Surge Brakes or Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes Recommendation for a Trailer

Published 09/22/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes - 1,600 psi

(244)

$928.52

Dexter Zinc-Plated Brake Actuator w/ Drop - Disc - 2-5/16" Ball - Bolt On - 12,500 lbs

(21)

$681.90

Question:

I have a 20 yr old Titan Model 10 rusty coupler that I put a new master cylinder in last year when I converted to disc brakes. But the master cylinder seems to have seized up over the winter. So please tell me pros/cons of getting a replacement Titan 10 coupler or a plain Titan coupler and an electric/hydraulic adapter. My pickup has a brake controller for normal electric brakes.

asked by: Donald

Expert Reply:

Electric over hydraulic brake systems are basically the nicest setup around. You get the power of hydraulic brakes and the adjustability of electric. The only real cons are it will cost you more money to go this route as you will need an actuator as well as a new brake controller since most likely the one you have isn't compatible with EOH brake actuators.

Surge brakes are nice though as well. Simpler setup so fewer things to go wrong, but not quite as versatile and can be a hassle when trying to reverse the trailer. For a replacement model 10 you could go with the part # T4750600.

For an EOH actuator I would go with the Carlisle HydraStar Electric-Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes # HBA16 and then for a brake controller go with the P2 part # 90885. The Carlisle unit has proven to us to be the most reliable one on the market.

expert reply by: Jameson C