Can Surge Brake Actuator be Converted to Fixed Coupler for Electric Over Hydraulic Application

Updated 08/05/2019 | Published 08/04/2019

Question:

I purchased an electric over hydraulic brake actuator from etraier which I want to install on a boat trailer used with a boat I am buying. There is a problem finding a fixed coupler to replace the surge brake coupler. Is it OK to somehow modify the surge brake coupler permanently to use it as a fixed coupler ?? This boat and trailer in in Massachusetts and Im in Florida... so all this work is going to be done in September and I am trying to arrange to have everything prewired and mounts for everything premade ... the tongue coupler is a problem replacing easily. The trailer seems to have a non standard tongue and surge brake actuator. photo attached.

asked by: Henry S

Expert Reply:

It is actually pretty common for people to put some bolts through a surge brake actuator like what you have so that they can have a standard coupler. This would be the best solution for you aside from replacing the coupler entirely so you can use your HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes # HBA16.

The one thing you need to look out for when doing this is making sure that your hardware is strong enough so that you don't have to worry about it breaking while you're towing.

expert reply by: Jon G