Recommended Surge Brake Conversion to Electric Over Hydraulic System with Disc Brakes

Updated 07/12/2018 | Published 07/11/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Hydrastar Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator w/ Breakaway and 7-Way RV Harness - 1,600 psi

(96)

$998.37

4" Carbon Fiber Digital Caliper

(27)

$12.46

Question:

Hi, I have an Audi Q5 with a dealer installed factory hitch and controller. I understand from the Audi tech advisor that it is set up for electric brakes. It has a round 7 pin wiring harness. My trailer is a single axle Venture aluminum bunk trailer with surge drum brakes for my 20 center console boat. What would be your recommendation as to conversion - Straight electric brakes, or electric over hydraulic or something else? Should I switch from drum to disc at the same time? Thanks

asked by: Rob B

Helpful Expert Reply:

The best braking system you can have between your vehicle and your boat trailer is an Electric Over Hydraulic system with disc brakes. This will give you the best functional braking as well as the most controlled braking. If you are switching systems it is best to do it all at the same time to have compatible components.

If you want to go that route, I've attached an article to give you all the components needed as well as the reasoning. My recommendation is to start with the HydraStar Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator w/ Breakaway and 7-Way RV Harness - 1,600 psi # HS381-9067 which will give you the electric connections, the actuator, and the breakaway kit. I've attached some videos to assist.

To get you the correct disc brake hub/rotors and calipers, I will need to know more about your current axle. What I need is for you to pull one of your trailer hubs and look at the inner and outer bearing and seal for numbers. There will be a number printed into the face of each one. With that information and the number of wheel lugs, I can help you get the correct hubs.

If you can't find the numbers, with the hub off, measure the spindle using a digital caliper like # PTW80157 in the bearing and seal locations. Those precise measurements will allow me to assist without the bearing and seal numbers. I've attached a photo to assist with this.

expert reply by: Jason S