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

Top rated

4.9

Based on 263 reviews

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Wendy Worrell

1 week ago

Excellent service! A very smooth and easy process from start to finish. Communication was excellent, they were very punctual, and had the job done in no time. Would highly recommend!

A H

1 week ago

Both Tyson (Installer) and Ryan were very professional the installation process was amazing, wish I could give more than 5 Stars, highly recommended

neilW

3 weeks ago

I was very happy with Cain & Anthony fitting my towbar in Blackburn last week...They turned up on time & did a very neat & professional job with a minimum of fuss...Didn't even want a coffee.😀 Can't ask for much more than that.👍

Pauline Rutaquio

4 weeks ago

Luke and Ryan were amazing and great to deal with from the get go! Such quick responses, great value for money with reasonable pricing, and high quality work with the towbar they installed for me. Would 100% recommend Five Star Towbars to others.

Joshua Verco

1 month ago

I stopped by with a job that I needed some advice on. Turns out on spare of the moment they were able to advise AND do the job and thoroughly! What I thought in my mind was going to be a bigger job, they knocked over easily in less than 2hrs. Extremely happy and relieved to have my towbar problem solved! 💪 Five Star for a reason

Response from the owner:Thanks Joshua, we are delighted we could help on short notice and get your towbar sorted quickly. Hearing you left relieved and happy really makes our day. We appreciate the five star rating and your recommendation. If anything else comes up, we are here to help.

Peter G

1 month ago

I would like to say a BIG thank you to Five Star Towbars, Luke Anthony and Kane. I had a Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Electric Trailer Brake Controller system installed on my car. They were right on time they're professionalism and customer service is top notch and nothing but the best 👌. When i aked Luke how long it'll take a couple of hours and that was exactly how long it took. Anthony and Kane took great care with my CLUBSPORT and ran through everything with me to familiarize the system and if i had any follow ups don't hesitate to contact them 😊. I highly recommend Five Star to anyone looking at having anything trailer wise done on their vehicle 😀.

Response from the owner:Thanks Peter, we are thrilled you had such a great experience with Luke, Anthony and Kane. We appreciate you sharing the details and recommendation, and we will pass your kind words on to the team. If you have any follow ups about the system, we are here to help.

Chris Glapa

1 month ago

Guys were very personable and professional AND on time - no fuss.. cheers guys 👍

Response from the owner:Thanks Chris, we really appreciate your kind words. We are glad the team was personable, professional and on time. We will pass your praise along to everyone. Cheers!

Dean

1 month ago

Highly recommend this company, they take so much care in installing your towbar and insuring all panels are put back perfectly. awesome job from the guys and fantastic customer service when requesting a quote.Thank you

Response from the owner:Thanks Dean, we’re thrilled you’re happy with the towbar installation and that our team carefully refitted all panels. We really appreciate your recommendation and kind words about our customer service. We’ll pass your thanks on to the guys who worked on your vehicle. Please get in touch anytime if you need anything else.

Ross Young

2 months ago

Thanks Luke ! Very happy with the service and competitive price. Product is good and as quoted. Installer Mark was great to deal with and very informative. Happy to recommend.

Response from the owner:Thanks Ross! We're thrilled you're happy with the service, competitive price, and that the product matched the quote. We'll pass your kind words on to Mark — he'll be pleased to hear it. Thanks for recommending us.

Sheldon Williams

2 months ago

Very professional and on time. Did a great job and provided some excellent maintenance advice. Highly recommended.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Sheldon — we appreciate the great feedback. We're glad our team was on time, professional, and that the maintenance advice was helpful. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again.

Jeff Warke

2 months ago

Highly recommend FiveStar Towbars. Luke was great to deal with and organised the job, and Mark, the installer, was extremely professional. My Hyundai Kona has a build date right around the model changeover, which meant the towbar originally supplied turned out not to be the correct fit. Mark arrived at the agreed time, identified the issue straight away, then went to another supplier to source the correct towbar, came back and completed the installation without any fuss. Once finished, he connected up the portable test trailer lights and tested all the lights to show me everything was working correctly. Excellent service from start to finish, professional installation, great problem-solving, and the convenience of having the whole job done at my home. Very happy with the result and would highly recommend Luke, Mark and the FiveStar Towbars team.

Response from the owner:Thanks Jeff, we’re thrilled you had such a positive experience. We’ll pass your kind words on to Luke and Mark — they’ll be pleased to hear this. Glad Mark could source the correct towbar, complete the install at your home and confirm everything was working perfectly. Thank you for recommending FiveStar Towbars; we appreciate your support and are here if you need anything in the future.

Clive Cooper

2 months ago

Five Star are one of the best in the business, every aspect from initial enquiry to finished product was perfect and i'm thrilled with the results! Save yourself time, and contact these guys first because they will be your No.1 choice. 🙂

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the fantastic review, Clive. We're thrilled the whole process, from initial enquiry to the finished product, met your expectations and we'll pass your praise on to the team. If you need anything else or would like to recommend us to friends, we're always here to help.

Greg

3 months ago

Really great customer service, easy to organise. Guys were on time and quality work with the call

Nick Torkington

3 months ago

Anthony and Tyson did a fantastic job installing a towbar and brake controller on my Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Highly recommended.

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review, Nick. We’re thrilled Anthony and Tyson did a fantastic job installing the towbar and brake controller on your Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. We appreciate the recommendation and are here if you need anything in the future.

Steve Briner

3 months ago

Have an ID4 and had concerns given the new release . The team nailed it. From communication to the installation 10/10. What a cracking job on the install and so easy to talk to. Well done Brian and Cain. Awesome job. #ID4

Response from the owner:Thanks so much for the great review, Steve. We're thrilled Brian and Cain delivered a smooth installation and kept communication clear for your ID4. We appreciate you recognizing the team's work and the 10/10 rating. If you need anything in the future, please reach out.

Will Papakostas

3 months ago

Luke, Tony and Kane were great to deal with. Excellent price and perfect install, would recommend to family and friends.

Response from the owner:Thanks, Will. Luke, Tony and Kane will be thrilled to hear your feedback. We’re glad you were happy with the price and installation and really appreciate your recommendation to family and friends. If you need anything in the future please reach out.

g Gb

3 months ago

I had Brian and Cain fit a tow bar on my Mercedes and found their quality of work outstanding and very professional. . Thanks guys

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review and for recognizing Brian and Cain's workmanship. We're glad the tow bar fit and service met your expectations. We appreciate you trusting us with your Mercedes. If you need anything else, please reach out.

Chuck

4 months ago

The guys installed a tow bar to my VW van on site last Friday, the process was quick, professional and on budget. Thank you

Response from the owner:Thanks Chuck — we're glad the on-site tow bar install for your VW van was quick, professional, and on budget. We appreciate you choosing us and the kind feedback. If you need anything else, give us a shout.

Andrew Gregor

4 months 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

5 months 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

5 months 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

6 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

6 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

6 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

7 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!

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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