Electric trailer brakes?

[jasonnb]

Anyone have any experience with these? I'm currently looking at the Fulton Ful-stop kit (formerly Amrad). The trailer is freshwater weekend use only. It seems that these would be better, less expensive, and easier to install since my truck is already wired for them. Any opinions? The towed weight is 3500-3800lbs behind my '99 F-150.

 

[Alrobot]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

I haven't seen too many electric boat trailers in my area, but I am saving up for a brake kit from chapion trailers. Check it out...<br /><br />www.championtrailers.com<br /><br />Al...

 

[jasonnb]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

Thanks Al, the Champion kit was my first choice until I started investigating Electric. Now it is my backup plan in case I can't find the electrics.

 

[DJ]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

jasonnb,<br /><br />Trailer Boats Magazine did a test on electrics a while back. They liked them. www.trailerboats.com<br /><br />Also, they have done some testing with electric/hydraulic and liked those too.<br /><br />One product that looks interesting is. Hydrastar from Carlisle.<br /><br />www.carlislebrake.com

 

[Alrobot]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

The only thing I would worry about on electric brakes is when they were submerged, ie. launching/recovering. I realize they are activated by a magnet, but if one of those wires was frayed when it was underwater, could there be problems???

 

[jasonnb]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

I talked to a local trailer guy and he said he has numerous customers that have standard style electrics on their boat trailers. No reported problems (Not alot of salt water in Tennessee....). He advises that the brakes be unplugged before getting dunked, but it usually won't hurt them if you forget. I have taken the plunge. I purchased some parts from local sources over the weekend and installed the backers/drums/break-away kit today. Took a couple hours of taking my time. Tomorrow morning I will wire and install the controller. I'll let everyone know how I like them if there is any interest.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

Regarding the Champion Trailer brakes, I have gone through gallons of brake fluid and not been able to bleed the air out of that system.<br /><br />(Yes, I read and re-read all the instructions).

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

Lark40, If you cannot get the air out of the system, I would try a power bleeder. These come in different types, sizes and prices. Using a pump is a much faster and cleaner and safer method then manually activating the trailer tongue especially for removing air from the brake fluid. <br /><br />The best priced one is the one I have; it fits on the end of my drill and works great when you get the correct direction going on the drill.(ie, keep the kids away from the drill.)<br />Make sure the pump lines are clear or see through.<br />Some Auto Parts stores also rent a better version then my drill type and they come complete with their own directions.<br /><br />This is how mine worked.<br />Attach the clear pump inlet hose to the bleeder screw (correctly sized to fit snugly on the bleeder) on the back of the wheel cylinder and the outlet hose into an old container like a margarine container or a clear jar. <br />Loosen the bleeder screw slightly (about 1/2 a turn) so that the fluid will flow with suction from the drill pump. <br />Make sure the trailer master cylinder is open and kept FULL with someone adding fluid BEFORE it gets LOW and sucks in more air. <br />Turn on the drill and observe the fluid to make sure it is flowing the right way and also watch for no more air bubbles in the suction tube. If the pump lines are not the see through type, then watch the fluid flowing into your catch container for NO more bubbles. <br />Close/tighten bleeder screw and then repeat process on the other side again making sure that the reservoir is kept FULL. <br />If you have multiple axles start at the back axle first.<br /><br />Good Luck,<br />Mike.

 

[beckerdg]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

Hey Big Al, that Champion trailer looks real good, a lot like the Loadmaster I bought a little over a year ago from these guys. <br /><br /> http://www.1stcoasttrailers.com/ <br /><br />I got a 22-24' 6000 lb trailer for less than Champion lists on their site, and that included surge disk brakes, torsion axles, aluminum guide ons, and a wheel jack instead of a stand.<br /> <br />All optional add-ons on the Champion. <br /><br />The only thing I missed out on from what I can see is the stainless U bolts. They offered them, but I was in a hurry and he did not have one set up in the size I needed. <br /><br />The owner was a great guy to deal with too. I called ahead on a trip to FL to see my folks and he met me on Thanksgiving morning so I could pick it up on the way down. Really nice folks from what I could tell.<br /><br />I have only had it for one trouble free year, but am real happy so far.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

JasonnB...<br />If you are still around, <br />How do you like the electric brakes you got from Champion?<br /><br />I'm wanting to change from surge to electric before this spring.<br /><br />Has anyone else done this with good luck?

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

A question on the electrics.<br /><br />What do they do for a breakaway setup?<br /><br />I used to have a 19' travel trailer with electrics and the breakaway was powered by the trailer battery.<br /><br />I need brakes for my boat and am just looking for info.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

Well... on my brothers 3axel flatbed trailer, he has a small battery box up front for the breakaway. Regular little 7ah Emergency light/ups 12v battery. With a 7 pin connector you can run a charging circuit back there to keep it up to snuff.

 

[boater4life]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

As a trailer manufacturer all we install is either surge or electric over hydraulic using Hydrastar from Carlisle on stainless steel disc brakes. This is the best fail-safe system available.<br /><br /> http://www.greatlakestrailers.com/ <br /><br />

 

[jasonnb]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

Yup, I'm still lurking around. I didn't get the electrics from champion. After talking to a trailer sales/service place, I bougt a controller and couple drums from him then stopped by my local tractor supply on the way home. The drums were $70 each, the controller was $75 for a decent one (my F-150 was pre-wired), and the brakes themselves were $80 for both wheels. I also used about 20' of 4 conductor wire and bought a breakaway kit complete with battery and charger from the tractor place. Took me less than 2 hours to have all installed. End result: I love them. I actually almost believe my full size SC truck stops faster with the 4k lb boat than without. <br /><br />Now, for the nitty gritty for those interested. I only use this rig in freshwater. The trailer guy said he has set up numerous boat trailers this way and has never had any problems/complaints. He said you should unplug them before backing in, but it's not absolutely necessary. The wiring for this set-up is a snap, two wires to each wheel and one is a ground. The power leads run through the break away and then convert the regular 4 prong plug to a 7 (plug available almost everywhere, including places like Wal-Mart). <br /><br />While I could stop the boat ok before brakes, it's much better now. I don't cringe before stopping If the brakes do rust or corrode in a couple years, I can stop by any trailer supply and completely replace them for $80. The only change I would make is I should have done them sooner.....<br /><br />I Know I'm rambling here, but let me know if I can answer any questions. I'm very please with this set up and there are no lines to bleed. (I hade bleeding brakes). If you are in freshwater I don't think you would regret it.<br /><br />As for the breakaway kit, it is simplya pin inserted into a spring loaded switch. The pin connects to the truck via a cable. If the pin gets pulled out, the switch closes and immediately applies the brakes using a small motorcyle type battery mounted on the trailer. The kit I used has a charger that automatically recharges the battery from the vehicle's power.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

http://www.carlislebrake.com/spec_hydrastar.html <br /><br />Hydrastar 800psi without remote (use regular brake controler...) $485<br /><br />Save da pennies and get my upgrade later this year.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

Couple more q's.<br /><br />So these are not special Marine Grade brakes your talking about? Just standard electric trailer brakes. Using a standard controller?<br /><br />This sounds too good to be true to me. I've got an 18' that is 2600 lbs (weighed almost full) that I don't legally have to have brakes on but I would like it as I don't feel safe pulling it with my camper on (94 HD 3/4 Ton GMC), so I haven't. Hydraulics seem expensive and harder to find. Local auto/farm supply place has all the electric parts and I need to buy a controller anyway for the trailer my wife wants me to buy so it would be much cheaper.<br /><br />Thanks for the info.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

I was emailing back and forth with the guy at champion trailers... the Galvanized electric brake sets they have are rated for marine use. <br /><br />my personal opinion is just keep them in fresh water,... unhook your trailer wire before dunking. The 10 minutes in the water is a lot less than the hours of rain that my other utility trailer gets

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

The 10 minutes launching won't be the problem. It's the hours I take getting the boat back on that I'm worried about <br /><br />Well, off to Princess Auto to see what they have in electrics. Thanks.

 

[jasonnb]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

Tackewasher, my brakes are not galvanized. My reasoning is that the shoes need replacing periodically and they aren't much cheaper than just buying a pair of new plate assemblies with new shoes. I bought mine for less that $80 a pair. As I said above, I really like them. I've never had trailer brakes, so I don't know how surge brakes react, but after 10 minutes of playing with these, I have them dialed in to where I feel no lag or clunk when I apply them. I figure they will last 3-4 years at least. Then I'd probably want to replace them anyway. I don't think I'd use this solution in salt, but they seem A-OK in fresh. If you want recomendations on an easy to use controller, check out the Tekonsha Envoy. I paid ~$70 and really like it. Fits in the sunglass pocke in my '99 F-150 and hooks up in 5 minutes witha ~$8 harness. Takes almost no time to levela nd set.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Electric trailer brakes?

I've got a brake controller already but am going to buy one of those fancy digital ones. They show the amp draw in big neon numbers and let you really tune your brakes well. I had one on a past truck and it made a world of difference pulling a travel trailer. <br /><br />Princess has a complete axle (spings, drums and everything) for $339 Cdn, but it takes 14" and I have 15".<br /><br />Gotta do some more looking but it is definatley much cheaper than hydraulic.