Powerboat Forums at SpeedWake banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

TRAILER BRAKES: Surge to Electric Conversion.

Jump to Latest
21 - 40 of 40 Posts
#22 ·
SHIP4BRAINS said:
Emergency brake?

What stops the trailer if it should come loose from the tow vehicle? With no power, she is just gonna keep right on rolling. Surge brake trailers have the "rip cord" or emergency brake that will engage if truck and trailer seperate.....
Click to expand...

That is what the small battery is for on the trailer that Donmand should have. If the trailer would come disconnected, a pin is pulled and the battery activates the brakes.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#23 ·
sunsation98 said:
how long did the process take you?

did you try it out yet?

If so how much better do you like it?

My snowmobile trailer is electric, and its nice when in bad weather, but never really had any thoughts of changing to electric brakes on my boat. but now I am considering it.
Click to expand...

DO IT!!! I would never own surge again!!!!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #28 ·
Zen_Nemo said:
You do have a brake controller in the cab of the truck don't ya? :D

They are fun to play with, my 5th wheel would stop my truck when I turned the gain up high. Almost never had to use the truck brakes.
Click to expand...
Yes. I have a trailer brake controller in my truck. I had to have it for my bigger trailer.
I don`t think it would be a good idea to use the trailer brakes alone to stop the truck and trailer though. They are only 10" diameter drums on the trailer. That is a LOT of weight for ONE set of drum brakes. You`ll wear them out quick.
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
wwwTOPDJcom said:
did you put the battery on for the required E brake system?
Click to expand...
I had to leave quickly yesterday and signed off. I forgot where this thread was going. Just now got back on.

I need to mention......YES, I have the little battery kit for the e-brake set up. I just haven`t mounted it yet. Nor have I changed out the trailer coupler on the tomgue. For that matter, the trailer is still sitting on jackstands in my shop !

I was joking with the e-brake comment. Kinda stirred things up.... :D :D :D

I`m going to build a little holder, inside the "V" of the tongue, to hold battery. It`s just one of those little motorcycle batteries. Is that what most applications have?

I was showing all of this to a buddy the other day. He told me that his trailer did not come with brakes..... :shocked:
He has a 21' bowrider with a V8, sitting on a tandem-axle trailer. My boat is 22'. Not sure what his boat weighs, but mine is listed at 3450 lbs dry plus the trailer. What is the weight in which you need brakes on a trailer.
My car trailer doesn`t have brakes either.
 
#30 ·
Depends on the state...The latest issue of Power Boat Mag has a "towing guide" that explains many of the state specific rules and regulations. I believe most of the states require brakes on a trailer that exceeds 2000-3000lbs. I was just looking at that last night.
 
#31 ·
I didn't know it was that simple.

Can someone explain how 1 power wire can determine how much pressure to put on the brakes?

The in truck controller determines how hard you press on teh brakes and then relays that info to the trailer. So is it an amperage thing? Meaning the harder you press the more voltage/amps it sends to the trailer brakes? I am dumb!

BTW, thanks DONMAN, I think I just found another project for this summer. :bigsmile:
 
#38 · (Edited)
speter4205 said:
I didn't know it was that simple.

Can someone explain how 1 power wire can determine how much pressure to put on the brakes?

The in truck controller determines how hard you press on teh brakes and then relays that info to the trailer. So is it an amperage thing? Meaning the harder you press the more voltage/amps it sends to the trailer brakes? I am dumb!

BTW, thanks DONMAN, I think I just found another project for this summer. :bigsmile:
Click to expand...
Tell shane about the brake controller!

"I am dumb! "

ME TOO
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
rogue2800 said:
My axles dont have the square 4 bolt backing plates. Soooo, I am going to make them and weld them on. Anybody ever done this?
Click to expand...
I`ve never done this, but I was at a trailer parts supply store near Fort Worth the other day and when I was discussing this electric brake conversion, they mentioned that they sell those square plates that weld to end of axle for mounting the brake backing plate to.
They are national chain, Quality Trailer Parts.
Might be cheaper to buy them than build them.

I can probably get you some set-back measurements. I bought new leaf springs and haven`t mounted my front axle yet. The hubs are not installed yet either, so would be easy to measure.
...Let me know. :)
 
21 - 40 of 40 Posts
About this Discussion
39 Replies
15 Participants
Last post:
DonMan
Powerboat Forums at SpeedWake
posts
921K
members
19K
Since
2002
A forum community dedicated to Powerboat owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Boating Discussions Powerquest News Articles