DUAL AXLE TRAILERS

[DaveB]

Were I launch and many ramps are like this in florida there is 4 inch gaps in concrete ramp that the tires sit into and need to force the trailer over them, this will cause the brakes to bind up if a solonid isn't used. Any force from the truck backing up will ativate the brakes.
Dave

The backup solonoid on a surge brake system is to prevent the brakes from engaging while backing up a hill, not down a ramp. Going down, the trailer will pull the acuator away from the tow vehicle, which does not apply the brakes. While backing up a hill the trailer will push toward the tow vehicle pressing on the actuator, activating the brakes, which is why the lockout solonoid is required.

[Capt Sully]

The first time I backed down the ramp to get the boat back on the trailer my brakes locked up. At first I thought it was because of my angle. I unpluged the wiring and the brakes released. These are surge brakes on a 2010 factory trailer.

[Kelly Hanson East]

Something wrong there, Captain. Unplugging should enable, not disable hydraulic surge brakes...hmmmm

[THE CUSCUS]

Thanks for all you great, and thought out responses. I should have stated in my first post, that by brakes, I was referring to electric ones ( wouldn't even think about the hydraulic type....too many negatives). I will be making the rear axle the one with the brakes (electric), for many of your listed reasons.
Thanks again for all your help.
Jim

[Kelly Hanson East]

I think you will have many more problems with electric brakes than surge brakes..

[waternwaves]

agreed.......definitely not for a saltwater boat, and mostly not for a freshwater boat

[Doug91mac26s]

I also agree! IMHO electric brakes should not be used on boat trailers at all!

[flynfol]

I'm curious guys........why not? I hope you are going to go farther than saying electricity and water don't mix.

John

[flynfol]

I have used them for years......please don't tell my trailer they don't work.......I have been fooling it for years.

I am sure SOMEONE out there needs to READ it on the internet to be convinced....

so here ya go.............http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/upkee ... brakes.asp

John

[Doug91mac26s]

John, thanks for that write-up on electric brakes. Maybe things are different these days with electric brakes and water, though salt water may be a different story. I can believe the electrical components can be well sealed. But it sounds like an electric system only works with drum brakes. Disc brake systems have fewer parts, easier to rinse, etc. But I like a lot of the benefits of an electric system. If I was just now in the process of rebuilding my trailer, I guess I'd seriously consider the electric system.

[flynfol]

I can't argue about disc brakes being easier to clean and have less moving parts, but I have had caliper pistons seize in their bores and lock a brake up. Having said that, stainless steel helps with that tremendously. I probably take things apart more than I need to, and tend not to have the typical corrosion issues(I operate in fresh water...nothing like dipping alloys in an electrolyte ) I wish I had a dollar for everytime someone said that it wouldn't work.

Because it works for me doesn't mean that it will work for someone else. If I were a boat salesman, it certainly would be easier to have someone drive away with a surge brake system on a boat trailer rather than the added expense of the controller and required wiring. IMHO.

...in any regard, the weather is warming up, sailing season wil soon be upon us, and I want to hit the water( I don't live to trailer, but it gets me to the water ).

Fairwinds, John

[Kelly Hanson East]

Its this simple. How many of us have had a problem with a trailer light going out while trailering?

Answer: Everyone.

With electric brakes, such an electrical problem means ...no brakes.

Surge brakes are an elegant, close loop solution to braking which work well and are easy to maintain. The article about the driver having 'control' of the braking from the cabin is hoohey....in a non-emergency situation one simply steps on the brake pedal with either system - in an emergency, a skilled driver keeps both hands on the wheel in hard braking either as a result of training, or, like me, while they retract their t**Sticles.

It also stinks of someone trying to use a local/state/federal ordinance issue to sell something, frankly.

I dont know if electrics preclude the use of discs or not. If they do, then thats the last nail in the coffin for me.
Discs are much better in the marine environment, not to mention superior resistance to fade, and the ability to check the pads for wear without wheel/drum removal.

[flynfol]

Properly sealed wiring works as well as properly sealed brake lines and pistons. They both need to be installed and maintained properly. Can you adjust surge brakes from inside the tow vehicle for different road conditions and trailer weights? Can you test your surge brakes when initially pulling the trailer? They have VALID benefits and that was all I was trying to say. I don't recall anyone saying anything about taking their hands off the wheel to do any braking.

BTW......I never have had a problem with my trailer lights.......so your "everyone" comment is false.

I have only stated facts that I have experienced.......and I'm not trying to sell anything. It is just an option.

Have a nice day,
John

[waternwaves]

I wish I had a dollar for everytime someone said that it wouldn't work.

This is not what I said.

Electric brakes have more problems in water.....than hydraulic brakes.

The require more service.
The risk is they wont work when you need them. oh well.........

[flynfol]

I don't recall directing that comment at you. I merely stated that I was told by many that it would not work( I'm glad I didn't listen....my guess is they never tried it). I have alot of experience with electric brakes on other trailers. They WORK. I took it upon myself to install them on my boat trailer when the hydraulic surge brakes failed from corrosion and took the trouble to seal them well. Use tinned marine grade wire and don't use the trailer for a ground. Support the wire properly from flexing. Nothing more nothing less. I didn't reinvent the wheel here guys. I use electric brakes for my other trailers and already had the controller and wiring installed. They have been on that trailer for 7 years without any indication of wire corrosion or failure. I do inspect them, just as you should with surge brakes. The drum brake mechanical portion of the system is no different from the surge brake system in terms of parts. It is just how they are actuated that is different. They can be fine tuned with the touch of a finger depending on how heavy the trailer is loaded which is way more difficult to do on surge brakes. You don't have the coupler maintenance to contend with either. They also accomodate an extendable trailer tongue, which I also installed.

I have only stated facts that electric brakes are an option. I have no problems debating the subject, but at least interject with worthwhile information. I thought, that is what these forums were for, information sharing. If you have installed them and they didn't work, then I would love to know what part failed. Just because you say they don't belong on a boat trailer, I proved from EXPERIENCE that you are WRONG. I wire my trailer lights in the same fashion. Separate grounds, sealed LED lights, properly sealed connections, and marine grade(tinned) wire. Do it right once, and be done with it.

I'm certainly not going to remove them from my trailer because you said they don't belong there. They get immersed in 3 ft of water for a couple minutes, not for days at a time, water does not permeate any of the electrical portion of the system. You don't even need to unplug them or the LED trailer lights for that matter(they don't get hot,so won't crack from the water).

Some people like Chevy, some like Ford is all.......BTW I like Chevy

I am happy to share what I've learned from many years of tinkering. I have built and flown or drove airplanes,cars, snowmobiles, boats, and all other kinds of machines with a high success rate. I certainly won't try and convince you to do something that will fail.

John