Brakes.... Electric or Hydraulic (surge)

Al Mac · Dec 20, 2015

I am thinking about getting a trailer. It will be a 16 to 18 feet car or deck unit. Something for the older car, tractor, and just hauling anything.
I know if I have one family and close friends will want to use it from time to time. I have no issue with that but if the unit has electric breaks they might not have the break controller in their truck. I would not babysit what they are doing.
With the hydraulic brake trailers they just hook up and go.
I see that electric brake are more popular and most people don't lend their equipment out. Hydraulic brakes are on all the rental units so they must be reliable.

Your Thoughts

Al

CDN Farm Boy · Dec 20, 2015

I HATE surge brakes. Many (most?) States and provinces don't allow them any more. They rely 100% on the towing vehicle to be able to slow&stop to apply the braking force while with electric you have control at your fingertips. Sure, the convenience of being able to tow with any suitable vehicle is nice but personally, I don't think the loss of control and adjustability is worth it.

RedNeckRacin · Dec 20, 2015

I absolutely hate surge brakes. Get a good brake controller and don't mess with them. I'm wonder if your trailer is going to be long enough though. Measure your longest load and remember you need some length to adjust the weight distribution.

Looking4new · Dec 20, 2015

Electric brakes all the way! You have way more control over the trailer with the electrics than with surge.

Travelover · Dec 20, 2015

I like electric brakes for a number of reasons including the ability to stop sway by applying the trailer brakes only. You can get a wireless controller that fits on the trailer with master unit in that easily moves from truck to truck. https://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90250.html

ModMech · Dec 20, 2015

Electric.

Deere Dude · Dec 20, 2015

Get electric and let your relatives use your truck with the trailer.

BHD · Dec 20, 2015

I have never had electric brakes work on any thing worth a *****. stock trailers, goose necks, and so on, they will work for a few times and in a month they will no longer work, the first time I had real brakes were when I put surge hydraulic brakes on the stock trailer,

I replaced brakes, controllers and other a number of times and on different trucks.

JerryK · Dec 20, 2015

Surge brakes work great. You pull the trailer with just about any vehicle that can handle the weight. But they are not that great on ice or snow and are a pain to back up the trailer with. Electric brakes require your vehicle to have a brake controller installed, also work great, and are no problem to back up with. The electrics allow you to test and use the trailer brakes any time you want fairly easily. Long term, I started with the surge brakes, but finally converted my trailers over to electric. So, mark me down in the electric column....

[ I put self adjusting backing plate/brake assy's on them, and did a world class job of rewiring ... making sure things would last.... Main north south trailer wiring in conduit and everything tucked up good where it can't get into trouble.. ]