surge vs electric brakes

[rhody98]

I plan to install brakes on my single axle trailer this winter. I can hear the frozen snow crunching under my feet now.

What is the consenses on electric vs surge brakes?? Recently came across info on the feds making surge brakes illegal - is this just garbage??? The kids want to go to Moosehead Lake this summer, up yonder in Maine, so I am making the rig as roadworthy as it is seaworthy.

[Fr. Frank]

Electric brakes just don't last more than a season or so when dunked in saltwater.
New thing is electro/hydraulic brakes. Electronic brake controller activates some kind of electrically operated hydraulic pump on the tongue to activate brakes on variable pressure basis. Stainless costs about $900 for a single axle setup with 10" discs. I've only seen the ads for them.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

My trailer came with surge drum brakes and didn’t last, the drum part rusted out. I then replaced the drum part with Stainless disk brakes and they just keep on going. I like the surge principal and tow my boat approx 40 times a year since 2001 with no problems in that part of the system. I also like the stainless disk because the only thing you probably will have to replace is the pads. Now if I could only keep my light bulbs working.

As for a single axel trailer with breaks I would probably pass on having them on a lighter rig like yours unless you were required to have them or you were trailring with a small tow vehicle.



FellowShip

Just for the Grins

[rhody98]

I like that idea, ss discs and surge brakes. I'm ok w/o the brakes locally and legal as the ramp is 5 miles from the house.... but for any kind of trip the jeep cherokee just does not have the brakes to stop quickly. I will be adding some form of trailer brakes.

[Fr. Frank]

Do the SS discs. It's worth the extra $$. Make sure you've got an axle with the brake mounting flange.

[rhody98]

I agree with you Fr., tired of dealing with rust. And yes the mounting flange is there.

[paragod]

U wont to see high dollar look at the elec/hydro that control is 500.00 Tie Down has the whole kit for about 500.00 Kodiak are the best and the most expensive I use the Kodiak silver cad on the trailers I build good price and hold up very well not SS but a good mid range brake that will last.