high-quality installation of your Euro hidden towbar. Glad the lounge made a comfortable workspace and the detachable hitch walkthrough was helpful. We look forward to helping you again.

Nat T

3 months ago

Five Star towbars, Luke provided excellent, professional service with a prompt quote, very competitive pricing. The two guys came to my location, introduced themselves politely and installed a high-quality towbar efficiently, even with some rain. They were knowledgeable, professional, and took the time to explain everything. Very happy with the result and highly recommend them.

Response from the owner:Thanks Nat!

Richie Ryan

4 months ago

No 1. Too easy start to finish. No need to look elsewhere. See Luke

Response from the owner:Hi Richie,

Thanks so much for the ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

It was a pleasure supplying and installing your towbar, and we’re glad everything went smoothly for you. If you ever need anything else down the track, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thanks again for choosing Fivestar Towbars! 🚗🔧

KATE L

4 months ago

Very professional Anthony friendly great quick job very knowledgeable.
Great job thanks

Response from the owner:Thanks so much for the great review, Kate!

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Anthony takes a lot of pride in being professional, knowledgeable and efficient, so it’s awesome to hear that came through on the day.

Thanks again for choosing Fivestar Towbars — we’re always here if you need anything in the future! 🚗🔧

Greg Pollard

4 months ago

Five Star Tow Bars were absolutely brilliant! They installed electric brake controllers in two cars and one of our trucks where they came to the site we were working. They then also attended our yard a week or so later and serviced 5 of our trailers. They have everything working great and the team on site were fantastic explaining what they were doing and any works they also recommended to be done. I have great peace of mind for the business now for all our towing. We will be using them going forward and would highly recommend them.

Response from the owner:Thank you for the fantastic five-star review and for trusting Five Star Tow Bars with your vehicles and trailers. We're thrilled our team could install the electric brake controllers onsite and service your trailers while clearly explaining the work and recommendations. It’s great to hear you have peace of mind for your business towing needs and that you’ll be using us going forward. We appreciate the recommendation and look forward to supporting you whenever you need us.

Chris Whyte

5 months ago

Five Star Technicians (Ryan & Kane) did a fantastic job of installing a towbar for my VW Touareg with additional plugs for connecting our caravan. When I contact them, Luke knew actually I needed. I am very happy with the end result. Thank you all very much. Christine, 13th Jan 2026

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great Review Chris!
Happy travels in the caravan.
From the team at Fivestar Towbars.

brenton bright

5 months ago

Best in market service, price, delivery and friendly technician on site.
Got a towbar install. I called 10 providers some quoted up to double for same service as these guys. They also had the fastest turnaround time.
Don't bother calling others just dial Five Star Towbar.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review Brenton!
We're Glad you are happy with our service and have spread the word.

Dan E

6 months ago

Highly recommended. Had a redarc brake controller fitted to an Isuzu. Professional, arrived on time and did a great job. Price was very reasonable and home installation was a bonus.

Response from the owner:Awesome!
Thanks Dan

Chris Yates

6 months ago

The team at Five Star Towbars did a fantastic job with our box trailer. Re-wired and fit out for registration. We were unable to tow it so they came to us, which was super convenient. Works were carried out quickly and efficiently and all good. Would definitely recommend.

Response from the owner:We are glad you are happy with our service Chris.
Thanks for the great review!

Mick Craig

6 months ago

Excellent service, Luke managed to squeeze me in before Christmas to fit a towbar, brake and power for the van!! All very reasonable priced ! Thank you

Response from the owner:Cheers Mick!
We really appreciate the feedback.

Steve Gerrard

6 months ago

Easy booking process. Incredible service with a huge lounge area to relax in.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review Steve!
Glad you relaxed in our lounge.

Nick Dunn

6 months ago

Ryan and the team at Five Star Towbars were brilliant, easy to deal with, great pricing and quality workmanship. Definately recommend them

Response from the owner:Thanks Ryan!
We appreciate the repeat business. See you on the next one.

Elaine Lin

6 months ago

They are highly efficient and professional. I rang yesterday and Luke gave a fair price. I booked them for today. Job done less than 2 hours. Amazing! They are nice people and keep their words to ensure good customer service. Highly recommended 👍

Response from the owner:Thanks Elaine.
We're glad you are happy with our service.

Jesse Calvert

7 months ago

Just had a towbar fitted to my XC40 today. Friendly staff, amazing service and very professional! Will definitely be back when i need another towbar!

Response from the owner:Thanks for the positive feedback Jesse.

XIA WANG

7 months ago

Very reasonable price and extremely professional!
I visited many shops before and none of them could install a brake controller.
Even Toyota told me they couldn’t do it — I couldn’t believe it.

Five Star Towbars were the only ones who could help, and they did an amazing job.
The price was very affordable, the installation was clean and professional, and the staff were all super friendly and helpful.

Highly recommended!

Response from the owner:Glad we could help you out Haoyang!
Thanks for the review!

Steve Alexander

7 months ago

Very professional, prompt and accommodating. They did a great job on our GLC

Response from the owner:Thanks Steve!

Andrew

7 months ago

I had a great experience with Fivestar Towbars. Needed a towbar for my Subaru Outback and found them via Google. The booking was quick and straightforward, the price was very reasonable, and they supplied an Aussie-made BTA towbar which was exactly what I wanted. The installers arrived early, worked quick, and delivered a result that looked spot on. I also appreciated how easily they accommodated the job even though I’m in an apartment and space to work was tight. Everything went smoothly and the towbar looks excellent. Five stars from me!

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review Andrew!
Happy towing travels.

James Gilchrist

7 months ago

Brilliant job, they came to my house when they promised, did a great job at a great price. Couldn't really ask for more.

Response from the owner:Thanks so much for the great review James! We’re glad to hear you were happy with the service, price, and convenience. Happy travels! 🌞

George Millington-Palmer

7 months ago

Absolutely incredible work from these guys, they saved by butt! I called up with a niche imported car that most other places declined to even consider if they had a compatible solution. These guys asked me to send through some photos, discussed some measurements, and organised a super quick installation at a very reasonable price. Can't recommend them enough! :) thank you!

Response from the owner:Thanks so much for the awesome review George! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure helping you out with your import, and we’re thrilled to hear you’re happy with the result. We love a challenge, and it’s great when everything comes together smoothly. Thanks again for choosing us — we’re always here if you need anything in the future!

David Cherry

8 months ago

Ryan fitted a tow bar, brake controller and anderson plug to our cx5.
Great professional service, reasonable prices, very easy to deal with.
I cannot rate this company more highly.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review David.
Were glad that you are happy with our service.
Hopefully we can help you with any further work and your next vehicle setup.

Bianca Rhodes

8 months ago

These guys are awesome.
I rang got a quote and 2 days later I had a towbar on my car.
Highly recommend Five Star Towbars
Friendly staff, top quality workmanship and the best part is they come to you.

Response from the owner:Thanks Bianca!
Great review. We're glad you're happy with our service.

Paul

8 months ago

These guys did a great job. Fast, efficient and knowledgeable at a good price.

Response from the owner:Hi P G,

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review — we’re really pleased to hear you were happy with our onsite towbar supply and installation. It was a pleasure to help, and we appreciate you choosing Fivestar Towbars.

If you have any questions or need follow-up support, please get in touch through our Google listing or website. Safe towing!

Kind regards,
The Fivestar Towbars team

Quinn MacPhee

8 months ago

Very quick turnaround time, communication and the pricing was competitive. Their mobile service was fantastic.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great feedback Quinn.
Glad we could be of service!

Rachael Hall

9 months ago

I could not rate these guys highly enough!!! If there were 10 stars, they'd get 10!! On time, so courteous, a great job and a fantastic price! Thanks Ryan and Luke. You are a reliable, honest, hard working bunch of Aussie blokes!

Response from the owner:Thanks very much Rachael!
Feedback like this is fantastic and great for us and our business.

Tracy B

9 months ago

I just had Ryan from Five star tow bars here to install a tow bar for me. What a lovely person! Very punctual and very happy to answer any questions I had. Absolutely recommend! AAA+

Response from the owner:Thanks for the awesome review Tracy!

Cydnee Boulton

9 months ago

Cheers guys happy as with my new tow bar set up. Smashed it out in under an hour.
Awesome work

Response from the owner:Thanks Cyndee!
Great feedback, we're happy that you're happy.

Lara Anderson

10 months ago

Super friendly, prompt and convenient service. Provided a super clear quote with options, booked us in quickly and did a great job. Highly recommend

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review Lara!
We're glad we could meet your expectation :)

Chris Nuthall

10 months ago

Excellent service and very quick, despite the very cold morning! Friendly guys, more than happy to answer questions.

Response from the owner:Thanks Chris. We're glad you are happy with our service. Happy travels!

Brett Johnson

10 months ago

Had a BTA towbar installed on a new CX5 about a month ago.

Installers were arrived on time and were polite and efficient. They demonstrated that wiring harness was functional and also disabled the auto reverse braking and sensors when the job was done.

It would have been nice if they plugged the dashcam fuse taps back in when done but that’s not worth knocking a star off.

Response from the owner:Hey Brett
Thanks for the review. Apologies for the Dashcam plug, will mention to our guys to avoid in the future.

Gerry Camilleri

10 months ago

Found this company on line.They came to us,which was great.They were for professional and very neat.Overall very satisfied with the service that was provided.Thanks Mark

Response from the owner:Thanks Gerry. Will pass this onto Mark!

Mitch Clark

11 months ago

I've had 5 Star Tow Bars fit a towbar and electric brakes on two cars now and I wouldn't use anyone else. They are extremely easy to deal with, arrived when they said they would and kept me updated once job was complete (I wasn't home). I would have no hesitation reccomending them to anyone. Great service.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review Mitch! We are glad you choose us for your latest vehicle to be fitted out 🌞 Happy travels!

Justin Botha

12 months ago

Luke and his team were very professional and very helpful with all my questions leading up to the install of the tow bar, electric brakes and the Anderson plug. I would highly recommend them and would definitely use them again if I need a towing pack fitted to a vehicle. Thank you Five Star Towbars.

Response from the owner:Hi Justin, Thanks mate for your review, happy travels! 🌞

Tamara Lloyd

12 months ago

Andrew & Kane did excellent job of 2 of my cars. New towball on one & electric brakes on another vehicle. Turned up on time, polite & helpful & explained everything well. Quick. Easy. Great service! Highly recommend!!

Response from the owner:Hi Tamara, Thanks for leaving us a review will let the boys know they did such a good job!. Happy travels! 🙌

Rodney Gooch

12 months ago

The guys from Five Star Towbars arrived on time, took them an hour to get to my house. Friendly, fast and professional service. Fitted and done. Quality Australian Made tow hitch. Thank you Luke and the team.

Response from the owner:Hi Rodney, Thanks for your feedback, happy trails! 👍

Judith Rees

12 months ago

Excellent service - quality product. Guys were on time & provided a professional service. Very helpful- definitely recommend this company

Response from the owner:Hi Judith, Thanks for your review glad we could be of help! 🤩

Fred

12 months ago

This company is awesome.
I dealt with Luke initially and they booked me in within a week and at a great price.

Then the 2 installers did a fantastic job on the day installing the towbar in our driveway!

On time, polite, and had us done long before the allocated window of time.
thanks Ryan and Tyson.

I highly recommend these guys.

Regards,
Sean.

Response from the owner:Hi Fred, Thanks for your review will let Ryan & Tyson know they did such a great job, and thanks for your recommendation. 👍

Rod Simmons

1 year ago

I highly recommend Fivestar Towbars,
Anthony and Kane arrived on time and did a great job couldn’t be happier!

Response from the owner:Hi Rod, We'll let Anthony & Kane know they did a great job, thanks so much for your feedback and review. Cheers 🥳

Nati Berko

1 year ago

Just had a towbar installed by Ryan from Five Star Towbars and couldn't be happier. From start to finish, the service was top-notch. Ryan was exceptionally professional, completed the installation remarkably fast, and patiently addressed every question I had. And for an added touch of awesome, he had AC/DC rockin' the whole time! Fantastic work!

Response from the owner:Hi Nati, Who doesn't like the best rock band in the history of the universe! Hopefully you're not on a highway to hell next time you hit the road 😆 Thanks a bunch!

Darren Finkelstein

1 year ago

Great experience, understood how precious my car is and really looked after it.

Response from the owner:Hi Darren, Thanks for your review. Care is at heart of what we do, glad you trusted us with your baby! Thanks again 🙌

Martin McNally

1 year ago

Great service!! Ryan and Kane turned up on time and were very professional. I’m very happy with the quality of the install and overall experience. I will definitely recommend this company 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Response from the owner:Hi Martin, thanks so much for your review & recommendation will let Ryan & Kane know your feedback! Thanks again 🤩

Kris Martin

1 year ago

Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We appreciate your support and are glad you had a great experience. If there's anything specific you'd like to share in the future, we would love to hear from you.

Stephen

1 year ago

Ryan and Tony were great, extremely friendly and professional

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that Ryan and Tony provided you with friendly and professional service. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to serving you again soon!

Bill Yu

1 year ago

The boys did a fantastic job fitting a TAG tow bar to my Jimny! Called up yesterday and they came and got the job done the next day! With the extra long hitch I can now mount my bike rack nice and easy for the upcoming weekend!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic review, Bill! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to fit your TAG tow bar quickly and efficiently. It's great to know you'll be able to enjoy your upcoming weekend with the bike rack. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you again in the future!

Adam Grigsby

1 year ago

Had the team out to my place today to install a towbar. Great communication before hand, turned up early, and the job was completed in no time. I would definitely recommend their services to anyone

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic review, Adam! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and that the towbar installation met your expectations. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your trust in our services. If you ever need assistance again, we'll be here to help!

Testimonials

FAQs

Find answers to common questions about our services and procedures.

Electric Brake Controller FAQs

What is an electric brake controller, and how does it work?

An electric brake controller is a device installed in a tow vehicle that regulates the braking system of a trailer or caravan. It works by sending a signal to the trailer’s brakes to activate them when the tow vehicle’s brakes are applied. This ensures that the trailer slows down in sync with the towing vehicle, providing smoother and safer braking. There are two main types of brake controllers: proportional and time-delayed. Proportional controllers adjust the braking force based on the vehicle’s deceleration, while time-delayed controllers apply a preset braking force after a delay.

How do you install an electric brake controller on a vehicle?

Installing an electric brake controller involves wiring it into the vehicle’s brake system. The basic steps include:

Mounting the Controller: Install the brake controller in a convenient location inside the vehicle, typically under the dashboard.
Wiring: Connect the controller to the vehicle’s brake light switch, battery, ground, and the trailer connector. This often involves running wires through the vehicle to the rear where the trailer connector is located.
Testing: Once installed, test the system to ensure the controller is functioning correctly and that the trailer brakes respond appropriately when the vehicle brakes are applied.

It’s recommended to have a professional install the controller if you’re not confident in your electrical skills.

What are the benefits of using an electric brake controller?

The benefits of using an electric brake controller include:

Improved Safety: Helps prevent the trailer from pushing against the tow vehicle during braking, reducing the risk of accidents.
Smoother Braking: Provides a more controlled and comfortable braking experience, especially important when towing heavy loads.
Reduced Wear: Distributes braking force more evenly, reducing wear on both the vehicle’s and trailer’s brakes.

Can I tow a caravan without an electric brake controller?

In Australia, you cannot legally tow a caravan with electric brakes without an electric brake controller. Any trailer with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) over 750 kg must have brakes fitted, and those with electric brakes require a brake controller to operate them.

What is the difference between a time-delayed and a proportional brake controller?

Time-Delayed Controllers: Apply a preset amount of braking force after a delay when the vehicle’s brakes are engaged. They are simpler and less expensive but can result in less smooth braking.
Proportional Controllers: Measure the tow vehicle’s deceleration and apply a proportional amount of braking force to the trailer. They provide smoother and more responsive braking, making them generally preferred for their safety and efficiency.

Which vehicles require an electric brake controller in Australia?

In Australia, any vehicle towing a trailer with a GTM over 750 kg that is equipped with electric brakes requires an electric brake controller. This includes most caravans and larger trailers.

Are electric brake controllers universal, or do they need to be vehicle-specific?

Electric brake controllers are generally universal, meaning they can be installed in any vehicle capable of towing a trailer with electric brakes. However, the installation process and any additional components required, such as wiring harnesses, may vary depending on the vehicle make and model.

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