The Basics of Inertia-Operated Hydraulic Trailer Braking

A hydraulic trailer brake system that requires no connection to the towing vehicle's brake system, permits liberal towing vehicle interchangeability, and operates automatically in proportion to trailer weight and towing vehicle deceleration, is operated by a device mounted on the trailer tongue. It also provides emergency breakaway braking without an auxiliary power source. This paper discusses principles and characteristics of this inertia-operated system.