Brakes.... Electric or Hydraulic (surge)

[Diamondpilot]

Surge brakes work fine but requires more maintenance. I like them because you can get disc brakes Which are 10 fold superior to drums. That being said electric brakes are cheaper in the long run.

The ultimate in brakes is electric over hydraulic disc like I have on my 18K and 12K trailer.

Chris

 

[OKnewguy]

Surge brakes are used on most boat trailers. I have them on mine (disc) and they work great! As far as back up, these trailers use a 5way plug like this
Trailer Wiring Diagram For 4 Way, 5 Way, 6 Way and 7 Way circuits I actually took mine off and used a standard rv plug. The 5th wire is used to actuate a hydraulic look out. When the reverse lights go on, it looks out the hydraulics. Works great, but does not offer braking while backing. In general I do not think any one really uses surge brakes anymore with out the actuator.
Dave

 

[Al Mac]

Well it looks like electric is the choice of many. I didn't want my rig to be used when the trailer is used by others. They are great people but some don't trailer often. I just don't want my rig and insurance to be used with a strong learning curve with others.
I was looking for a self contained unit and surge would fit that "plug and play " idea. The wireless electric looks interesting as a way to make it work and I will look into that deeper.
I know that I can say no to family/friends but that is not my style.
With the 3-4 times a year (maybe more) others will have the trailer. I could be overthinking the issue.


Al

 

[MinnesotaEric]

1/5ths of the miles on my current truck are towing. I loath surge brakes.

No brake controller, no lending your trailer out. Simplified life.

 

[aczlan]

No brake controller, no lending your trailer out. Simplified life.

That will also help weed out the people who shouldn't be towing a trailer big enough to need brakes...
If you cant spend $40-50 on a brake controller and a wiring kit, you shouldn't be towing a trailer big enough to need one.

Aaron Z

 

[Looking4new]

I know that I can say no to family/friends but that is not my style.
Al

Then just say, 'sorry, my insurance will NOT cover your pulling my trailer'.

 

[crazyal]

Electric brake trailers will have a 7 pin connector. If they don't have a brake controller it's unlikely they will have the 7 pin trailer connector. That means they are not going to have brake lights without making up an adapter. This could deter them from borrowing it or worse thinking that they can get away without any lights or brakes.

 

[aczlan]

Electric brake trailers will have a 7 pin connector. If they don't have a brake controller it's unlikely they will have the 7 pin trailer connector. That means they are not going to have brake lights without making up an adapter. This could deter them from borrowing it or worse thinking that they can get away without any lights or brakes.

Many newer vehicles (2004+?) come with a 7 pin connector even if they only have a 1 1/4" receiver (think Ford Explorer).

Aaron Z

 

[kevinwak]

Electric brake trailers will have a 7 pin connector. If they don't have a brake controller it's unlikely they will have the 7 pin trailer connector. That means they are not going to have brake lights without making up an adapter. This could deter them from borrowing it or worse thinking that they can get away without any lights or brakes.

that is not true. The brake light signal comes on the same wire as the left and right signal lights. A 4 pin gives you a ground, a left signal, a right signal and marker lights. The seven pin adds a live power wire, for charging your breakaway battery etc, a reverse wire, and the electric brake wire. The wire that applies the brakes is in no way connected to the two that illuminate the brake lights.

 

[SSdoxie]

I hate saying no to family or close friends that have asked to use my trailer, but in long run I think this is better than the responsibility I would feel if they injured themselves or someone else using my trailer with inadequate tow vehicle.