Acme EZE Tow Brake Problems
I bought the dolly new last year and I ordered it with surge brakes as I have had them before and never had an issue with them other than backing up. If fact I paid more for the surge brakes if I rem...
Forum Discussion
I just got off the phone with Dexter.
They told me that one of the problems with surge brake systems is that they can partially apply with downhill runs when you don't realize it.
This makes the brakes hot and can blow the seals on the "vault" system.
So Dexter will send me the parts so I can rebuild the seals and I will install the solenoid on the trailer.
But I will make a change to the install in that I will wire the solenoid to a switch on my dash of my motorhome so I can manually control when the brakes work on the trailer.
AZ has lots of elevations and hills and I simply cannot afford the safety risks towing to have the bearing lubrication seals blowing out after so few miles.
Dexter found my solution wiring wise quite interesting and said they had never considered that.
So in doing that I have the reliability of the surge brakes without the possible overheating problems blowing the seals.
By the way, Dexter did confirm that I cannot convert this axle system to normal electric brakes just as Acme had told me. I wish I had known this before I made my purchase and about the partial application of the brakes on the down hills without touching the brakes.
Also note for anyone considering one of the EZE Tow trailers. It has one of the highest capacity loads of any on the market and I needed that for my 4800# Pacifica (with wheelchair and electric loader installed) but the Pacifica is so low and wide that I only have about 1-1.5" of clearance on either side of the trailer when loaded.
Be aware that you should really measure the width of your load before you order to see if that will be a problem for you.
I think back to the days of wider tires and rims and think that if my van had anything other than stock tires and rims that it may not have fit on the trailer.
Think about it. You could spend more money on tires and rims for your vehicle than the trailer costs trying to make it fit.
They told me that one of the problems with surge brake systems is that they can partially apply with downhill runs when you don't realize it.
This makes the brakes hot and can blow the seals on the "vault" system.
So Dexter will send me the parts so I can rebuild the seals and I will install the solenoid on the trailer.
But I will make a change to the install in that I will wire the solenoid to a switch on my dash of my motorhome so I can manually control when the brakes work on the trailer.
AZ has lots of elevations and hills and I simply cannot afford the safety risks towing to have the bearing lubrication seals blowing out after so few miles.
Dexter found my solution wiring wise quite interesting and said they had never considered that.
So in doing that I have the reliability of the surge brakes without the possible overheating problems blowing the seals.
By the way, Dexter did confirm that I cannot convert this axle system to normal electric brakes just as Acme had told me. I wish I had known this before I made my purchase and about the partial application of the brakes on the down hills without touching the brakes.
Also note for anyone considering one of the EZE Tow trailers. It has one of the highest capacity loads of any on the market and I needed that for my 4800# Pacifica (with wheelchair and electric loader installed) but the Pacifica is so low and wide that I only have about 1-1.5" of clearance on either side of the trailer when loaded.
Be aware that you should really measure the width of your load before you order to see if that will be a problem for you.
I think back to the days of wider tires and rims and think that if my van had anything other than stock tires and rims that it may not have fit on the trailer.
Think about it. You could spend more money on tires and rims for your vehicle than the trailer costs trying to make it fit.
