Electric Brakes

[HT32BSX115]

Ok,

I know this had probably been "beat to death".

Who has removed their surge drum brake system and replaced it with electric brakes (NOT Elec/Hyd disc....I already know about that stuff!.......I also know that some think water will short electronics........can't see how that can happen.........electric brake magnets are completely sealed....other than that, they have the same moving parts (actually less) as my current hyd drum brakes..... ..)

I currently have a 2 axle trailer, roughly 6000lb GVW and only one axle with hyd drum brakes.

The rear axle doesn't have brakes nor does it have a backing plate flange (so I'll have to weld one on)

I'm planning 2 complete sets of Dexter NEV-R-Adjust 10"x 2 1/2" brake sets (Break sets for those of you in Rio Linda:lol

I'll use the OEM 2005 F350 controller already on the truck.

Anyone else done this?


Cheers,


Rick
.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Electric Brakes

YEP! best thing I ever did to my trailer

also installed a break away kit and ran the cable to one of my safety chains... the trigger pops out just before the chain is fully stretched.


I removed the guts from the tongue and welded it all solid

 

[LaBomba]

Re: Electric Brakes

I also did this exact changeover and haven't regretted it for a minute. I never have liked surge brakes.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Electric Brakes

I also did this exact changeover and haven't regretted it for a minute. I never have liked surge brakes.

Yeah. I have never liked Surge brakes either.

How about using the boat battery as the the "Break-away" battery instead of a separate small gell-cell battery?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Electric Brakes

Yeah. I have never liked Surge brakes either.

How about using the boat battery as the the "Break-away" battery instead of a separate small gell-cell battery?

You can but have to run a long wire to the break away switch.

I just hate drum brakes period which is why I won't use them on a trailer that goes in salt water.

Before you switch from surge brakes, will anyone ever pull your trailer?
I would switch my pontoon boat trailer to electric since it only gets used in fresh but since other people may tow it, I am keeping it as surge.

Electric brakes aren't no maintenance. On my parent's 5th wheel trailer with 3 axles, they have had to replace half of the magnets. Not sure but i think where the wires enter the magnets allow moisture to get in which corrodes the windings. Maybe vibration with all the miles they put on it.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Electric Brakes

I have the dexter nev-r-adjust 3500# kit with similar weight, but only have it on one axle and wish I went ahead and did both. Also, welded up the coupler like others have done. Three years and no problems. I do have the normal corrosion from lake water and if dipping in the salt water I'm not sure if I would recommend this setup. Would not recommend not having a dedicated break away battery. I have enough to worry about while getting the boat on the trailer and road ready and don't need another connection to worry about.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Electric Brakes

Yeah. I have never liked Surge brakes either.

How about using the boat battery as the the "Break-away" battery instead of a separate small gell-cell battery?

I breifly considered that but decided against having a wire flapping in the wind against my boat... a break away is cheap and worth it at 5 times the price not to have to mess with connecting and removing a wire to the boat batts every launch

eventually I plan an electric winch and will use a car batt mounted to the trailer for both when I get around to it

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Electric Brakes

I have a break away battery for my elec/hydraulic. I have one of those mini solar panels to keep it topped off when its in my driveway. The elec/hydraulic unit has a charging circuit to keep it topped off while I tow.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Electric Brakes

Electric brakes aren't no maintenance. On my parent's 5th wheel trailer with 3 axles, they have had to replace half of the magnets. Not sure but i think where the wires enter the magnets allow moisture to get in which corrodes the windings.

Tell me about it. I have electric on the horse trailer and surge disc on the boat. I spend far more in repairs and up keep on the horse trailer.

I have to replace the breakaway battery on a regular basis. I'm in a constant fight with rodents over the winter. For some reason they just love to chew on blue wires buried in frames.

Then there are those "sealed" brake magnets. "Sealed" is industry lingo for not repairable, must buy new. Don't get me started on brakes controllers. Just installed #3 since the truck was new.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Electric Brakes

thas funny... my brake controller is on it's 3rd truck now... err well it's 3rd truck since it was given to me used that is.... no clue how many total

 

[Lou C]

Re: Electric Brakes

I know that electric gives better control but have stuck with surge because its simple and as long as I change the wheel cylinders every 5 seasons or so they work just fine.

 

[Illinoid]

Re: Electric Brakes

i always try to connect the breakaway cable to something solid on the truck other than the hitch...if the hitch bolts fail the trailer brakes will engage.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Electric Brakes

I have a break away battery for my elec/hydraulic. I have one of those mini solar panels to keep it topped off when its in my driveway. The elec/hydraulic unit has a charging circuit to keep it topped off while I tow.

Hmm. Well, maybe I don't want wires flapping in the breeze as it were either.......



Those magnets only draw about 2-3A (ea) or so anyway

 

[alldodge]

Re: Electric Brakes

Ok,

I know this had probably been "beat to death".

Who has removed their surge drum brake system and replaced it with electric brakes (NOT Elec/Hyd disc....I already know about that stuff!.......I also know that some think water will short electronics........can't see how that can happen.........electric brake magnets are completely sealed....other than that, they have the same moving parts (actually less) as my current hyd drum brakes..... ..)

I currently have a 2 axle trailer, roughly 6000lb GVW and only one axle with hyd drum brakes.

The rear axle doesn't have brakes nor does it have a backing plate flange (so I'll have to weld one on)

I'm planning 2 complete sets of Dexter NEV-R-Adjust 10"x 2 1/2" brake sets (Break sets for those of you in Rio Linda:lol

I'll use the OEM 2005 F350 controller already on the truck.

Anyone else done this?


Cheers,


Rick
.

Yeah. I have never liked Surge brakes either.

How about using the boat battery as the the "Break-away" battery instead of a separate small gell-cell battery?

Removed surge off two axles my tri-axle and installed never adjust on all three, and really like it. Ran a 10 gauge wire for both ground and Brake lead. Soldered all connections, then sealed with liquid tape and wrapped with electrical tape.

Would not use battery from boat, and the break away battery setup isn't much. Used a junction box below to make it a clean looking install

Trailer Wiring Junction Box Spectro Accessories and Parts 38656

 

[Grandad]

Re: Electric Brakes

How about using the boat battery as the the "Break-away" battery instead of a separate small gell-cell battery?

That's exactly what I've done. I didn't want another battery that must be maintained and replaced. I am using a 7-pin receptacle on my factory tow packaged 2003 Explorer. I use the 12V+ pin to power a relay mounted within the boat. The 12 volts from the tow vehicle holds the relay on such that a set of normally closed contacts are held open. If the relay loses the 12 volts from the tow harness, the trailer brakes are applied. Yes, it does require an additional patchcord connection between the boat and the trailer, but that's been no problem. I have very long guides near the back of the trailer where I've added a 3-pin connector. The cord is permanently connected to the relay and stays coiled out of the way inside the boat until it's on the trailer. I've added diodes such that there no conflict between the tow vehicle and trailer's electrical systems.

The only issue I've yet to resolve is the fact that when the Explorer's ignition is switched off, the 12v feed to the trailer is lost, so the trailer brakes come on. I'm concerned about overheating the brake coils, so when I stop at a gas station or rest stop, I immediately unplug the patchcord. I'm sure there's a way to bypass the ignition with a 12V continuous supply, but I just haven't got a round 2-it. I might even add a diode protected line to the trailer brake lights so they'll also be applied if there's a breakaway. - Grandad

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Electric Brakes

The only issue I've yet to resolve is the fact that when the Explorer's ignition is switched off, the 12v feed to the trailer is lost, so the trailer brakes come on. I'm concerned about overheating the brake coils, so when I stop at a gas station or rest stop, I immediately unplug the patchcord. I'm sure there's a way to bypass the ignition with a 12V continuous supply, but I just haven't got a round 2-it. I might even add a diode protected line to the trailer brake lights so they'll also be applied if there's a breakaway. - Grandad

The magnets aren't going to get all that hot. 3 amps is only about 36w.

I wouldn't want continuous current though, that would eventually run the boat battery down if left overnight etc.

If you use a breakaway switch wired correctly, it wouldn't power the brake magnets unless the "pin" is pulled....

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Electric Brakes

I did the swap you described and love it. Three years and it's been excellent.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Electric Brakes

http://forums.iboats.com/trailers-towing/my-new-electric-trailer-brakes-590558.html

 

[bgc]

Re: Electric Brakes

Ok,

I know this had probably been "beat to death".

Who has removed their surge drum brake system and replaced it with electric brakes (NOT Elec/Hyd disc....I already know about that stuff!.......I also know that some think water will short electronics........can't see how that can happen.........electric brake magnets are completely sealed....other than that, they have the same moving parts (actually less) as my current hyd drum brakes..... ..)

I currently have a 2 axle trailer, roughly 6000lb GVW and only one axle with hyd drum brakes.

The rear axle doesn't have brakes nor does it have a backing plate flange (so I'll have to weld one on)

I'm planning 2 complete sets of Dexter NEV-R-Adjust 10"x 2 1/2" brake sets (Break sets for those of you in Rio Linda:lol

I'll use the OEM 2005 F350 controller already on the truck.

Anyone else done this?


Cheers,


Rick
.

I also changed the brakes to electric for use with our 05, F350......and then the injectors, EGR cooler(twice), head gaskets, HPOP, STC fitting, turbo.........

The trailer only goes into freshwater and has a battery powered breakaway. I have just used a cheep Harbor Freight Battery Maintainer to keep it up to par.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Electric Brakes

http://forums.iboats.com/trailers-towing/my-new-electric-trailer-brakes-590558.html

Kevin, thanks for that! It's exactly what I was looking for! I'm going to get a set of Dexter Nev-R-Adjust 3500lb brakes for both axles!

I also changed the brakes to electric for use with our 05, F350......and then the injectors, EGR cooler(twice), head gaskets, HPOP, STC fitting, turbo.........

The trailer only goes into freshwater and has a battery powered breakaway. I have just used a cheep Harbor Freight Battery Maintainer to keep it up to par.

Yeah. I know about the 6.0L 'problems'

Just bought this truck after an EXTENSIVE search for info on the 6.0L engine. It's only got 26,000 miles on it and I bought it from the original owner. It didn't look like he ever drove it or even sat in the seats! I plan to watch (Scanguage II) it pretty closely and probably do a newer updated oil cooler and either a "Bullet-Proof" EGR cooler (or a delete) ......NO HP increase though...... so I suspect I won't need to do the head gaskets/studs..