Forum Discussion

SDcampowneroper's avatar
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Jun 01, 2020

brakes on a double tow

We have been double towing 3500 / 5er/ MC trailer for many years all over the states and provinces that allow it, across some AHJs that frown on it without issue. The second trailer was light, short, under 1500# , so not required to have brakes.

Now we are entering another stage of life ( retiring ) where we will double tow our 20' i/o boat behind our 35' 5er. Its in 75' legal length and under 26k weight here in the hinterland but does require brakes on the heavier second.

I agree, I dont want that pushing us. The light weight toy trailer was noticable the 3500 # boat unacceptable for your safety and sensibly required by law to have brakes.

My issue is to wheather install a hyd. surge brake system that is independent of electric brake activation . Surge brakes only activate on deceleration of the tow vehicle, cannot anticipate or correct from grades in the same way an experienced driver does.
On the other hand, even braking on the light toy trailer would be great I can do that . I refer to my question of electric or surge hydraulic.
I have long experience with both types, but I fear voltage/ amp drops to the second unit would reduce braking to less than positive where surge braking is inertial.
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2020
    thanks everyone,
    I did go with the surge brakes Bought the coupler, drum/ hubs and backing plates locally A local NAPA shop can outfit us with 3/16 steel tubing and hoses to the brakes.
    Electric just did not seem as effective on a double tow with the length of wire , loss of V/A that the truck might not supply. and the complexity.
    Surge brake coupler and hyd. 10 " 2.25" dexter backing plates.
    Surge brakes sized and adjusted properly are idiot proof, respond only to the weight of the load, independent of all other factors.
    price wise very spendy ( hyd. backing pl. double, plus surge and hyd. lines and hoses) over electric by the time it is done. Even considering my time in my welding/ mech shop. . Cheap compared to the value of a life.
    The drum brakes also have a free backing feature, so no need to lock out the coupler when backing the trailer. We are not in salt water so the more professional air/ elec/ over hyd. discs are over the top, nolicable for us.
    I do make it a point to inspect pack and adjust regularly. My pappy tought me that down on the farm.
    Thanks, I was headed this way just wanted a couple other opinions with experience. The electric system just had too many points to fail or not deliver braking power.
  • Retired_JSO's avatar
    Retired_JSO
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2020
    Go with the surge brakes. You will never get the electric brakes timed to the fiver.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jun 01, 2020
    byronlj wrote:
    Boat=water=surge brakes.


    HAAAAAA

    That's a joke! Wet coming out of the water = NO BRAKES. Now add Salt water and you will get the below. YES I did flush out the drums every time.

    Got sick and tired of lousy brakes and spent the bIG $$$ and went with this and have EXCELENT brakes now and a 5 year 100k warranty on the wheel bearings that don't have to be touched.
    Added the EOH actuator and it is awesome.

    NEVER will I have any type of trailer with drums or surge again.



  • reluyog's avatar
    reluyog
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2020
    I pull double trailers from time to time, and installed a second brake controller for the second trailer. In my case it's air over electric, but I ran a pair of 10 gauge brake activation wires, and also a pair of 10 gauge for ground back. I can't remember the exact voltage loss, but it was very slight. Easy to lock up the second trailer in testing. Pulling a 36 foot 5th wheel as the first trailer. My lighting circuits for the second trailer are also independent from the 5th wheel, and the wiring including three cameras run in pvc conduit under the 5th.

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