Brake Controllers

[Guma]

These are new to me so bare with my ignorance.

I would venture to guess we all have surge brakes on our boat trailers, so are brake controllers applicable for our setup?

[Joeprunc]

No they aren't applicable for surge brakes. But you can change your brakes to an electric brake system which you would use a brake controller.

[dingleberry]

I think I have read before that electric brakes for a boat trailer are generally a bad idea, since the intent of the trailer is to be regularly submerged.

If I recall correctly, though, an electric-to-hydraulic system could be setup, so that a brake controller would interface with it. But probably significantly costly to install.

Most of the time, a properly-working surge brake system does just fine. The one real drawback is the long steady downhill grade, which can apply the brakes during the decent.

[Guma]

Nah, no brake upgrades on the trailer. Just wanted to clarify my thinking...

Thanks!

[chadster2]

have you heard the song?.. Wolf creek pass coming down the other side?.. been there done that, with surge brakes... no fun.... it went almost like the song. we cought it just in time.....

[Sharkbit]

Im not totally convinced of the electric brake theory. Fulton makes marine grade electric brakes, but they are expensive. I ordered a set of cheap-o electrics rated for my boat this week. I will be swapping them Friday. I will keep you guys posted on how it works out.

[River Runner]

Im not totally convinced of the electric brake theory. Fulton makes marine grade electric brakes, but they are expensive. I ordered a set of cheap-o electrics rated for my boat this week. I will be swapping them Friday. I will keep you guys posted on how it works out.

Agree. They build components specifically for marine application and are pretty reliable now.

Only thing is you need to add a battery to the trailer in case of breakaway so that the brakes will activate.

[Guma]

Shark - Do you have a tandem axle trailer? If so, are you adding brakes to both axles or one?

Curious now what kit you got, mind sharing?

[Sharkbit]

Yes, I have a tandem axle, but since the brakes are only setup for 1 axle that is all I went with. I can PM you the specs but I got everything, including breakaway box, for less than 200.00. I installed the brakes tonight, but I still have to wire them. I will let you know how they work. The magnets look to be potted very well, so as long as I solder them and use good shrink tubing I should be fine the the electrical. Should be finished up with it friday and it will be ready for testing.

[Sharkbit]

So I got the brakes finished up Friday night, and Tested the trailer today. Also took the boat out for its first run of the season. I went from having no surge brakes (bad controller and the line was busted on the left side of trailer, to having good brakes, and it is very noticeable. I think the best part is when you are backing you can have brakes but if you are going up a slight incline you are free in reverse without unlatching the surge controller. I unhooked the brakes when I backed the boat in, but on the way home everything worked as it should. I may have to readjust the brakes after a few trips but thats no big deal considering how much better they are. I can take pics if anyone is interested!

[Iwndr]

have you heard the song?.. Wolf creek pass coming down the other side?.. been there done that, with surge brakes... no fun.... it went almost like the song. we cought it just in time.....

I've added nickels into the slide of the surge brake actuators and secured them with duct tape before when going down long steep grades, It will keep them from applying full brake pressure and burning up your brakes. I then take them out for normal trailering conditions.

[Guma]

Pics or it didn't happen... Would have been a great opportunity for a write up on installing trailers brakes if you took pics during the install.

[Iwndr]

I'll work on that for you tomorrow Guma

[Iwndr]

I am pretty sure it happened though

[Iwndr]

Guma, here is the brake travel reduction device I was talking about