Can Surge Brake Trailer with Atwood Actuator be Converted to Electric Over Hydraulic

Updated 07/04/2018 | Published 07/02/2018

Question:

Hi I have purchased a used 2003 jayco kiwi 18f that was originally sold with surge brakes. The surge coupler is in need of servicing since I can see the activator is out of place from the place where It presses the hydraulic plunger. Additionally the backup lock out is a slide lever that will not stay locked in place. This has the stock drum brakes and I am fine with that due to the weight of this even when fully loaded but am curious as to what is involved in converting to electric over hydraulic? Can the current coupler then be disabled if converted? We are just making the move from tenting to trailering and not sure how long we will stick with this unit. May change to a larger unit or a slide-in camper or even a fifth wheel so not going overboard on cost is a consideration. The tow vehicle is a diesel f250 that has a draw-tite activator II already installed. Thanks for any input you can provide. Robert Murphey

asked by: Robert M

Expert Reply:

You have the dreaded, no longer available Atwood surge coupler on your trailer. Since Atwood was bought out and the production was stopped on the actuators there are no replacement parts for your actuator. There's no easy way to lock that coupler out either. Best option would be to go with a tongue style coupler to replace what you have like the Titan part # T4853100.

I attached a help article on converting a trailer to electric over hydraulic brakes for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C