Re: Surge vs electric brakes
I think Bruce is right there is no way really to compare a straight surge system to an electric system because surge brakes will start to release as soon as the trailer slows down enough to relieve pressure on the actuator, whereas electric will apply as a function of how you have the controller set. Surge will apply only as hard as the vehicle brakes apply and only as long as it takes to slow the trailer. But on long down hills (surge's disadvantage) they can be applied too long causing overheating and fade.
Full electric brakes would not last here at all in salt water, I'm not even talking about the wiring I mean all the hardware inside the brake drum that is not even galvanized.
I have been able to make surge drums last by using:
zinc coated drums, do not rust up as bad
fully galvanized backing plates
starting with a new brake cluster, I remove the wheel cylinder, remove the dust boot, pack the area under the boot with marine grease, then seal the boot to the cylinder (aluminum) with high temp RTV (also seal the hole that the push rod comes through)
Next take OMC triple guard grease and pack the threads in the adjuster, and grease all the pivot points. This grease is so thick and holds up to salt water so well that my wheel cylinders last longer than 5 seasons although I usually replace them at that time and re-grease everything.
Here even Kodiak calipers seize up if you don't put grease around the caliper seal. And the rotors rust the same as drums unless you use the stainless version. I saw the rush to change over to disc brakes and honestly I still hear of plenty of problems with them in salt.
Lastly I use a screwdriver to actuate the brakes now and then over the winter and I think that helps to keep the cylinders from seizing because the piston is not in the same position all winter. Changing the brake fluid every 2-3 years is a good idea also to get any moisture out. I do that at 5 years when I change the wheel cylinders.
The drums I have do a good job of stopping the boat I have (single axle trailer, about 3700 lbs) even on the steep hills we have here. If I lived out west and towed in the mountains then yes for sure I'd have electric over hydraulic with stainless discs if on the coast.
