Surge Brakes?

[WillowCreekStable]

I am having a custom trailer built for my business and have a question concerning surge brakes. It will be a two axle trailer under 10,000 lbs., used throughout N. America, so it has to conform to all codes. The builder is suggesting surge brakes as it will be used with several different vehicles, some not currently equipped with electric brake controllers. Sounds like a cheap solution but I understand surge brakes are prohibited in some instances? Is there an online guide to the applicable regulations that someone could point me to?

Thanks for your help!

[FisHn2DMax]

WillowCreekStable,

I'm looking into adding Surge brakes on a new boat & trailer for a 2500 lb boat that I'll pull behind my 5'er. I believe you can't have too much braking capacity! Hydraulic Surge brakes make sense for trailers that are submerged regularly where electric brake actuators would be damaged by repeated water submersion.

In your situation, your trailer is much larger and it doesn't sound as if it will be used for a boat. I would go with Electric! If you go with Surge brakes, you need consider the potential problems using Surge brakes with any type of weight distributing hitch with the trailer. The problem stems from the way most of the sway/weight distribution hitch arms are attached to the A arms of the trailer frame. They don't allow the hydraulic brake piston to activate or "plunge" forward properly at the coupler, thus making the surge brakes ineffective.

Secondly, Surge brakes are not as effective as "cab controlled, fine tuneable" electric brakes. Most states require trailers to have brakes for total weight over 3000Lb's. They also require a break away braking device to activate the trailer brakes if the trailer should come off the hitch.

I've seen 15,000 lb boats on trailers with Surge brakes, so it all comes down to how you plan to use the trailer. Electrics are preferred, but Surge brakes are far better than having none at all!

I would strongly Advise against anyone towing 10,000 lb trailer with a vehicle not equipped with weight distributing hitch and / or some form of sway control!


Good Luck!
;)

[kraemerf]

Equal-i-zer makes a weight distributing hitch that is compatible with surge brakes. They advertize in boating magazines or you can find them at www.equalizerhitch.com

[battmain]

Go over to one of the rv forums and post the question there...I had a link that showed the laws for each state, but can't find it now. I think it was www.irv2.com where I found the link.

[CAVdmax]

The real problem with surge brakes presents itself when towing over hilly terrain. On the down side of a hill, when using the grade braking feature of our trucks, the trailer brakes will also be activated since the surge actuator will have pressure on it. I installed an electric-over hydraulic actuator on my 12,000lbs tri-axle boat trailer that allows me to control the trailer's hydraulic disk brake system through my electric brake controller. Works like a charm!

[IndigoDually]

Grade braking will be enhanced by the surge brakes. As the trailer pushes toward the truck surge brakes will keep the trailer from pushing the truck down the hill.

John

[CAVdmax]

....until you get to the bottom of the hill and your trailer brakes are smoking.....

[HotShot]

My dad's FlowerPoke powered out pulling a shack up Crown Hill. Shack had surge brake, they aren't on when trailer is on downhill side of truck. About the time they breathed a sigh of relief the truck started sliding down hill. He made mom bail out. Trailer went over the edge and the frame high centered before it plunged down to the river. Except for the soiled shorts, no damage.

I don't mind towing smaller trailers with surge brakes but my truck weighs twice as much as anything I've towed.

[FirstDiesel]

Surge brakes are fine only for small trailers towed locally on level ground. Violate any of those conditions and you should be using something other than surge brakes. The other thing about them is they make it hard to backup on a hill as the brakes will apply themselves. There are special systems to avoid this but why bother. You have no control over the braking like you do with an electric brake system.

[HowieE]

Surge barkes work in one direction. Straight ahead. They will come on whem ever there is 100#s or greater force applied towards the rear by the towing truck. They are a problem backing up on any incline. The greater problem is when driving on any type of curve or switchback. As you go around a curve, even with the truck brakes on, you are extending the trailer tounge and thus releasing the trailer brakes just when you want them.
Yes I have used surge brakes and lost my truck brakes half way down coming off the SkyLine Drive due to switchbacks.
No way should you consider surge brakes on that size trailer.