Changing brakes on load rite trailer

[Fritoguy]

Hello,
Has anyone changed the surge brake master cylinder and replaced it with electric over hydraulic? I have a Sea Ray 270 on a twin axle 30’ aluminum load rite with tie down surge master cylinder on disc brakes on front axle.
Is it possible? I have a trailer brake controller on my F150.
Thanks!

 

[dingbat]

Hello,
Has anyone changed the surge brake master cylinder and replaced it with electric over hydraulic? I have a Sea Ray 270 on a twin axle 30’ aluminum load rite with tie down surge master cylinder on disc brakes on front axle.
Is it possible? I have a trailer brake controller on my F150.
Thanks!

A popular, albeit expensive modification.

HYDRASTAR Surge Brake Conversion System 1,200 PSI #381-9066

Stock# 5426017The Hydrastar Marine Surge Brake Conversion Kit includes everything you will need to convert the outdated surge brake system to an electric over hydraulic trailer brake system. Simply wire the brake actuator (1,200 psi) with the hardware provided, insert the brake line in to the...

www.easternmarine.com

 

[alldodge]

I didn't change to E/H but did change my load rite from surge to Electric. Removed the master cylinder and welded the slide to the coupler, so it would not move.

The rest for yours would be as ding mentioned, its just higher cost

 

[pullin]

I have the same boat on a similar trailer. I changed my surge to electric because the surge components were rusting and applying very little braking.
I bought this kit for the wheels and replaced the original hubs on the axles. Warning, you'll need to be sure of your bolt pattern, this might not be the correct kit in your case.
I than bought this wiring kit so I could use the Bargman 7 wire connector already installed on my truck (the round one used for travel trailers and 5th wheels). This ensured my brake controller could access and apply the brakes either when I braked in the truck, or pushed the manual button in the cab.
Based on my experience, you'll need to run new (larger) wires to the brakes, and probably duplex (both wires to/from the Mictuning kit, grounding to the trailer didn't get enough current in my case).
I also bought an emergency disconnect switch and battery, but I can't remember where I got them (it apparently wasn't Amazon).

I don't tow it often, but pulled it 130 miles a few months ago. Everything works perfectly as far as I can tell (obviously I didn't test the emergency disconnect braking).

 

[poconojoe]

I also switched from surge to all electric on my single axle drum brake trailer.

I only run in fresh water, so I stayed with drum brakes.

Here are my reasons:
My master cylinder was full of rust.
I hate bleeding brakes.
Got tired of replacing slave cylinders.
I absolutely hated all that banging noise every time I stopped or started.
Electric over hydraulic was way too expensive for my budget.
My Silverado has the integrated brake controller which not only just applies the brakes, but fully integrates it with the computer during emergency situations.

I bought self adjusting drum brakes that were completely assembled on new back plates. They were an exact fit. My existing drums fit perfectly, so I saved some money there.

I had to add the battery breakaway kit which gets charged whenever it's connected to the truck, which is pretty cool.

I had to change to the round 7 pin connector/wiring. I bought the wiring that had the junction box for easy connection on the trailer side.

I had to run two wires from the junction box back to the wires on the new brakes. I fished them through the frame, back to the axle.

I was going to weld the sliding tongue, but I ran a large bolt through it instead.

I now have brakes that actually work, no banging noises whenever I start or stop and no brake fluid messes anymore.

 

[bruceb58]

I changed from surge to EOH many years agu using a BrakeRite Actuator. Works great. I actually transferred the system to my new boat trailer when I sold my old boat.

The only problem is that with my 2018 F-150 is that I had to run separate power out an Anderson connector since the 7 pin connector can't supply enough current.

I can show more photos if you would like.

I use disk brakes so converting to electric drum was not an option for me. I would never on purpose add drum brakes of any type to a trailer that is ever used in salt water. Personally, I hate drum brakes in general...even electric. I am thinking of adding EOH and disc brakes to my travel trailer...did I say I hate drum brakes?

If I had a trailer like the OP with brakes on only one axle, I would be adding brakes to the other axle especially on a 27' boat.

Bottom line, EOH with disc brakes is the best system you can have.

 

[poconojoe]

I think drum brakes are ok for fresh water use.
I only dip into fresh water and my original brakes were drums, so it was an easy swap.

Obviously disc brakes are superior in many ways.
So I guess it depends on your application.

 

[poconojoe]

What I find amazing is the factory installed brake controller in my Silverado.

From my truck's manual:
"The ITBC system is integrated with the vehicle's brake, anti-lock brake, and stabilitrak systems.
In trailering conditions that cause the vehicle's anti-lock brake or stabilitrak systems to activate, power sent to the trailer's brakes will be automatically adjusted to minimize trailer wheel lock-up. This does not imply that the trailer has stabilitrak".

Unfortunately, I don't think you'll get those safety features with an aftermarket brake controller. I could be wrong about that though.

 

[bruceb58]

What I find amazing is the factory installed brake controller in my Silverado.

From my truck's manual:
"The ITBC system is integrated with the vehicle's brake, anti-lock brake, and stabilitrak systems.
In trailering conditions that cause the vehicle's anti-lock brake or stabilitrak systems to activate, power sent to the trailer's brakes will be automatically adjusted to minimize trailer wheel lock-up. This does not imply that the trailer has stabilitrak".

Unfortunately, I don't think you'll get those safety features with an aftermarket brake controller. I could be wrong about that though.

Since the OP has a Ford(not sure of its age), his brake controller will work with most EOH units. Unfortunatly, Chevy integrated brake controllers used to have a hard time recognizing EOH units so you had to add a simulted magnet load onthe trailer. Not a big deal but something you have to be aware of. Hopefully GM has fixed this problem in the last number of years. The controller in my F-150 has an EOH mode.

 

[bruceb58]

Here are some pictures of my setup

Here is how I bolted my coupler from moving

Junction box wiring

EOH unit mounting

 

[poconojoe]

Just to mention, I have a similar junction box as in @bruceb58 second picture. Mine was wired for a travel trailer. Apparently a travel trailer needs a different wiring configuration. A few wires had to be switched around. So if you use one of these, get your meter out and check continuity.