surge vs. e.o.h. brakes??
 

I have owned several boats with surge brakes, I currently have a 29' powerquest with them. Whats this talk about e.o.h? what is this and how does it work. I didn't think they used electric actuators in boat trailers??

Electric over hydraulic. Uses the trailers existing hydraulic brake system but replaces the surge coupler with a solid coupler and uses a brake controller you install in your truck (or if you have a factory one). Takes out the bang/slam of the surge.

As stated above. An electric pump (EOH) is mounted on the tongue. A braking signal is sent from the truck cab controller to the EOH pump, which in turns supplies hyd press to your brakes.

It also means no more brakes smoking or catching on fire when going down long/steep grades like you find in West Virginia or Virginia, for us midwest/east coast folks. Been there, done that once on I-77 south ... well, at least the brakes smoking, part. Luckily, no fire.

wow, might check into this. My surge brakes work just fine, but does the truck wiring harness need to be changed to get the signal from the power booster. can you lock the trailer brakes with this system while sitting on the ramp??

Most trucks are wired for electric brakes. Some require the relays and fuses to be plugged in. Depends on yr and make of ttruck. Still need the controller inside and to be plugged into teh wiring harness under dash, unless a new truck that has it built in. Do you have the larger round 7 pin plug at the bumper?
Yes, you can lock the trailer brakes at any time using the manual override lever. But just pushing on the brake pedal is more than enough. I assume you aren't meaning to lock the brakes up and then get out of truck?? With EOH, ANY time you push on the brake pedal, your trailer brakes are braking. Even if sitting still.
If you ever had your front wheels skidding while backing down the ramp, you won't with EOH. So many more benefits of EOH over surge.

Much better system. However a lot more money. Also requires a small battery to power the system if the trailer is disengaged from the tow vehicle.

EOH is hands down the best system out there. However, I have had great luck with standard electric brakes. I have used them in a fresh water marine environment for a long time with no issues. The braking action is superb, and the cost to convert is about 25% of a EOH setup.

i have a 99 f250 superduty 7.3 diesel and do use the big round pin. Yes i mean lock the brakes on the trailer and winch up the boat. My e brake wil not hold the boat, but if i can lock the trailer too that would be great

cool..did some on line research, not that expensive. looking at a titan..brakerite. 1500psi actuator. Can anyone recomend any certain brand. Can i lock the trailer brakes on the ramp and get out of the truck for unloading/loading?? With the trucks e brake applied of course!

Brake-Rite. A great system all plug and play. If you put something on the brake peddle it will hold thttp://www.trailerpart.com/brakerite.htmhe trailer also.
The SD system it the best!

did mine,best money spent,
I stayed with the drum brakes and went with the brakerite actuator,Im sure disks would be better but the drum set up works great,

So how much does it cost to convert surge to eoh?

I went with the Brake Rite unit. So far it has been great. I also went with the MaxBrake controller. More costly than a standard controller, but for a reason. :) BTW, not all standard electric controllers will work. Basically the cheaper $50 ones won't. I had a 2000 250, it was prewired for electric trailers, as yours does since you have the 7pin plug) but Ford didn't actually plug in the relay and fuse in the fuse box in engine compartment. Instead, they were in a bag in the glovebox, along with a pigtail to plug the controller into the wire harness. Otherwise, the truck is factory wired up to the back.

Another benefit is your trailer won't push your truck on wet pavements do to lack of traction at the rear wheels.

Remember that Surge brakes only work when the truck and trailer are in a straight line. If your truck/trailer are angled, the trailer will push the back end of the truck around into a jackknife.

You will probably have $1000 invested including a Brake Rite actuator and break away kit; and a Max Brake controller.

I am curious. My trailer has both! How many trailers are manufactured with surge and electric together? I personally like the idea of having surge brakes as well to backup the electric.

I would also think that for safety reasons if you only have electric that if the trailer lost power it would cause the brakes to be applied. Is this the case?

How could it have both??
Are you talking about the reverse lock out solenoid?

My trailer has surge and electric! It also has the lockout solenoid. You will not backup my trailer without power unless you place a 2X4 in the coupling to isolate the surge system. Yes I can use the brake controller in my F250 to apply the trailer brakes.

This is why I asked my question! I have no doubt I have both!

you got any pictures?

How is that possible, unless someone put hyd brakes one 1 axle, and electric on the other.

I'd like to see pics also.

LOL! I knew you would ask for pics. I'll dig around on the web and see what I can find. My boats in the shop for winter TLC 60 miles away at the moment. It's a triple axle Hi Tech Marine made in Fl. http://www.aluminumboattrailer.com/

any pics yet?

Ah...got me off my lazy butt! I could only post pics in the bilge so i started a thread and posted pics here: http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/b...ml#post3285665

I don't know if you can tell anything from the pics. This has me very curious as I could not find anything about having both systems on the web. All I know is my trailer does have surge brakes and I can apply my brakes with the controller in my 07 F-250!

Pachanga, these are your pics... just helping you out!

your trailer has surge disc brakes not EOH,
not sure how your controller inside the truck activates the trailer brakes.

I am wondering if it is in the master cylinder? I just tried to call HiTech but they are closed for the holidays. The guys at my boat shop also told me I would have surge brakes if my electric didn't work. Was having an issue with the pigtail loosing power to the trailer.

What is this? Looks like it could be an EOH box...

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...8865-surge.jpg

LOL! That's a bag of grass seed in a bucket behind the trailer! I have to be honest....I am starting to doubt myself. I also can't see any way my tailer has both. I am all but tempted to go hook up and see if my tailer does stop with the brake controller. I also wonder if perhaps the controller could apply the truck brakes?? Dang...I am certain I have tested the brakes with the controller...I am befumbled!

No, you load/unload away from the ramp so as to not tie it up.

:lolhit:

HAHAHAHA :lolhit: I see it now... I'd say you have surge brakes...

you have surge brakes, there is no electric pump located any where there to push brake fluid, it is all done as the tounge moves when you slow down. the only electric on your trailer is for your lights, sorry.

:D It's new years so I feel like being a smart ass! It does have the electric reverse lockout solenoid!

That being said...I do agree...I don't have electric....never looked close before and my trailer wasn't home when this thread began.

Question about upgrading to EOH from surge.

What is the best way to handle the surge hitch? Is there a way to bolt it to prevent the movement or will I have to install a new hitch?

This is the only picture I have of it right now. It is a Heritage Trailer and the surge is built into the trailer.

When I did mine, I drilled 3 5/8" holes and installed grade 8 bolts to lock the coupler. Just make sure you pick an area that has plenty of metal surrounding the holes.

Had mine removed cut off and welded

Thanks for the replies and tips!

on my myco, once the surge unit was taken off. they make a square bar that slid right in and used the sa,e bolts to secure it. very simple swap.

Thank you, I will contact Heritage and see if they have something like that. That is a good idea.

Getting ready to install the EOH unit this weekend.

The kit came with lines but it appears there is extra line looping back towards the end of the trailer. How hard would it be to pull the metal line towards the front for the install on the new system. I do not want to damage the line or kink it. Any suggestions? Thanks!