ECeptor

My trailer turns 17yrs old this year and the brakes are shot. So, I need to upgrade and wanted to get everyones thoughts on the subject. It's a tandem axle trailer with a ~4,000lb boat.

Options and pros & cons:
- drum vs disk
* drum cheaper by ~10%
* disk has better performance
* disks look cooler
- surge vs electric
* surge works with any tow vehicle
* surge is what's on the trailer now
* surge less sensitive to being backed into the water (maybe)
* electric performs better (shorter stops)
* electric stops straighter (trailer drag set slightly higher than tow rig)
* electric backs up hills w/o issue
* electric requires me to add controller to my tow rig

What did I miss?

Also, who knows the legal requirements for boat trailer brakes in KS, OK and MO? I live in KS, the boat is tagged in OK and I plan to visit MO at least once per year. My brother works heavy construction in the KC area and they recently switched all their Bobcat trailers over to electric (from surge) for legal reasons (MDOT requirements, I assume).

Lastly, anyone have a hook up for parts? Here's the couple of sites I've found so far:
http://www.championtrailers.com/
http://www.kodiaktrailer.com/redswish/
http://www.easternmarine.com/

Bubbletop409

I would suggest switching over to disc, and keeping the surge. This is the setup I have under my boat. Three axle trailer with disc's on two axles. Stops great, discs handle constant submerging much better than drums, four years old now and no sign of rust. Mine has an electric solenoid plumbed in the line between the surge mechanism, and the discs, that is wired into the backup light circut. When you are in reverse, the solenoid prevents the brakes from being applied. Also has an emergency pin you can insert in the surge mechanism if you have an electrical issue in your backup light wiring. Not sure what your states legal requirements are, do a search on the DMV sites for the states in question.

rjcardinal

www.championtrailers.com

Get the stainless calipers and stainless rotors and a new surge coupler.

Ron

FloridianSon

I do believe that there way of thinking on the construction brakeing is if the trailer ever leaves the tow rig competely or comes off the hitch the battery on the trailer will lock up the brakes and bring it to a safe stop.No matter what I know it will leave some skid marks in more places the one.

US1 Fountain

iTrader: (1)

So should a hyd. system. Providing the breakaway cable is attached.

Surge Hyd. are the most universal, tow behind any vehicle system.

East Coast B

Disc brakes all the way and go with electric over hydraulic. If you don't go electric over hydraulic, as mentioned above, use the backup solenoid hooked up to your back up lights, I also added a 12v toggle switch to the solenoid which I mounted in the cab of my truck so I can override the backup lights if needed allowing me to turn the brakes off before I hit reverse. Example, if your driving down a hill and come to a stop, put it in reverse, the solenoid closes with back up lights, however your brakes are already on and you can't back up... so you want to turn your brakes off prior to coming to a stop when going down a hill and then wanting to back up.... just something to keep in mind... going to electric over hydraulic will eliminate this problem....