trailer question
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
What brakes are you wanting to convert??? If you're talking about using some sort of air brakes, then I hope you have an air brake endorsement on your license, otherwise you're looking at some fines.
I would think the easiest conversion would be to convert the trailer to either surge or electric. In this case, surge might be the easier switch.
I would think the easiest conversion would be to convert the trailer to either surge or electric. In this case, surge might be the easier switch.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Pulling a 6,000 lb boat with surge breaks for the last several years and comparing it to a 4 place snowmobile trailer I have with electric breaks, convinced me electric is superior...beside the obvious adjustability.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 684
Likes: 2
From: Tucson, AZ
I had a 14k equipment trailer once (and only once) that had surge brakes and it was awful. Went up a gravelly dirt road once, it was pretty steep, but it certainly wasn't extreme, anyways I had to stop, which was pretty easy since I was going up hill, but I did not intend to go backwards. The trailer had other ideas. At the time I had a 4x4 DRW and it didn't matter. Pulled me about 100 yards down the hill where the road took a turn and fortunately hit a bank and stopped the rig. If it had been an outside corner the little mishap would have had a much nastier ending. Had to unload the trailer right there to get going again. Now the brakes would not have given the truck anymore traction to get started up the hill again, but I would not have been going backwards out of control.
A week later I ditched that trailer and will NEVER have a trailer with surge brakes again.
A week later I ditched that trailer and will NEVER have a trailer with surge brakes again.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
i tow a 5500 lbs boat that has surge brakes, it is only 3 months old. i have had nothing but problems with the brakes on it. first they leaked, then fixed, then leaked, they replaced the entire unit, then they just didnt work. (like they didnt bleed the brakes) actually it is in the shop as we speak
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
Check your states laws governing airbrakes. In Oregon, you do not need a CDL to drive a semi, or any thing with air brakes, unless you register it as over 26,000 pounds, or it is for commercial use. Personally, I would go electric if you're converting, otherwise, I'd keep the air brakes.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Colinator
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
4
Apr 22, 2002 06:54 PM
