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-   -   Who is using electric brakes? (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/trucks-trailers-transportation/339646-who-using-electric-brakes.html)

Gimme Fuel 07-27-2016 10:03 AM


Originally Posted by Wasted Income (Post 4464140)
I never in 5 years unplugged my electric brakes before dunking the trailer. I won't be disconnecting either. I want brakes when backing down.

You know that it's just energizing an electro-magnet, right? It's not like you're going to short circuit anything by getting them wet while plugged in.

Provided you wired with good shrink splices and not scotch-locks like most are installed with on average trailers.

I converted my old trailer to electrics and will be converting my Manning tri-axle with chitty and sticky surge brakes in the spring. Love being able to just swap a backing plate, splice wires, adjust, and go. No more clunking, no more dragging and overheating bearings.

ezrizer 07-27-2016 02:37 PM

It's a shame there isn't a marine version of the electric brakes available, i.e. Stainless / Galv components, either way if you have to change them every couple of years they're cheap enough....

Sydwayz 07-27-2016 04:47 PM

One of the advantages of EoH over straight electric that you ought to unplug when you get to the ramp...
...is that you have braking in reverse, which is especially helpful on wet and/or steep ramps.

Once you hear and feel the front wheels of the tow vehicle starting to slide down a ramp; it's a very, VERY eerie feeling.
I've also seen truck brakes fail at the worst possible time, like on a boat ramp. If your trailer brakes are unplugged, not a good situation at all as you can't use the manual override.

Just my thoughts, take 'em or leave 'em.

ezrizer 07-27-2016 05:41 PM

I appreciate the thoughts. Although, I don't see much reason to unplug when backing down. I've never unplugged my trailer lights. It would seem like the magnet is not going to care if it's above or below water when it's energized. The problem I see is water eventually getting into either the magnet or the connections, the question is if/when and how often. If I can a 3-5 years out of a set of brakes I'm satisfied when considering the simplicity and cost. If I was trailering for a living I might have a different opinion and strongly consider the EOH option. Again, thanks for the input Sydwayz.

ICDEDPPL 07-28-2016 11:08 PM

Id rather have wiring then brake lines that leak, rust, or break. One leak and all the supposed advantages of EOH are out the window. I`ve never needed extra brakes backing down a ramp and I tow a heavy ass boat.
I like my electric brakes. Have never unplugged them at the ramp .Only downfall may be the heat in stop and go traffic. My temp gun always reads higher .

Wasted Income 07-29-2016 09:09 AM


Originally Posted by ICDEDPPL (Post 4464798)
I like my electric brakes. Have never unplugged them at the ramp .Only downfall may be the heat in stop and go traffic. My temp gun always reads higher .

And the beauty of that, is with electric brakes you can just turn down the gain :)

502ss 07-29-2016 10:49 AM


Originally Posted by Wasted Income (Post 4464918)
And the beauty of that, is with electric brakes you can just turn down the gain :)

Just an FYI - you can do the same with EOH

ICDEDPPL 08-02-2016 09:40 AM

I take it back, noticed this weekend only one wheel is braking. Thinking about EOH now :stooges:

ezrizer 08-02-2016 09:10 PM

How old are your electric brakes? You can probably replace all backing plate assemblies for $300 bucks. Or maybe just a handful of magnets for $125. EOH would be great but for me it's $1500ish to convert to discs and EOH. Just seems a bit off the mark for something that's certainly better but is it really worth it? I currently just have drums on one axle and the braking is good. Drums on both would be an improvement in and of itself which is why I was just thinking of going all electric. I'm just curious if replacing the magnets or backing plates is an annual thing or more or less?

Captain YARRR 08-03-2016 08:41 AM

If I were to do it all over again:

If I was having trailer issues, I'd sell the thing for a reasonable price. Buy a brand new one with EOH and call it a day. Seems to be the most reliable and cost effective way to go. You can spend a lot of money and time screwing with trailer issues.

But to answer your question ezrizer, depending on how big your boat is...absolutely worth it. I had EoH on my Sunsation Dominator trailer that I pulled with my F-150 EcoBoost. Adding those brakes took the braking from "good enough" to "do I have too much braking now?" It adds a huge degree of stability and confidence. The only time I wouldn't is if I was pulling a small boat that the truck's brakes are certainly plenty and the trailer at that point is a bonus.


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