Should I replace surge brakes with electric

[pckeen]

I've agreed to buy a boat, which will require a road trip. The current owner advises that the surge brakes are not functioning - requiring a rebuild of the master cylinder. My options are to repair the existing system, or replace the surge brakes with electric brakes. As this will be a trailered boat, the trailer will be going in the water. What's the most sensible choice?

 

[Leardriver]

I just replaced a surge coupler master cylinder. The new one was about $60 full retail at a local trailer repair shop. It took 20 minutes to replace, and about that long to bleed all 4 calipers. It is not the worst job ever, and I could probably do it faster the next time. Nothing to live in fear of.

 

[bruceb58]

You may need wheel cylinders at the same time as the master cylinder. In any case, way cheaper to repair what you have than to change out everything to electric.

 

[bassman284]

As already stated, it will be more expensive to change over to electric than to fix what you have. That said, I rent camper trailer with electric brakes once a year to go to the Indy 500. I had a Tektronics Primus proportional controller installed on my Jeep and It. Is. Fantastic. Surge brakes get the job done but if you have proportional electric you will smile every time you step on the brakes.

 

[redmen62]

If you don't mind spending the extra money, I'd for sure suggest going electric. There is a night and day difference when you go to electric, and I think you'll find there's no going back. The trailer more or less breaks itself

 

[bruceb58]

The trailer more or less breaks itself

That doesn't sound good.

BTW, a surge brake trailer brakes itself as well.

 

[thumpar]

I rebuild my surge system a couple years ago with 4 new backing plates, new actuator and new main brake line. If it was to do it again I would have done electric. It would have been about the same price.

 

[pckeen]

So if I replace brakes with electric brakes, is there a particular kind I need, that is safe to go in the water?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Nope. Electric brakes are safe to go in water. No different than dipping your trailer with the lights connected.