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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More Sign Up

Happy Customers

Read what our satisfied customers have to say

Excellent

4.9

Based on 195 reviews

review us on

Derek Medcalf

Had trailer brakes fitted by Ryan at my house, fantastic job, first contact with Luke to organise it was easy and straight forward. Highly recommend.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive feedback, Derek! We're glad to hear that Ryan provided you with excellent service and that organizing everything with Luke was a smooth process. Your recommendation means a lot to us! We look forward to serving you again in the future.

Paul Dixon

Had Euro towbar on order, pleasantly surprised to find it arrived in stock a month early. Fitting crew arrived on day organised and were very professional and thorough in fitting bar. All cutouts in bar were accurate and perfectly fitted the bar. Only hiccup was Euro bars required slightly smaller shackles. Was able to sort these locally from Repco and was quickly reimbursed by Luke from five star without any hassle. Very happy with bar and professional fitting of it. No hesitation of highly recommending Luke and his company. An absolute pleasure to deal with.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Paul! We're thrilled to hear that your Euro towbar arrived earlier than expected and that our fitting crew provided professional service. We appreciate your understanding regarding the shackle situation and are glad that we could resolve it quickly for you. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re delighted to have had the opportunity to serve you. Looking forward to assisting you again in the future!

James Wolstenholme

Luke and his team were very accommodating and installed a tow controller at very short notice. It was very much appreciated as my camping trip (and perhaps my marriage) were at risk without their help! Highly recommended.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic review, James! We're glad to hear that Luke and the team were able to assist you in a pinch and help make your camping trip a success. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again in the future. Safe travels and happy camping!

Brad Leary

Very efficient, on time and a quality service

Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive feedback, Brad! We're glad to hear that you found our service efficient and of high quality. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your support. Looking forward to serving you again!

Darren Hargreaves

Amazing service. 10 out 10!!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with our service. Your support motivates us to continue providing top-notch service. We look forward to serving you again!

Alison Keenan

I had the guys from 5 Star Towbars install a towbar and a bike rack on my VW today and I could not be happier with the product and service. They were easy to deal with, provided clear instructions for how to use the tow bar and bike rack and as a bonus they came to me at work to complete the job! Their pricing was also well below 2 other quotes I had received. Well done and thank-you : )

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Alison! We're delighted to hear that you were happy with both the product and our service. It’s great to know that our team was able to meet you at work and provide clear instructions. We appreciate your business and are glad we could offer competitive pricing as well. Thank you for choosing 5 Star Towbars!

Morry Corvasce

5 Stars for 5 Star Tow Bars!

I’ve used the services of 5 Star Tow Bars over the years, and they have never disappointed me. Luke and his team are consistently professional, attentive, and genuinely care about the quality of their work. It really shows in everything they do—from start to finish, the service is seamless and the results are always spot on. Awesome service, top-quality workmanship, and a team you can trust. I highly recommend them!
Keep up the great work guys.
Morry.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic review, Morry! We're thrilled to hear that you've consistently had great experiences with our team and that our professionalism and quality of work have met your expectations. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we'll keep striving to provide the best service possible. We look forward to serving you again in the future!

Leigh Brown

Luke and his team were fantastic. They went above and beyond to help us get on the road, even repaired some issues with connectivity between our trailer and the car. Price was also extremely competitive. Would definitely use their services again and highly recommend them to anyone needing a towbar Definitely 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Leigh! We are thrilled to hear that Luke and the team exceeded your expectations and provided excellent service. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're glad you found our prices competitive. We look forward to assisting you again in the future!

Dani

They responded to my enquiry straight away, the service was excellent and affordable. Ryan fitted our towbar and he was friendly, punctual and did a great job! Would highly rate

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Dani! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our service. Ryan will be delighted to know his work was appreciated. Your recommendation means a lot to us!

Gene Cover

This was the second time we have used Five Star Tow Bars. we had a Tow Bar fitted to our Volvo XC60 last year. Luke from Frankston did a very professional job and we was so happy and could not fault the workmanship. Today Luke fitted a Tow Bars to my second Volvo an XC40 and again could not Fault it. Thank You Luke for An other Very Professional Job. We could only Rate Five Star Tow Bars Five Stars. but it should be TEN STARS>

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic review, Gene! We're thrilled to hear about your experiences with Luke and our team. Your continued support and kind words mean a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again in the future!

Gordon

They deserve the 5 stars in their name.
On time, polite, efficient, very reasonably priced, cleaned up,
demonstrated testing of the lights and tongue removal.
Excellent - what more could you want

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Gordon! We're delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your recognition of our efforts. We look forward to serving you again in the future!

Bill Gerovasilis

They where prompt with responding. They answered all my questions fully.
The price was very fair, actually very good.
And to top it off, the installers where early, clean, efficient and very polite. I would highly recommend this company.
It's what's missing out there nowadays.
A fairdinkem price, and a great job.

Thankyou again Five Star Towbars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👌👌👌👌👌

Response from the owner:Thank you for your glowing review, Bill! We're thrilled to hear that you were satisfied with our prompt service and the quality of our installation team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your kind words! If you need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Kate Jackson

From pur first email enquiry to the final product, communication has been great and the final product looks fantastic.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Kate! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience from start to finish. Your satisfaction with the final product means a lot to us. We look forward to working with you again in the future!

Kev M

Great service received from Five Star tow bars. Very easy to deal with, from the initial booking through to the swift on-site and professional install of the tow bar at my home. Very pleased with the finished job too. I’d have no hesitation in using these guys again or recommending them

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Kev! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our service from start to finish. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again in the future!

daniel botta

Great service and friendly. And prices are best in the business with quality parts. Come to you and highly recommend

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Daniel! We’re glad you are happy with and service.

Ricky Weber

Called up last minute to get a redarc system installed on my PX2 Ford Ranger. Spoke to Luke, he was informative and answered all the questions I had promptly. At around 4PM, I was able to confirm a booking for the following day where someone was able to come to my home to install a RedArc TowPro system; paid over the phone by card and was emailed an invoice shortly after.

Thoroughly happy with the service provided, and will be recommending to any friends in the future.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic review, Ricky! We're thrilled to hear that Luke was able to assist you promptly and that your installation went smoothly. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you and your friends in the future!

Lisa Walter

Great service, fitted us in on the day. Highly recommend, staff were great to deal with friendly and professional.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic review, Lisa! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again in the future!

Andrew Mclean

Great work by Mark. Came early and let us know . Completed work and it came up brilliantly. Thx guys

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Andrew! We're glad to hear that Mark provided excellent service and that you're pleased with the results. Your appreciation means a lot to us!

Matt Hopkins

Reliable and professional. I had an onsite service done on my trailer, Mark was very knowledgeable and got the job done.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive review, Matt! We're glad to hear that Mark provided reliable service and got the job done. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we look forward to assisting you again in the future.

nathan monteiro

Brilliant, efficient and professional service!
Highly recommend Five Star Towbars!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Nathan! We're thrilled to hear that you found our service efficient and professional. Your recommendation means a lot to us!

Daniel Mahon

Excellent. I had a wiring issue a bit over two years after my installation. No idea what the problem was but the guys at Five Star towbars had me sorted out in 30 minutes with a fix. Couldn’t be happier. Friendly, professional service. Highly recommend. 👍🏼

Response from the owner:Thanks Daniel! We’re glad we can help👍🏻

Sharon Keogh

Luke was very helpful in answering my questions over the phone and provided prompt service. Mark, the installer was a lovely guy, turned up on time (a bit early actually, which was great) and got the job done. Would highly recommend!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Sharon! We're glad to hear that Luke and Mark provided you with helpful and prompt service. Your recommendation means a lot to us! We look forward to serving you again in the future.

Nic Bbb

Fantastic service. Luke, Anthony and Kane were awesome to deal with and the price was much lower than their competitors. Product high quality. Highly recommended.

Response from the owner:Thanks you for your fantastic review, Nic! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with our team. Happy travels mate!👍

Kim Krajewski

Luke and his installers at Five Star towbars were awesome! Much better value for money than other businesses I looked at…they fitted me in when I asked and went above and beyond. I would definitely recommend this business for your towbar needs! Thanks guys!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Kim! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again for any future towbar needs!

Tim White

Luke and his team were great. Clearly better price than the 5 others business I spoke to first and he was really easy to deal with.

Super quick install, great communication and wonderful flexibility!

Richard

Ryan did a fantastic job installing a BTA towbar on my 2018 VW Tiguan. Everything was easy from getting a quote to organising a time for installation. And, of course, they come to you so it's sooooo much easier than having to drop your car off, get a lift back home, and return when it's done.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the review Richard! We are glad that you are happy with our service!

chadi moussa

Great job guys...

Response from the owner:Awesome. Thanks Chadi👊🏼

Ozzy M

Great service, competitive price, friendly. Highly recommended.

Melissa Clayton-Smythe

Communication, price and service 5 stars!!
Speaking with Luke I felt very confident he understood my needs.
His pricing was better than other services, and Ryan and Anthony were professional, friendly, efficient and arrived on time. HIghly recommend this business to anyone.

Response from the owner:Thanks Melissa! We hope your enjoy your travels with you new camper trailer.

Laura Christie Khanna

Friendly, quick, professional and made me feel right at ease about a big investment. Highly recommend 👍🏾👍🏾

Mark Stone

The guys from Five Star installations have done a fantastic job fitting a towbar on my car. Booking it in was easy, they came to my house and had it all done within 90 minutes, and I’m very happy with the result. Compared to other businesses I spoke to about getting a towbar fitted, Five Star were by far the easiest to deal with and also priced very competitively. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Thanks Luke and team.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review Mark! We're glad to see happy customers.

Laurence412 Yang

True 5 star service. Luke replied my enquiry quick and efficient! Ryan and Anthony arrived on time as booked time and called prior arriving. They did a professional job installing the towbar! Really like it! Thanks again boys! No.1 to go to if anyone need towbar installed.

Response from the owner:Thanks mate for the review👍 Have fun hitting the roads!

Karl Rainbow

Very efficient, used a few times now and have been great everytime. Highly recommend, very easy coming to where you are to complete the works.

Response from the owner:Hi Karl, Thanks mate for the review. 👍 Glad we could help. Happy trails

Genevieve Barclay

Ryan and Anthony were professional and did a great job

Response from the owner:Hi Genevieve, Thanks for your review. Thrilled to hear Ryan and Anthony made such a great impression.👍 Enjoy your travels wherever they take you!

Janette Mannix

A smooth experience. Thank you. Appreciate Anthony’s assistance & his willingness to be on my video so I could remember how to get my tow bar off :)

Response from the owner:Hi Janette, We'll let Anthony know his efforts were appreciated. Happy to help anytime! 😊

Kate Houlden & Michael Kennedy

Great service. Have used them twice for electric brakes and come to your house to do these job.

Response from the owner:Hi Guys, Thanks for your review. Happy trails!🤩

Alison Izzard

Great service, good communication and come to you service is very handy.
Fantastic job guys, have used for tow bar and brake controllers for two cars and will recommend to friends and family.

Response from the owner:Thanks Alison! Happy travels.

David James

Total professional 👏
Fantastic job, thank you Anthony and Luke.
100% recommend five star towbars

Response from the owner:That's great David, glad we exceeded your expectations! Thanks for the review, much appreciated.

Paul

Hi quality work for a fussy customer
Ryan and Tony were great professionals that made me feel confident of there knowledge and care

Response from the owner:That’s great! Thanks Paul.

Graeme Bishop

A terrific, convenient service with a great price to boot The guys were punctual, friendly and polite. Highly recommended.

Response from the owner:Thanks Andrew We’re glad you’re happy with our service, product and price👌🏻

Travis Green

Guys did a quality job on installing a BTA brand towbar on my 2023 Subaru Forester. They were punctual (1hr early and called prior to advise), professional and they were in and out in 45 mins. Will not use anyone else other than Five Star Towbars in the future.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the review Travis! 👍 See you on the next one. Happy travels mate!

Russell Diedrichs

Ryan & Anthony were pretty much top of their class, they hadn't fitted a towbar to my particular car model before, but knew exactly what to do in the shortest time possible. Many thanks.

Response from the owner:Thanks Russell for leaving your review and providing feedback. Will be sure to pass it on the boys! Happy travels 😃

Tom Goodes

The guys did a fantastic job of installing a towbar to my Superb. A hole was made out of view and looks very discreet. The price was better than all the quotes I received as well. Thank-you kindly. Highly recommend

Response from the owner:Thanks Tom! We're glad you're happy with our service. Happy trails mate 👍

Stephen Passarini

Punctual with great service. Also reasonably priced. Highly recommended. Will use them again.

Response from the owner:Hi. Stephen, Thanks for your review👍 Happy travels!

mandy O'Toole

Fantastic
Great communication
Guys were amazing highly recommend

Response from the owner:Hi Mandy, Thanks for your review will let the team know they did a good job. Happy travels!

Ben Millane

I have used 5 star toe balls for all my vehicles over the years and they are amazing to deal with. Great bunch of blokes very helpful and polite. Highly recommend

Response from the owner:Thanks Moon. Repeat customers is always a goal for any business so hearing you have used our services over the years means the world to us. We must doing something right! 😁 Thanks again!

Bernie Damman

These guys provide the best service and price for what only can be described as 5 star. Thanks for for a great job and a pleasurable buying experience. Regards Bernie

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We look forward to serving you again in the future.

Will Daw

Can't recommend Five Star Towbars enough for their expertise and customer service.
Ryan knew exactly what was needed for the tow package on my car and fitted it in record time.

Response from the owner:Thanks Will! Happy towing mate👍🏻

Nick Fraser

5 stars for Five Star Towbars
Ryan did an amazing job supplying and installing a Towball on my car.

His service was top-notch, and he was very professional and efficient throughout the process. The Towball looks great on my car, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.
Ryan's attention to detail and excellent customer service truly made the experience smooth and enjoyable.
I highly recommend his services to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled professional for their towing needs

Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star review, Nick! We are thrilled to hear that Ryan provided you with top-notch service and that you are satisfied with your Towball installation. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to serving you again in the future.

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.

<< 1 >>

Expert Tow Bar Installation

Electric Brake Controller

Understanding Electric brake controllers

Consult the experts today