Dual axle trailers

Thept

Cadet
Joined
Mar 31, 2008
Messages
12
On dual axle trailers some come with surge brakes and some with electric brakes. What is the difference between the two and is one better than the other?

Thanks
 

shorts&chanclas

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
125
Re: Dual axle trailers

I think electrical are supposed to be better for response and control. Your tow vehicle will have to have the electric brake connection. Surge brakes are tried and true and work for most. Plus you don't have another electrical system getting wet 2 times for every 1 time you use your boat.
 

dave11

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 2, 2007
Messages
1,195
Re: Dual axle trailers

If you need brakes on your trailer, I would go with an electric over hydraulic brake system.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Dual axle trailers

dave11, i'm surprized you said that being from flat country, and salt water environment.

it really depends on where you are towing. electric, in hilly, mountainous areas. you can use the in cab controller to slow the trailer on a down hill grade. Flat lands, surge are great. and salt water they are better, and you don't have the electrical corroding. also having brakes on both axles is a big plus, and a reverse lock out solenoid. so you can back without the brakes locking up.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,198
Re: Dual axle trailers

It depends on if you’re talking electric brakes or electric over hydraulic.

I would never own a boat trailer that has electric brakes on it. They work great on horse trailers and such but submersing them is just asking for problems.

Now the electric over hydraulic are great and I’d convert my surge brakes in minute if the control unit wasn’t $700.
 

elwopo

Seaman
Joined
Oct 21, 2005
Messages
73
Re: Dual axle trailers

My trailer supposedly has surge brakes. Is there any way to check if they are working? Towed it for the first time and it's not much of a smooth ride at all...especially when braking.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
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Messages
51,019
Re: Dual axle trailers

very easy to see if they are working. back up an incline, with the lock out solenoid disabled. they will lock up.
 

External Combustion

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
608
Re: Dual axle trailers

If you don't have a handy incline, pull the break away protector. If you don't have a break away protector place a ratchet tie down strap between the bumper and the trailer. Tighten it and try to drive away. In either case, if the wheels turn then you have problems.
 

dave11

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 2, 2007
Messages
1,195
Re: Dual axle trailers

TD

I think for a reasonably heavy (tandem axel) boat/trailer that electric over hydraulic brakes provide the best of both types. The only downside I see is that they cost more.
 

elwopo

Seaman
Joined
Oct 21, 2005
Messages
73
Re: Dual axle trailers

If you don't have a handy incline, pull the break away protector. If you don't have a break away protector place a ratchet tie down strap between the bumper and the trailer. Tighten it and try to drive away. In either case, if the wheels turn then you have problems.


I'm not sure I follow. Hook the boat trailer up to the truck with a tie down only and the trailer not on the ball?
 

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: Dual axle trailers

I'm not sure I follow. Hook the boat trailer up to the truck with a tie down only and the trailer not on the ball?

Hook up as normal.

Add a strap between the trailer and truck to pull them together and compress the brake actuator. Then leave the strap hooked up, and try to move the truck forward, the trailer brakes should be applied and the wheels locked.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,198
Re: Dual axle trailers

Just jack up one of the wheels with a brake and give the wheel a whirl. Most actuators have a method of manual actuation or if worst comes to worst use your draw bar to actuate the brake. Same principal you use for bleeding them
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,559
Re: Dual axle trailers

Sure sounds a lot easier to just do this...

Unless you have free-backing brakes which almost all drum brakes are.

I kinda like the strap method. never thought of that one before.

I just jack up each wheel and test each with the break-away lever. This way, you actually test every wheel. if 1 out of the 4 is not working, you would never realize this otherwise.
 

elwopo

Seaman
Joined
Oct 21, 2005
Messages
73
Re: Dual axle trailers

When you jack it up, do you place the jack under the axle? The axle is lower to the ground. To use the frame of the trailer I'd have to place the jack on some kind of stand or makeshift platform.
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: Dual axle trailers

I just jack up each wheel and test each with the break-away lever. This way, you actually test every wheel. if 1 out of the 4 is not working, you would never realize this otherwise.

That's a good point.

Re Jacking, I'd use the trailer frame. A bottle jack on a piece of 2x8 would reach it, or a 4x4 block or what not on top of a floor jack. You don't have to go very high...
 
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