Surge versus Electric Brakes

[dasto]

I am just about ready to purchase an all aluminum car trailer that weighs 895 lbs. I will be using it to haul a 2700 lb car. The manufacturer will sell me the trailer with electric brakes or surge brakes. He insists that surge brakes are better for this use and less to worry about over time. He will however sell me either set-up. What should I do, I am a newbe to towing? Thanks for the feedback!

[willy212]

My opinion. Go electric brakes. I have pulled skidloaders that weigh 11000 lbs. on both types of trailers. If you go electric, you will have to get a brake controller. I didn't even know they still made surge brake trailers. Good luck.

[Webwader]

My boat trailer has surge brakes and my folding trailer has electric brakes. I think they both work well. Both trailers weigh close to the same, so its a good comparison. I would give the nod to the surge simply because of the simplicity, i.e. no controller necessary. The one caution would be if the trailer brakes are disc or drum and the build date on your RL is before 8/24/05. If the date is earlier and the trailer has disc brakes, you do not have the reverse wire necessary to lock out the brakes in reverse. If it is later, you would need to build or buy a 7-pin to 5-pin connector adapter.

[dasto]

Webwader,
This will be a new trailer. The brochure says 4 wheel hydraulic surge brakes with free backing feature. The manufacturer says because of the free backing feature only a standard 4 pin connection is required.

[Webwader]

Then I would recommend the surge brakes. Saves you buying and installing a controller and you can tow it with anything that has a trailer hitch.

[dasto]

Originally Posted by Webwader

Then I would recommend the surge brakes. Saves you buying and installing a controller and you can tow it with anything that has a trailer hitch.

Great point! That adds flexibility to some of the situations that might occur requiring a different tow vehicle.