Elecbrakes – The portable electronic brake controller
Elecbrakes is all about the freedom to tow.
In Australia we don’t like rules and we don’t like limitations. The beauty of the Lucky Country lies in doing your thing, your way, and bugger all those who try to stop you.
That’s the guiding principle behind a product like Elecbrakes. Let’s face it, most trailers (think trade trailers, horse floats, even private use caravans) aren’t meant to be used in conjunction with a single tow vehicle for the length of their whole working life. There’s a reason why trailers are, by definition, detachable—or we’d only have trucks, buses and the like—and compatible with a high number of vehicles. That reason is called flexibility. So when you require flexibility in choosing which vehicles tow your trailer, sometimes it happens that a traditional, vehicle-installed electric brake controller may end up costing way more in practice than initially thought. With Elecbrakes you get the flexibility you require, end of costs, end of story.
With the braking controller unit installed on your trailer, you’re 100% flexible and only an app away from being able to tow with any driver, any vehicle, without further modifications required to the latter. That’s what the freedom to tow is about.
Case Study A: Multiple Vehicle Operators
Many common trailer applications in the business world require tow vehicle flexibility. Trade trailers and horse floats are great examples of trailers that get consistently towed by different drivers and, well, vehicles too. Naturally, if opting for an in-car brake control solution, each of these vehicles would have a brake controller fitted. On top of the electric controller cost, the average cost of an in car install is upwards of $550 (minimum 5 hours labour time).
Case Study B: Private Use Caravans
The caravan world is one that often has only one tow vehicle fitted to take off on the adventure of a lifetime. However, a caravan is a long term investment and tends to remain in the possession of its owner for a longer period of time. Reasons for an eventual change out or trade in include it being dated, exceeding (or, to the contrary, not meeting) the needs of the operators, or the wish for an upgrade. The average period a caravan spends with a particular household is about 8 years.
The tow vehicle, on the other hand, is a different story. The need for a switch out is in main part determined by km’s travelled, as well as the wear and tear based on usage. The average turn around time on vehicles is 3 years. It ensues that, over the life of a caravan, you may end up switching the car you use for towing 2-3 times.
Vehicle-installed brake controller
- ADR compliant electric brake controller $200
- + In car installation by auto electrician $550 = Cost per vehicle $750
- $700 x Number of towing vehicles in your business 3 = Total cost for the fleet $2250
Elecbrakes
- Elecbrakes electric brake controller w/ lead $699
- + Installation on trailer by auto electrician $110 approx = Cost per trailer $809
- $799 x Number of trailers 1 = Total cost for the fleet $809