Trailer brakes: electric vs. air
Which TrailMax trailers use which brakes, and what each one asks of your tow vehicle.
Electric brakes
Utility and Medium Tilts
Electric brakes on 7,000 to 10,000 lb axles, with a 12 volt sealed breakaway system that applies the brakes if the trailer separates from the truck. They run from a brake controller in the tow vehicle and tow on a 2-5/16" ball coupler.
Full air brakes
Heavy Tilts
S-cam full air brakes with maxi spring brakes, automatic slack adjusters, and 2S/2M ABS on 25,000 lb axles. The tow vehicle needs an air supply for the trailer, and the hitch moves to a drawbar eye or, on the FWTRD-70-T, a fifth wheel king pin.
Brakes on every TrailMax
| Model | Type | Brakes | Axles |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-12-UT | Electric | 12" x 2" electric brakes with 12 volt sealed breakaway system | 2 each 7 |
| T-16-UT | Electric | 12-1/4" x 3-3/8" electric brakes with 12 volt sealed breakaway system | 2 each 8 |
| T-20-UT | Electric | 12-1/4" x 4" electric brakes with 12 volt sealed breakaway system | 2 each 10 |
| T-16-T | Electric | 12-1/4" x 3-3/8" electric brakes with 12 volt sealed breakaway system | 2 each 8 |
| TD-40-T | Full air, s-cam | 12-1/4" x 7-1/2" s-cam full air brakes with maxi spring brakes on both axles, automatic slack adjusters, equipped with 2S/2M ABS | 2 each 25 |
| TD-42-T | Full air, s-cam | 16-1/2" x 7" s-cam full air brakes with maxi spring brakes on both axles, automatic slack adjusters, equipped with 2S/2M ABS | 2 each 25 |
| TRD-54-T | Full air, s-cam | 12-1/4" x 7-1/2" s-cam full air brakes with maxi spring brakes, automatic slack adjusters, equipped with 2S/2M ABS | 3 each 25 |
| FWTRD-70-T | Full air, s-cam | 12-1/4" x 7-1/2" s-cam full air brakes with maxi spring brakes on both axles, automatic slack adjusters, equipped with 2S/2M ABS | 3 each 25 |
Frequently asked questions
Does TrailMax use electric over hydraulic brakes?
No. The Utility and Medium Tilts use electric brakes, and the Heavy Tilts use full air s-cam brakes. Electric over hydraulic is a different system that does not appear on any current TrailMax spec sheet.
What is a breakaway system?
A battery and switch on the trailer that applies the electric brakes if the trailer comes loose from the tow vehicle. Every TrailMax with electric brakes has a 12 volt sealed breakaway.
What does 2S/2M ABS mean?
Two wheel speed sensors and two modulator valves, the anti-lock brake setup on the TrailMax Heavy Tilts.