Has anyone tried to install surge brakes on an AS?

[DougZ]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever converted their electric brakes over to hydraulic surge brakes like boat trailers and car haulers use. I have had excellent luck with my boat trailer and it is about the same total weight as my Overlander. Just curious.

[Jammer]

I've never seen a surge brake setup on any RV. Electric brakes with a good modern controller work considerably better than the best surge setup.

In general surge brakes are more costly to install and maintain. The only real advantage is that there's no need for a brake controller.

[A W Warn]

And, there is the disadvantage of surge brakes comming on when you try to back uphill.

[SteveH]

And, I don't know of a weight distribution hitch that will work well with surge brakes.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by DougZ

I was just wondering if anyone has ever converted their electric brakes over to hydraulic surge brakes like boat trailers and car haulers use. I have had excellent luck with my boat trailer and it is about the same total weight as my Overlander. Just curious.

You might want to look at this, especially the part about weight of trailer versus tow vehicle.

Laws for Surge Brakes for Trailers | eHow.com

Ken

[Jammer]

I think the old-school WD only setups, with chains holding up the bars, work OK. I don't believe there's a sway control system that's compatible, though, because they all rely in one way or another on the distance between the ball and the trailer frame being constant.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Surge brakes should never be used when towing a travel trailer.

Should a sudden sway issue start, there is absolutely no way that you can apply trailer brakes only, to stop the sway, when surge brakes are used. When electric or disc brakes are used, to apply trailer brakes only, to stop the sway, is a piece of cake.

Andy

[Action]

I believe surge brakes are required in Europe. Electric is banned. They are very simple and do not require adjustment of a controller. Maintence is simlar to the rear drum brakes on most typical vehicles.

Applying trailer brakes in a surge system to correct sway at speeds greater than 45 one takes their foot off the gas pedal and the surge brakes apply.

To prevent the brakes from applying in reverse one would want to insatll a solenoid. Trailer Disc Brake Electric Reverse Lock Out Solenoid - eBay (item 260318133561 end time Mar-08-11 12:37:10 PST)

Surge brakes are the preferred application in water uses. Because water and electric do not play well. Airstreams typically do not see that application.

I have towed a 28" boat and trailer weighing up to 7400 #s using surge brakes for the past 14 years with no issues. Towing boats in general with surge brakes since 1986. In my opinion there is no more or no less maintence in this system just different. I wouldn't change an existing system because of cost. My preference is for a hydrallic system as I do not care for electric actuated brakes. Airstream may have had similar thought process because they have gone to a hydrallic non-surge system for several years. It was too costly and the non-surge actuaction method not as reliable.

>>>>>>>>>Action

[A W Warn]

This statement (attached weblink) on brakes in UK (and rest of Europe) says electric brakes are allowed if automatic controlled (not manual like the old ones from 60's & 70's)
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehi...cancaravan.pdf