Options to Add Brakes to Personal Watercraft Trailer

Updated 10/25/2017 | Published 10/24/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Hydraulic Drum Brake Assembly - Uni-Servo - 7" - Right Hand - 2,500 lbs

(23)

$113.37

Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator - Drum - Zinc - 2" Ball - 7,000 lbs

(339)

$152.74

Question:

Can I put surge brakes on my pwc trailer so that I could take it downhill behind a Yamaha atv and if so what would it cost?

asked by: T. A

Expert Reply:

The parts needed to add hydraulic surge drum or disc brakes to a trailer are covered in the two linked articles, one for drum brakes and one for discs. Among the parts needed is a surge coupler that will compress under the pressure of the trailer's forward momentum and push hydraulic fluid through the brakes lines to the drum or disc brakes. These articles will give you a good sense of the scope of the project and its cost.

I linked our main page for surge couplers, both types, and your selection of a coupler and the hydraulic brake assemblies too needs to be based on the trailer axle weight rating. Couplers for disc brakes deliver higher fluid pressure so you need to select a drum surge coupler for drum brakes like kit # DM72VR.

More and more boat trailer makers are installing electric drum brakes rather than hydraulic since the cost is lower and the installation is much simpler. Despite water and electricity not mixing well this low-cost alternative is preferred by many. When backing a trailer with electric brakes into the water, users simply unplug the trailer connector to deactivate the brake circuit. I also linked an article that covers this option as well.

expert reply by: Adam R