Converting Surge Brakes To Electric Brakes

[DuffMan]

We have a 40-ish foot boat trailer that we've adapted (i.e. welded up racks) to carry rowing shells. It's an Eagle triple axle trailer with surge brakes.

The surge brakes failed last year (i.e. system leak somewhere).

Instead of replacing the surge brake system, I'd like to retrofit electric brakes to the trailer, to make it more "comfortable" to tow with half-ton full-size pickups. Most of the weight is the trailer itself, since 10 shells together don't weigh as much as a typical 18-20 foot stern-drive runabout.

Does anybody have any experience with this? Is it just replacing the actuator system or is there more to it?

[Mclovin]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

We have a 40-ish foot boat trailer that we've adapted (i.e. welded up racks) to carry rowing shells. It's an Eagle triple axle trailer with surge brakes.

The surge brakes failed last year (i.e. system leak somewhere).

Instead of replacing the surge brake system, I'd like to retrofit electric brakes to the trailer, to make it more "comfortable" to tow with half-ton full-size pickups. Most of the weight is the trailer itself, since 10 shells together don't weigh as much as a typical 18-20 foot stern-drive runabout.

Does anybody have any experience with this? Is it just replacing the actuator system or is there more to it?

best way (only way) i know of would be to replace the entire backing plate and probably drum as well with an electric Unit.. TSC stocks this stuff plates are 100 a pair and i beleive the drums are close to that as well.. provided your spindle is the right size..
If you're on Pirate 4x4 PM Trailer guy he knows it all when it comes to trailers..

[Grandman]

Do some shopping on the backers , i bought new backers with the shoes and magnets on them for around 60 bucks per at a local truck and trailer store . TSC is high on them items .

[Mclovin]

Originally Posted by Grandman

Do some shopping on the backers , i bought new backers with the shoes and magnets on them for around 60 bucks per at a local truck and trailer store . TSC is high on them items .

Seen them on Ebay once and a while for 60-70 Buy it now as well.. TSC was local and conveinent for us..

[dune coon]

Originally Posted by Grandman

TSC is high on them items .

G-man is right. TSC does not have good prices on this, and they don't offer stuff for heavier-duty axles.


You say triple axle, so what's capacity on each ? 5K ?? how many lug?