Does a Trailer Brake Controller Draw Power When Off and with No Trailer Connected?

Updated 11/29/2017 | Published 11/28/2017

Question:

I am looking to install this brake controller. Tekonsha PowerTrac Electronic Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Time Delayed Item # 39523 does this stay on? will this eat up the tow vehicle battery? or will it automatically turn off when the trailer is disconnected?

asked by: Eric C

Expert Reply:

Trailer brake controllers such as the Tekonsha PowerTrac # 39523 will draw a very tiny amount of power even when the vehicle is off and still and with no trailer connected. But this power draw is so small that you would need to leave the vehicle for months without starting it for this to become a concern.

Brake controllers do NOT have on/off power buttons for the simple reason that this could allow accidentally driving with no trailer brakes! This is why units like the PowerTrac and others are engineered to draw very, very little power when idle.

expert reply by: Adam R