Electric Brakes

[TimberXX]

So I've been looking hard my first dump trailer, but I am unsure about brakes. I am considering a brake less 3000 lb or a 5000 lb with brakes. How much maintenance are electric brakes? Also, we lease out SUVs, so my tow vehicle will be changing. I am fearful of the expense of new brake controllers on each vehicle, and the cost of brake maintenance. I'm planning to tow about 2000 miles per year.

I will never tow over 3000 lbs (1800 of payload). But the prices for the 5000 brake trailers are within $400.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Rook78]

Brake controller swaps between vehicles should only cost you a harness. Vehicles today are plug and play most times for the controller. I.E use your old controller in the new SUV

 

[Reg]

So I've been looking hard my first dump trailer, but I am unsure about brakes. I am considering a brake less 3000 lb or a 5000 lb with brakes. How much maintenance are electric brakes? Also, we lease out SUVs, so my tow vehicle will be changing. I am fearful of the expense of new brake controllers on each vehicle, and the cost of brake maintenance. I'm planning to tow about 2000 miles per year.

I will never tow over 3000 lbs (1800 of payload). But the prices for the 5000 brake trailers are within $400.

Let me know your thoughts.

First ask yourself this;
Would you buy a car, truck, or motorcycle with drum brakes ?
I would NOT !

I would ABSOLUTELY go with a trailer WITH brakes.
Regardless of local or State laws, even an un-braked single ton flapping around behind you is a PROBLEM in an emergency.

but, here's the BUTT !
Why "electric" brakes ?
Look on e-trailer some time at axles with (electric) drums, look again at same rated axles with disks, on some load ratings the disks are cheaper - and of course the maintenance cost is incredibly less.

So where's the catch ?
Right here; you ALSO need an hydraulic brake controller (basically an electrically driven hydraulic pump) and those are expensive. The trailer also needs the "plumbing" of hydraulic lines, so that also adds to the cost of the trailer.

I suggest/recommend that you go back to the dealer and ask what the price would be with DISKS, also what the cost of the hydraulic brake controller would be.

Terminology; This is often referred to as an "electric over hydraulic" system.
You still need the brake controller for the tow vehicle and as far as that controller is concerned the trailer appears to have electric brakes.

 

[Reg]

So I've been looking hard my first dump trailer, but I am unsure about brakes. I am considering a brake less 3000 lb or a 5000 lb with brakes. How much maintenance are electric brakes? Also, we lease out SUVs, so my tow vehicle will be changing. I am fearful of the expense of new brake controllers on each vehicle, and the cost of brake maintenance. I'm planning to tow about 2000 miles per year.

I will never tow over 3000 lbs (1800 of payload). But the prices for the 5000 brake trailers are within $400.

Let me know your thoughts.

First ask yourself this;
Would you buy a car, truck, or motorcycle with drum brakes ?
I would NOT !

I would ABSOLUTELY go with a trailer WITH brakes.
Regardless of local or State laws, even an un-braked single ton flapping around behind you is a PROBLEM in an emergency.

but, here's the BUTT !
Why "electric" brakes ?
Look on e-trailer some time at axles with (electric) drums, look again at same rated axles with disks, on some load ratings the disks are cheaper - and of course the maintenance cost is incredibly less.
Electric brakes are a maintenance NIGHTMARE, hydraulic drums are only a little better.

So where's the catch ?
Right here; you ALSO need an hydraulic brake controller (basically an electrically driven hydraulic pump) and those are expensive. The trailer also needs the "plumbing" of hydraulic lines, so that also adds to the cost of the trailer.

I suggest/recommend that you go back to the dealer and ask what the price would be with DISKS, also what the cost of the hydraulic brake controller would be.

Terminology; This is often referred to as an "electric over hydraulic" system.
You still need the brake controller for the tow vehicle and as far as that controller is concerned the trailer appears to have electric brakes.

 

[TractorGuy]

My 2006, 7500lb car trailer has never had the drums off and the brakes still work as new. The Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller make the trailer almost like it isn't there the brakes are so smooth.

I agree that drum brakes are old technology but with the right controller I would buy them again and not worry about it.

On the other hand think about the increased wear on your tow vehicle from towing a trailer without brakes. Not to mention the safety aspects. The last time I towed a boat without brakes I had it push me right past a stop sign and into an intersection when I hit the gravel dropped by dump trucks at that spot.

Not sure about the maintenance but surge brakes seem to work okay too. I borrowed a 10,000 lb trailer to pick up my last tractor purchase that had surge brakes and it seemed to be just as stable as my car hauler. No vehicle controller needed for those.

 

[4570Man]

I’ve never had any problems with electric trailer brakes. Probably the only other practical option is surge brakes. I’ve never seen a trailer except on rare occasions a boat trailer with disk brakes. There’s nothing inherently wrong with drum brakes I’ve never seen a heavy truck that used anything except drum brakes.

 

[TimberXX]

Good aspects about safety guys, i rented uhaul trailers 26 times in the past year or so so I guess I am just used to trailer with out brakes. Also, since I leave, I'm not too concerned about the wear and tear too too much.

From what I've read, sounds like these brakes need to be maintained yearly, is that accurate? Looks like JD and 45 never had any issues, but any other maintenance costs?

I like the wireless brake controller, i was looking at the curt one.

I live in north NJ, and maintain all my equipment, but trailer brake and controllers I don't deal with, and with shop rates what they are, I really don't want this trailer to be a cash cow.

 

[KennyG]

I'm not sure about annual maintenance. I don't do anything to mine as long as they work. If you tow a lot, they may need adjustment but other than adjustment and eventual shoe replacement there isn't really any maintenance. Wheel bearings probably need more attention than brakes.

 

[AllDodge]

You can spend a lot or a little on controllers. The cheap on works just fine as the expensive ones, and actually can be adjusted on the fly most times easier. Have had all kinds and still have a cheap one on the dump truck which pulls a 10 Ton tag with electric brakes. Also have electric brakes on 2 of my boat trailers and they work fine.

Not to get into the surge, electric and electric over hydraulic think, there is next to no maintenance. You look for leaking seals, otherwise just keep using them, every so often check the battery on the trailer. If they start to fade then they need a looked at.

 

[MAX28HST]

I'd go with trailer brakes!

This last January 18th/19th we got our first round (slammed hard) with snow in Wisconsin... My brother (has his CDL and a Firefighter - drives big trucks etc.), came north from Madison area; family get together in Central Wisconsin. He was hauling a two place aluminum trailer / no brakes / trailer swinging like a pendulum; met the side rail on a bridge. Thankfully he was ok. Shutdown the I90/39 for a bit! Trailer totaled, truck (most likely) totaled - if you look at hood lines, truck tweaked - drivers door only opens 1/4 way.