Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

[HT32BSX115]

Howdy all,

I know this question has been probably been asked.

I have been thinking about going to electric brakes for quite some time now. I know Dexter has a good brake system for NON "submersible" trailers. Fulton Performance is the only company that offers a "Marine" electric brake system.

http://www.fultonperformance.com/Brakes ... -27-08.pdf (open this link in a new "TAB")


I can not find anyone that has actually tried them though.


Anyone on here got them?


thanks/Rick

 

[MRS]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

How much are those things. I am getting ready to put electric on my trailer now. I have run regular eletric on my last trailer for about four years and no problems at all fresh water only.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

I don't know what they cost. I presume that they would be a little more than the standard Dexter trailer brakes.

I have read a little about other people using regular electric brakes on a boat trailer. I don't do salt water but I don't really want to be limited from going in salt once in a while.

 

[MRS]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

I did launch in the salton sea once three times saltier than the ocean. They have fresh water there to use when you retrive your boat flushed motor and rotors right there before leaving. Did not have any troubles...... I meant drums not rotors....

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

I did launch in the salton sea once three times saltier than the ocean. They have fresh water there to use when you retrive your boat flushed motor and rotors right there before leaving. Did not have any troubles...... I meant drums not rotors....

yeah, It's a bit salty there!

The Fultons are drum type. The only disc type electric are the electric over hydraulic systems. VERY expensive and IMHO cost FAR more than they are worth for what you get.

You also have to have the have the $500+ electric-hydraulic pump on your "tongue" too.... (easily removable for anyone that wants to steal it at the trailer parking lot)


There's nothing new about electric brakes (except maybe the (galvanized or "sharkskin" components)

and if you just be careful installing them and ensure that all electrical connections are properly sealed they'll work for years and you'll have a completely "cockpit controllable" trailer brake system.

I would just like to talk to someone that has the Fultons and has used them for a while.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

I have the electric over hydraulic with the Kodiak disc brakes. I love them and wouldn't go any other way.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

Well I'm sure not going to try to say that there's anything "wrong" with electric over hydraulic....... (if money is no "object') They're probably the best there is.

I would like to find someone actually using the Fultons. So far, they're the only game in town for "real" electric boat trailer brakes.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

I agree same can be said for a lot of things. People say the same thing to me regarding my DuoProp vs a single prop. Yes it costs more but I think its worth it.

Its all a trade off. I got tired of dealing with drum brakes every other year so I went with disc brakes. I wanted to also have the control like an electric brake system. I have the best of all worlds! It does have a cost I agree. Since I dunk my trailer in salt water, electric drum brakes to me are NOT an option.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

Well, if I don''t get any one who has actually used the Fultons, I might consider the electric/hydraulic type. There's no shortage of people who have used them and I have never heard any complaints...


Thanks,


Rick

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

Hi, If you really are in need of talking with some one that knows boat trailers, Then it might be worth giving this guy a call, He is one of the main guy's at UFP Trailer Buddy Products..... They are in San Marcos CA, here is there link.http://www.ufpnet.com/. PM sent also

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you need some technical advise or have questions just call me at 800-854-1905 ext 107 and I can help you... Thanks, Lyn O Dyer...UFP Trailer Buddy Products.....

 

[45Auto]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

This guy Jeff Nicholas has posted sevaral times about his experiences with electric boat trailer brakes:

http://www.geocities.com/jeff_nicholas/TrailerBrakes/TrailerBrakes.html

I'm thinking about going with a set on the trailer for my latest project boat - let us know if you find out anything more.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

You can bet, when the time comes...the surge brakes are comming off my boat trailer. As the link shows, the control and safety of electric brakes are ten fold. Our work trailer has electric brakes, and you can tell immediately if they are working or not. As well, being able to adjust them for the load you have on the fly is awesome. Also, he didn't mention it, but you need a safety switch and battery on the trailer that will activate the brakes if the trailer comes off the hitch.

Ian

 

[Lou C]

Re: Electric Marine Trailer Brakes

I read the article Jeff wrote on the Fulton electric brakes and basically he said they weren't working right and nothing could be done to get them to work right...so he replaced them with Dexter non marine electric brakes...
I think surge brakes work OK if you are not in hilly mountainous areas and have a big enough tow vehicle to outweight the boat by a comfortable margin...in hilly regions the electric control of brakes is probably well worth it...although it comes at an extra cost and more complexity....for me I do very limited towing and even plain old surge galvanized drums work fine because my boat stays on a mooring all season and the trailer only goes in salt about 4 times a year...so one set lasted 5 seasons then a wheel cyl leaked so I replaced the whole backing plate assembly ($108 a pair from Champion Trailers)....so they meet my needs at this time but if I were trailering long distances I'd have a whole new tandem trailer brakes on both axles..with respect to disc vs drums...on a purely surge system...drums do have the advantage of less drag and heat...because of the return springs...discs only the caliper piston boots to release the brakes...I think discs would be ideally suited to electric over hydraulic though....