What kind of brakes do you have?

[lwbfl]

I see alot of post about electric brakes, not many about hydraulic surge brakes. For those of who tow, please choose your type braking system and post any advantages, disadvantages, and if you had any choice in the matter. Thanks!

[lwbfl]

I see alot of post about electric brakes, not many about hydraulic surge brakes. For those of who tow, please choose your type braking system and post any advantages, disadvantages, and if you had any choice in the matter. Thanks!

[lwbfl]

I'll begin. I have the surge brakes. I got my PUP from a family member and that's what came with it. After doing research on these systems, I decided I was glad to have this type. My reasons for preferring hydraulics over electric are:
1. Whatever I tow with, the brakes work! No need for a controller in each or moving from one vehicle to another.

2. Pretty much control themselves!

3. Provide gentle braking on down hill grades without using the TV brakes.

[mrschwarz]

You have pretty much identified the differences. I have uised both types and the surge brakes don't require any adjustment or maintance.

I prefer electric brakes because they can be adjusted (and even operated without using the TV brakes if you want).

One of the big disadvantages of surge brakes is backing the trailer up a hill. The weight of the trailer pushing on the hitch will apply the brakes. The electric brakes won't engage unless the brake lights are on.

[Joe-K]

The two types you've pretty well defined. Electric brakes are more common in dry applications, while surge brakes seem to be found more typically on smaller trailers and boat trailers.

Advantages of surge brakes are that they can be operated without a controller as you mention, and are more impervious to water immersion than electric brakes. One major disadvantage is the issue with backing up (most have a manual lockout) and that they can't be controlled from inside the tow vehicle.

When pulling my tandem axle boat trailer with surge brakes, I always wanted to downshift the tow vehicle when decending long hills. This downshifting allows engine compression to slow the tow vehicle and trailer on long grades instead of using the brakes. With the surge brakes however, the braking action created by downshifting caused the surge brakes to constantly be applied defeating the purpose of downshifting.

With electric brakes, downshifting is effective and better control of the two individual braking systems (tow vehicle and trailer) can be accomplished.

I think as trailer weights increase youi'll primarily find electric brakes as long as the axles don't need to be submerged as on a boat trailer.