Electric Brake Controversy

[Anacapafish]

OK Once again boaters! I see all kinds of threads on electric brakes on this site and others , however, when I go to get new trailer parts for my trailer, I get the-"you cant do that on a boat trailer" run-around.

So are electric brakes acceptable to use?

Once my boat is at the boatyard, it's only about 500 yards from the ramp and I intend on leaving it there.

Will they short out when they hit the water?

Please boaters, Ive posted several threads and some have not been answered in months. Thought I'd try it again. Thanks in advance.

Tight Lines!

 

[Quint4]

Okay here is my personal experience. Last year I removed the surge brakes from my trailer and installed electric brakes. I trailered every weekend last season (freshwater) and several times this season with flawless performance. They are much better than surge as I have much more control over them via the brake box in the cab and I have brakes while backing my 10k of boat and trailer down a steep ramp. Many said it would not work, they were wrong. They work perfectly. I took great care to waterproof all connections. I can not testify to saltwater usage performance. Here is a thread I did on my install.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7888&highlight=electric+brakes

 

[ChuckW]

I think you're on different paths. The OP, to me, is talking about electric brakes at the hub, vs you are talking about electric over hydraulic. Very different beasts.

I would never put electric brakes on a boat trailer, but that's me.

 

[Quint4]

I am not talking about electric over hydraulic....straight electric.

 

[douglee25]

I think they both have advantages/disadvantages.

1. Electric has the advantage when backing down the ramp. If your ramp is steep, this could come in handy. Just about any 3/4 ton truck though should be able to sufficiently control the largest trailerable on the market, but the electric does provide an advantage.

2. Surge has the advantage in that they are simple, reliable, bullet proof, etc. There's not much to go wrong. They usually either work or they don't. If they don't, it's usually pretty easy to fix.

Doug

 

[ChuckW]

Call me dense, but why is anyone bringing up surge brakes? Both electric and electric over hydraulic use an electric brake controller in the cab, they can be engaged backing down hill, etc. Electric brakes run electicty to the caliper, electric over hydraulic run electicity to the pump on the trailer pole, then hydraulic from there to the caliper.

Putting electric brakes in salt water will destroy them in no time. Electric over hydraulic has better stopping power and no connections to corrode when dunked.

 

[Anacapafish]

Thanks Quint4! I have read the attached post for weeks over and over with careful examination, from what I could see in the pics. When you refer to the sealing of all connections, what did you use? Also are your brake lights grounded to the trailer frame and if so is there any effect it will have on the brakes, sounds stupid but there are those that have posted concerns about the brake lights shorting out the brakes when it hits the water. Sorry to be pestering but this is my first "big" boat and I want to enjoy it without stressing. I purchased a brand new axle assembly, I'll be replacing the old one next week and I think we're ready to go. Thanks again

 

[Quint4]

Anacapafish,
I used heat shrink type butt connecters where possible although I primarily used silicone filled wire nuts. Lights are grounded to the frame as are brakes. The brake assemblys contain a magnet with two wire leads. They are sealed by design. You will get lots of opinions on this ( almost like a "what kind of oil should I use" question ).
I installed electric brakes on two axles for less than $300 ( including wire ). Elec/hyd are probably your best bet but will cost 3-4 times as much. I can take more pics of the install and post in a few days if you need.

 

[wish2fish]

OK Once again boaters! I see all kinds of threads on electric brakes on this site and others , however, when I go to get new trailer parts for my trailer, I get the-"you cant do that on a boat trailer" run-around.

So are electric brakes acceptable to use?

Once my boat is at the boatyard, it's only about 500 yards from the ramp and I intend on leaving it there.

Will they short out when they hit the water?

Please boaters, Ive posted several threads and some have not been answered in months. Thought I'd try it again. Thanks in advance.

Tight Lines!

I looked through your 24 posts and didn't see where you posted this here before. must have been another site! We all know you would have gotten a response here even if it was verbal abuse! :huh:

You post it last night and get several responses in the first 12 hours. should have come to CSR first!

 

[keokie]

I have many, many miles with boat trailer brakes in both fresh and saltwater. Here is what I found:

Surge disc do very well in all conditions.

Straight electric do very well in all conditions. I have run a set that has 7 years of fresh and salt water use. When I disassembled, the shoes were worn significantly, but there was no significant rust or corrosion. The trailer manufacturer made absolutely no attempt to seal anything.

Surge drums are only moderately effective, and not very reliable.

I'll stick with electric, surge disc, or electric over hydraulic disc. I'll not own surge drums again.