Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

[joleda]

I have a 21' Bayliner with hydraulic surge brakes. I have to replace the surge coupler and was thinking about changing to electric brakes. Is one type of brakes better than the other?
Thanx,
Dave

 

[KaGee]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

You'll have to replace everything if you do.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

Whats wrong with the coupler? If it's a master cylinder problem, the master cylinders are replaceable without replacing the complete coupler.

 

[joleda]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

The coupler is total rust and full of water. The coupler is $120 versus $250 to change over to electric. If I am investing in the brake system I want to go with the best system. I am looking for opinions of which system is the best.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

$250? Does that include the controller, loaded backing plates & wiring?

IMO, electric is far superior to surge.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

i think you will find the conversion, much more expensive than you think. both system work as design, and there purpose. if driving in hilly, mountainous, territory it would want electric, with the auxillary manual control so you can apply trailer brakes, without applying the tow vehicle brakes. slick roads, ice, steep down hill grade.

in the south (flat lands) we prefer the hydrolic systems, with the wash out (flush system). much less to maintain.

compare hydrolic and electric here: http://www.championtrailers.com/

 

[KaGee]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

If you do replace the master cylinder, I think you will find you will have to bleed out the system of all the junk.

I ended up re-doing my whole system. New brake lines, coupler/master cylinder, and back plates with all new shoes, cylinders and hardware.

Bought everything locally for about $300.

I can't believe you can switch to electric for $250. No way!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

I would think it would be easy to convert for $250. Of course you have to add the cost of the breakaway battery and brake controller inside the tow vehicle.

I wouldn't do it though, especially if you ever launch in salt water.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

The coupler is total rust and full of water. The coupler is $120 versus $250 to change over to electric. If I am investing in the brake system I want to go with the best system. I am looking for opinions of which system is the best.

Well if you want "the best" then I would then seriously consider electric-over-hydraulic actuated hydraulic brakes.

I might be wrong but if you already have hyd. surge brakes (either drums or discs) I think you can replace the surge coupler with the elec-over-hyd. coupler and the controller in the cab of the truck. Without changing anything downstream of the coupler.

Then you have RV style brake controls from inside the truck which you can manually activate like when going downhill. And it actuates your brakes in proportion to your tow vehicle brakes. And you are not dunking elec. brakes in the water all the time.

However, it is a bit overkill for a 21' boat.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

Besides the cost of the elec/hydraulic controller($550) add a breakaway battery(2 x $50 = $100) and a controller ($100) and you are up to $750. I felt it was worth it in my case with a heavy 24' boat being towed by a 1/2T truck in the mountains. If you go electric brakes you will need a break away battery($50) and the controller $100 in addition to the electric brakes.

If you go with the electric/hydraulic, you have a decision to make whether you want drum or disc since the pressure outputs are different.

I still would not go with the electric brakes on a boat trailer that was going to be put in salt water.

Here is my elec/hydraulic unit:

I also replaced my brakes with disc brakes. I started out with the Tie-Down pieces of junk and now have a set of Kodiaks.

 

[Coors]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

I converted to hydraulic disk brakes for $550 in parts. Everything cadmium plated.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

Hydraulics with disk brakes is the only safe way to go in salt water.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

Hydraulics with disk brakes is the only safe way to go in salt water.

With as much as possible in stainless steel.

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

Bruce what kind of batteries do you use? I use a small 12 volt sealed wet cell that they use for home alarm systems approx $20. They are small and light.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Electric brakes versus hydraulic surge brakes

Right now I am using a battery that is way to small. It is the type normally used for standard electric trailer brakes. I am in the process of making a stainless steel battery box that will hold a larger battery that is close to 7" wide.

I have noticed that these batteries are easily damaged by being discharged. I now have a small solar panel that will be attatched to the trailer when it is sitting to keep the battery topped off.

Bucky, where are you located? I am in Chatsworth.