Does Hopkins Reliance Brake Controller Override Button Put Trailer Brakes at Full Power

Published 03/12/2020

Question:

So I pulled my trailer recently and the plus and minus adjustments were great I was able to set it at 30 which was perfect but no matter which setting I have even if I have it all the way down to 10 when I hit the red brake button my brakes lock up. From videos I’ve watched it appears the red brake button should apply the brakes at the setting I have inputted. I’m just curious if the installer wired something wrong because the red brake button seems to apply at full hundred percent

asked by: Jayson

Helpful Expert Reply:

I reached out to my contact at Hopkins and your Reliance Brake Controller 47285 is functioning properly. The red button on the side is for emergency use and it will apply your trailer brakes with 100% power regardless of what you have the operating power set at.

For a brake controller that applies the brakes gradually with the manual override I recommend the Draw-Tite Activator IV # 5504 instead. For this controller the manual override is on a slide and as you slide the lever over the more immediate power you will be sending to your trailer brakes.

expert reply by: Jon G