surge brakes
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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surge brakes
Just found out my dad's trailer has surge brakes instead on electric ones. Are these gonna be alright towing? Trailer weighs 2640 lbs, and my load is 5400 lbs of fence. I was testing them, and on the wet flat road going about 25 mph they took about 10-15 feet ot kick in. Will the extra weight cause them to come on any sooner? Thanx
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
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From: USA
If the surge brakes are working right, they should be fine. I have towed car haulers with surge brakes and they are not bad. Since most surge brakes work on compression of the plunger that operates the master cyl on the trailer tongue, the truck's brakes need to be working good and able to initiate the stopping motion to activate the surge brake. Some delay in activation of the surge brake is normal. Depending on how sensitive the surge brake is, they will iether lock up the trailer wheels when the trailer is empty or they won't work at all during light braking, when empty. When loaded, they should work fine but will still have some delay. There might be an adjustment for that on the surge unit.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 3
From: Fairbanks, AK
Another question about surge brakes
I am looking at buying a used hydralic dump trailer. It is a Maxi-Dump model 610, a 13,800# GVWR trailer. Maxi-Dump 610 Trailer The trailer has surge brakes installed and I only have experience with electric brakes. The trailer can easily be overloaded since the material I will be hauling weighs about 3,300# per yard and the trailer holds 3.9 struck level. This means the load could potentially be greater than 12,870# and the trailer weighs 2,935# itself for a total of 15,805#. Obviously this is more than the trailer is rated for and more than my truck is rated to tow. I will try stay within the 12,500# that the truck is rated to tow.
Most of my loads will be short hauls, 1/4 mile or less, and at low speeds, 15 MPH or less. Some trips may be across town, say 16 miles round trip, at normal city speeds, 35-45 MPH. Will surge brake, assuming they are in good working order, perform as well as electric brakes? I can pick up this trailer for $5,000-$5,500 whereas a new 6814 model (longer and wider, but same GVWR) is $9,200 with electric brakes. I probably have about 40 - 60 hours of hauling to do in the next month or two, so it is not really for just ocassional use.
Most of my loads will be short hauls, 1/4 mile or less, and at low speeds, 15 MPH or less. Some trips may be across town, say 16 miles round trip, at normal city speeds, 35-45 MPH. Will surge brake, assuming they are in good working order, perform as well as electric brakes? I can pick up this trailer for $5,000-$5,500 whereas a new 6814 model (longer and wider, but same GVWR) is $9,200 with electric brakes. I probably have about 40 - 60 hours of hauling to do in the next month or two, so it is not really for just ocassional use.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 199
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Because you're looking at a dump trailer, I'm assuming you'll be backing up quite a bit with the trailer loader. The problem with that is that surge brakes tend to activate while backing up. Especially with a load, and double especially up a hill with a load. I think I've read somewhere that the newer models don't do this, but I'm not sure.
I have surge brakes on my trailer, and they do have a delay, esp. with light to no loads. Of course, the trailer is a '72 Zimmerman, so they probabaly need some adjusting. The next trailer I get will definatelt have electric brakes on them. I like the ability to control them more.
I have surge brakes on my trailer, and they do have a delay, esp. with light to no loads. Of course, the trailer is a '72 Zimmerman, so they probabaly need some adjusting. The next trailer I get will definatelt have electric brakes on them. I like the ability to control them more.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
I wouldn't worry about the brakes as long as they are working properly. I would make sure that your hitch receiver is rated high enough for that much of a load since it will be towed with a weight carrying hitch rather than a weight distributing setup. Both of these ratings should be on the receiver somewhere.
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CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Are there any steep hills where you'll be towing? The biggest problem with surge brakes (especially with a heavy trailer) is, if you have to brake while going downhill, they tend to stay engaged until you get to the bottom and can accelerate to release them. As for backing up, most surge actuators have a place to stick a screwdriver to lock-out the brakes; or use a solenoid lock-out that operates off your back-up lights.
Steve
Steve
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 3
From: Fairbanks, AK
I may definately want to pull the trailer before purchasing it. The seller even has a Mustang skidsteer loader, so he can fill it up and I can see how it handles loaded.
I currently use a pintle/ball hitch combo with the factory hitch and am thinking of installing a Draw Tite Titan 2.5" receiver (1,200# weight carring, 12,000# GTW) that way I don't have to use a weight distribution system.
There are some hills, but none too big in the areas I will be hauling. Sound like a pain to get out and lock-out the surge brakes before backing. This will have to be another feature I will have to check out while test driving.
I currently use a pintle/ball hitch combo with the factory hitch and am thinking of installing a Draw Tite Titan 2.5" receiver (1,200# weight carring, 12,000# GTW) that way I don't have to use a weight distribution system.
There are some hills, but none too big in the areas I will be hauling. Sound like a pain to get out and lock-out the surge brakes before backing. This will have to be another feature I will have to check out while test driving.
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