Boat Trailer Brakes are usually Hydraulic Surge

Electric brakes do not make reliable boat trailer brakes. This is because electric trailer brakes work by an electro magnet that is energized from the tow vehicle’s brake controller. As the magnets mating surface in the brake drum begins to rust, it starts to loose its ability to apply enough force to activate the brakes properly.

Hydraulic surge brakes use the force of forward momentum in the trailer caused by rapid deceleration from the tow vehicle. This causes an actuator in the coupler of the trailer to compress and force fluid via small tubing to the brakes.

Surge brakes are composed of a hydraulic coupler, called an actuator, hydraulic brake tubing and small cylinders located in the backing plate assembly. When the trailer surges or pushes against the towing vehicle during a stop, the actuator telescopes and applies force to a master cylinder, which supplies hydraulic pressure to the small cylinders located in the brake backing plates. The cylinders expand and push the brake shoes outward against the brake drums creating the friction required to stop the wheel spin.

This system is unaffected by rust and corrosion and therefore works very well for boat trailer brakes. It’s only draw back is that since backing up simulates the forward momentum during stopping it can sometimes be difficult to back up, especially up a hill.

Return from Boat Trailer Brakes to Trailer Brakes