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.

 

[LittleBill21]

if you changes vehicle regularly etrailer sells a prodigy kit where the entire brake controller is on the trailer, all you get inside the vehicle is a wireless controller. that maybe easier for you.

 

[dodge man]

I have electric brakes on my trailer and never had any problems with them.

 

[BertZegers]

I have never seen electric brakes before I came to Canada.
In Europe trailers over +/- 1000 pounds have brakes. Surge brakes, either with steel cable, or hydraulic. No controller needed.
There is a third safety cable that pulls the hand brake on the trailer if a trailer comes loose from the towing vehicle. The handbrake can also be used if the trailer is parked.
The harder you brake with the towing vehicle, the harder the trailer brakes. No adjustment needed on a controller.
This system is superior to electric! As an retired electrician I would never trust electric brakes. Would you drive a car with electric brakes?

 

[TractorGuy]

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.

You may not have known you had brakes but the larger U Hauls will be equipped with surge/hydraulic brakes. They use those because they work on any vehicle the trailer is connected to.

Call me lazy but I just check to make sure the controller is working and go with it. The nice thing about having a controller in the cab is you can activate the trailer brakes manually to confirm they are working. I check tire pressures before I leave the yard every time I tow.

Once a year or so I hit the grease zerks and check for bearing play. I spin the wheels while it's jacked up and listen for noises. As I said I have never had the drums off. I did adjust the brakes one time when the trailer was a couple of years old. It would probably be a good idea for me to pull the drums and check lining wear.

Mine had a wire get broken on two occasions. The first time was under warranty and it happened again a few years ago. I sometimes check it on the grass when it's empty to make sure all 4 wheels lock up. (mine has brakes on both axles) If they don't I look into why and repair. I also had to replace all 5 tires at 9 years old.

Looking at prices at that e trailer place a drum setup starts at $50 and a disc setup starts at $250.

 

[Deere Dude]

I bought a brand new PJ GN in 2013 for a 700 mile move. 75% interstate driving. I never inspected the breaks during the move but when done moving and with time on my hands I inspected them. The moves total miles was around 10k miles and when done the shoes were basically shot which I thought they would have lasted much longer, but they don't. I redid the whole braking setup with backing plate and all the hardware included for a couple hundred bucks so it wasn't a terrible ordeal.

I got a Tekonsha prodigy controller which worked perfectly whereas my older Tekonsha was terrible and only worked half the time. I would definitely get brakes on a smaller trailer unless the controller was a bear to change with new vehicles every couple years. That is partly why I still have my 02 dually. Changing the hitches and controllers is a pain.

 

[oldballs]

My 1999 skid steer trailer came with surge brakes. After years of replacing ruined tires due to one or another wheel locking up, I converted it to an electric brake system (still drum brakes) with a controller. Never have had a problem since.

 

[TractorGuy]

My 1999 skid steer trailer came with surge brakes. After years of replacing ruined tires due to one or another wheel locking up, I converted it to an electric brake system (still drum brakes) with a controller. Never have had a problem since.View attachment 589421View attachment 589427

Not much experience with the surge brakes but I imagine either system requires proper adjustment for the load.

 

[orezok]

I have never seen electric brakes before I came to Canada.
In Europe trailers over +/- 1000 pounds have brakes. Surge brakes, either with steel cable, or hydraulic. No controller needed.
There is a third safety cable that pulls the hand brake on the trailer if a trailer comes loose from the towing vehicle. The handbrake can also be used if the trailer is parked.
The harder you brake with the towing vehicle, the harder the trailer brakes. No adjustment needed on a controller.
This system is superior to electric! As an retired electrician I would never trust electric brakes. Would you drive a car with electric brakes?

Consider that over 500,000 RV trailers were sold last rear in the US. Over 90% had electric drum brakes. Number sold with surge brakes - 0%. Hmmm...

 

[RandyT]

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.

Just be aware that some factory installed integrated brake controllers are not compatible with electric over hydraulic systems.

 

[AllDodge]

Nothing wrong with surge brakes and are most often used on small to mid size boat trailers. The surge brake questions comes up a few times a year in boating forums. There have been several studies by transportation safety folks and all good. I changed over one of my boat trailers to electric because I'm in fresh water and like being able to adjust and control from the truck.

My runabout has surge disk breaks and like it also, and have also installed a switch in the cab to block the breaking when needed.

IMO, electric over hydraulic would be the best all around with disk brakes.