Surge vs electric brakes

[pointblank1000]

Just wondering which system is better based on peoples experience.
I have had both and I'm thinking maybe the electric brakes are better.

 

[Ttigger]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I prefer surge because any vehicle can tow the trailer. You don't have to worry about electric brake hookups.
We chose surge brakes for a high school band trailer I helped buy. We've had zero problems and a wide range of people can tow it.
For your boat, what happens if you lend it to your brother? If you are the only one towing with only one vehicle, then either works, but for versatility, surge is easier. They do require a tiny bit more maintenance, but not significant.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

If it's a boat that hits the salt water, hydraulic is what you want. You can go surge or electric/hydraulic.
I have heard never used it, that electric will survive fresh water use.
For real heavy boats I personally would go with electric/hydraulic.
Surge brakes can and will overheat on long down hill area's.

Really depends on your application and trailer weight.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I have surge on mine. It does what it should, not great but it works. I think I am going to buy the kit to add breaks to the 2nd axle. For what its worth my boat clocks in at 6,800 dry with a 1,200lbs trailer pluse fuel, my fat butt and gear im looking at about 9K

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I think I am going to buy the kit to add breaks to the 2nd axle

Amazing that your boat trailer only has brakes on one axle. Mine came the same way but mine weighs a lot less than yours. I added brakes to mine.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

...what happens if you lend it to your brother?

That's not a problem for me. Made that mistake once (brother in law), never will again. HA!

 

[alldodge]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

Have surge on my Rinker (3800 lb) tandem axle trailer and put disc to help. Had surge on my Formula (10,000 lb) tri-axle trailer and did not like them at all. Replaced the surge with electric and they are great, but I am also in fresh water. Would probably go to electric over hydraulic if I get another trailer but for now all is good.

Like previously mentioned, surge allows others to use without any hook ups, but IMO a direct link to the break peddle is far better then surge for safety. Only thing I would like better is air breaks but all the extra hardware needed would make in impractical.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I have electric/hydraulic and they are the best of both worlds.

Unless you have an integrated brake controller, there is no direct connection to the brake pedal as the controllers rely on inertia sensors to control the braking.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I've used both and both seem to work well. The one thing I noticed with surge brakes, if you just ease the pedal the tow vehicle seems to do most of the work. I found myself hitting the pedal a little harder to "engage" the trailer brakes then backing off after I felt the trailer brakes working.......

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

Chalk another one up for electric. I was looking at a full surge replacement job and electric was cheaper and enabled me to have more control. Love the fact that I have brakes backing down a ramp, can adjust at a flip of a wheel, and to me is much easier to work on and less to break. Moving from one car to another is a snap. I already have both of the harnesses ($10/ea) in both vehicles and simply take the controller and snap it into a bracket and connect the harness and your go to go.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I've had both and think electric are superior. They have been far less problematic and apply substantially more braking force than surge brakes, on my current boat trailer. The electric brake hardware on my Dexter axles has been far less affected by corrosion than the surge brakes were. I love that I can bleed my electric brakes with a paper clip

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I've had both and think electric are superior. They have been far less problematic and apply substantially more braking force than surge brakes, on my current boat trailer.

That's basically almost impossible to determine because surge brakes are self regulating and with electric you select the amount of gain you apply with your controller. For example, if you launch your boat with electric brakes, your tires will be skidding if you don't turn down the gain. With surge, it automatically compensates.

As far as corrosion is concerned. Electric brakes will always be drums. I would never own another drum brake in my life which is why I have Kodiak disc brakes with my electric/hydraulic set up.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

That's basically almost impossible to determine because surge brakes are self regulating and with electric you select the amount of gain you apply with your controller. For example, if you launch your boat with electric brakes, your tires will be skidding if you don't turn down the gain. With surge, it automatically compensates.

As far as corrosion is concerned. Electric brakes will always be drums. I would never own another drum brake in my life which is why I have Kodiak disc brakes with my electric/hydraulic set up.

I respectfully disagree: Electric break controllers if adjusted properly lock up should never happen. The setup with proportional controllers or straight gain control is to adjust so the wheels do not lock up when applying brakes. Adjust on a flat road surface and move slide or button for max gain. If wheels lock up back off and try again until this doesn't happen. Same adjustment for proportional type which uses a motion and level sensor. If the breaks lock up you can jack-knife in during emergency breaking.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

Having never had trailer brakes before, (except when in the semi), I decided to add brakes to my boat trailer this fall.

I don't "need" brakes, but the tow vehicle recommends them, and when I am fully loaded for a vacation, the load is 2400-2700#.
Most times, I am under 2000#. I know, not much.

But on downhills, the tow vehicle's brakes are taxed.

I went with electric w/integrated controller.

Easy install.
Never liked the feel of the surge brakes on my friends trailers.
Remember the inertia controller on my uncles rig, didn't like it.
Freshwater only.
THese are only "helper" brakes, or so I thought.

I only have 300 miles on them so far.
I absolutely love these things.
The peace of mind of a little more control and stopping power is a great feeling.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I respectfully disagree: Electric break controllers if adjusted properly lock up should never happen.

I don't think you understood what I was trying to convey. Once you launch your boat, meaning your boat trailer doesn't have a boat on it anymore, the towed weight decreases drastically. Wheels will skid if you don't lower the setting with an empty trailer.

All controllers that are not integrated by the vehicle manufacturer are proportional controllers. For example, all Tekonsha controllers are proportional controllers and rely on some sort of inertia measurement to adjust the braking voltage proportional to the gain setting that you select.

Most good brake controllers use inertia measurement chips and don't need to be level anymore.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I don't think you understood what I was trying to convey. Once you launch your boat, meaning your boat trailer doesn't have a boat on it anymore, the towed weight decreases drastically. Wheels will skid if you don't lower the setting with an empty trailer.

All controllers that are not integrated by the vehicle manufacturer are proportional controllers. For example, all Tekonsha controllers are proportional controllers and rely on some sort of inertia measurement to adjust the braking voltage proportional to the gain setting that you select.

Most good brake controllers use inertia measurement chips and don't need to be level anymore.

Good point and thanks for clarifying your point. I have a straight and an Odyssey. I have to change settings on the Odyssey and turn the gain down on the straight when off loaded.

 

[I`mNotMe]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

For my fresh water lakes, I've towed with both electric and surge brakes. If given a choice, I prefer full electric brakes. Like others, I don't like the feel of mechanical trigger surge brakes. And being electrical with brake controller inside the cabin, I can easily change brake behavior settings, tell if electric current flow is good (by lights on the brake controller) and if needed, I have a manual control as well.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I prefer electric. My boat trailer is still surge brakes. But with my dump trailer the electric to me is a must have. Some days I will have 4000 pounds in it and other days 12000 pounds in it. Being able to adjust the brakes to help slow the load without feeling it slam into the truck is a nice thing. Both types work, but I prefer the electric set-up. I think the reaction time on electric is much faster as well.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

That's basically almost impossible to determine because surge brakes are self regulating and with electric you select the amount of gain you apply with your controller.

I've done panic stops with both electric and surge brakes with the same boat/trailer/tow vehicle and can assure you that electric brakes slow me down with far more braking force. The brakes apply immediately, the stopping distances are shorter, and the G forces are higher during the stops with electric. I have the gain and boost set to max on my controller.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge vs electric brakes

I have the gain and boost set to max on my controller.

Of course they will if you do that.

Surge will only apply enough braking to stop the trailer. It can't by design supply more.

The problem with putting too much gain like you are doing may cause the trailer brakes to overheat if you are doing a lot of stopping on a down hill.