How To Choose The Correct Brakes For Your Trailer

Updated 05/16/2017 | Published 05/15/2017

Question:

are surge brakes or electric brakes better?

asked by: John B

Helpful Expert Reply:

Choosing the proper brakes is an essential task for safely towing a trailer. The best brake's to use will depend on the application in which you will be using them for.

Electric brakes are much simpler than surge brakes. They will also require the use of a brake controller mounted in the cab of your tow vehicle. Electric brakes use a magnet to activate the brake pads against the drum, whereas surge brakes are applied through the use of a pressure sensitive hydraulic cylinder pushing against the brake pad similar to your car's braking system. Generally speaking the maintenance procedures and cost are much less with an electric brake setup. However, if you are towing a boat trailer or wish to use disc brakes, then you may want to consider using a surge brake setup. Lastly you can use a combination of the two coined electric over hydraulic. If you need the stopping power of surge brakes but wish to benefit from the ease of use with electric brakes, then this option may be suitable for you.

I have attached a few articles that will tell you everything you need to use while adding electric or surge brakes to your trailer.

expert reply by: Conner L