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Trailer Brakes

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Buzz
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/21/2003 : 19:45:42

Has anyone converted their surge brakes to electric brakes? How much did it cost....was it worth it?

Thanks for any info,
Anthony Rowley

Edited by - on

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2003 : 22:08:10

it would only be practical if you never ever launched your boat. Electric brakes don't do well after being imersed in water.

John V. Nin Bimash II
77 C25 sk/sr #153

Edited by - John V. on 05/21/2003 22:09:03

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SailormanCGA72
1st Mate

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77 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2003 : 02:02:12

About 10 years ago I changed from surge to electric. I have not put the trailer in salt water since making that change, and the brakes still work quite well. I just have to remember to disconnect the brakes prior to submerging them. I like having the ability to tap the brake and slow down any side to side swing of the trailer.

I did the conversion myself but it was in 1994 and since I have slept since then, I don't remember how much it cost.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2003 : 09:57:42

I have been contemplating this move myself. EZLoader quoted over the phone: $600 for materials to convert one axle, $1000 to do two, although a friend says his friend could do it for less than $500 for both axles. My truck is already set up with the controller. I think a new coupler is standard, but I don't know why the old surge (moveable) coupler wouldn't work. I am going to try to adjust my surge brakes again; I think they are just too loose right now and don't do much good. I adjusted them with no drag at all when wheels are spun; EZLoader told me they should be just 8-10 clicks from tight.

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

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Doug C.
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2003 : 15:37:25

I did this conversion in March. It was pretty straight forward. I bought the parts locally but could have gotten a better price from Champion.

I did 1 axle. Bought 2 new backing plate assemblies for $50 each, had the drums turned for $15 each (note some surge brake drums cannot be used for electric, I was lucky), bought the breakaway kit for $65. I forget what I paid for the 2 wire 10 gauge cable I used to connect it up but it was around $20 and the connector was $10 or so. I already had a brake controller in my truck, but they run around $150 for a good one. I welded the sliding hitch coupler so it is rigid now.

When these backing plates need replacement I will go with Champions galvanized assemblies. They are on page 35 of the catalog.
GEB10P 10" GALV ELECTRIC BRAKE- PAIR 30# $158.50 PR
www.championtrailers.com

I spoke to a number of people that had made the conversion and have had no problems at all. Water imersion apparently does not hurt the new units as long as you unplug before dunking. Mine are still working fine after 6 salt water dunks and 2 fresh water dunks.

I hauled my boat from Arizona to Florida roundtrip after the conversion. The electric brakes worked great. I will not go back to surge. If I have to replace the backing plate assemblies periodically it will be worth it.

Doug Cavin
1990 C25 TR/WK #6010
"Valkyrie"

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Buzz
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2003 : 17:26:47

Great info guys...thanks for the link Doug!

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2003 : 01:31:38

Doug: What state are you in? Did you check the laws? I have been told that here in Washington, state law requires a tandem axle trailer to have brakes on all four wheels, although, since my EZ Loader is a '78 model, I was also told that I may get by with a grandfather clause. I have not yet checked with the DMV because I still want to play with the surge brakes to see if I can get them to work more efficiently.

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

Doug C.
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2003 : 13:46:26

Arizona. Regs require brakes on trailers over 3000 lbs gross. All wheels for anything new over 6000 lbs gross. Breakaway controls are required. All must be capable of meeting performance criteria.

The regs say:
3. When it is operated on a highway a trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of three thousand pounds or more shall be equipped with brakes that are adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle and that are designed to either be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab or be of a type that operates automatically when the service brakes of the towing motor vehicle are applied. The brakes shall be designed and connected so that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle the brakes shall be automatically applied, except that brakes are not required on all wheels of a truck that is being towed as a semitrailer and that is being towed in a drive-away, tow-away operation, if the combination of vehicles is capable of complying with all state and federal brake performance requirements. Only those brakes on the vehicle being towed need to be operative as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the performance requirements.

4. A new motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, except a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle, sold in this state and operated on the highways shall be equipped with service brakes on all wheels of the vehicle, except that:

(a) A semitrailer or trailer with a gross weight of less than three thousand pounds need not be equipped with brakes.

(b) A semitrailer or trailer with a gross weight of less than six thousand pounds may have brakes only on all wheels of one axle.

(c) Three axle truck tractors need only be equipped with brakes on all wheels of the two rear axles.

The performance criteria is:
At all times, under all conditions of loading, on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material and on application of the service or foot brake, a motor vehicle or combination of motor drawn vehicles shall be capable of being stopped within the distances specified below or of being decelerated at a sustained rate corresponding to these distances:

Feet to stop Deceleration
from 20 miles in feet
per hour per second
Vehicles or combinations of vehicles
having brakes on all wheels 30 14
Vehicles or combinations of

vehicles not having brakes

on all wheels 40 10.7

Doug Cavin
1990 C25 TR/WK #6010
"Valkyrie"

Edited by - on

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