After reading nearly every post in this Forum (some of them twice),I finally bought a 2016 KIA Soul with automatic transmission to tow behind our Renegade Villagio (Class B+/C-). I am now looking for a tow dolly. I found a used one on CL that sounds good but it has hydrolic or "surge" brakes. Back to the drawing board. Can I get some advice on this? lizzie

I don't own one but, if its an Acme Tow Dolly I would not hesitate to buy it, if it's in good condition and the price is fair.Check their website and compare the price of a new one against the used one.

It cannot be flat-towed as it has an automatic transmission. The used dolly is a towmaster. The price is right but I'm unsure about the surge brakes.

My dolly has surge brakes and they work fine. If the dolly tries to "push" the MH, the pressure will push on a brake "master cylinder" mounted on the hitch which will apply the brakes on the dolly. The harder you brake the MH, the more the dolly tries to push, and the more the surge brakes get applied.If you buy the used dolly, replace the brake fluid, bleed the brakes and check their adjustment just to be safe. Put about 7000 miles on mine this year, about half on surface roads, as opposed to interstate highways, with no problems.

x2 Surge Brakes are fine. Not just on dollies. Boat trailers, utility trailers, rental trailers, all have them.One nice thing, surge can be used with any tow vehicle. With electric, the tow vehicle has to be wired with a Brake Controller.

Brakes - Electric or Surge? | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2016
Can it be flat towed?
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
I don't own one but, if its an Acme Tow Dolly I would not hesitate to buy it, if it's in good condition and the price is fair.

Check their website and compare the price of a new one against the used one.
lizzie
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
It cannot be flat-towed as it has an automatic transmission. The used dolly is a towmaster. The price is right but I'm unsure about the surge brakes.
STBRetired
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
My dolly has surge brakes and they work fine. If the dolly tries to "push" the MH, the pressure will push on a brake "master cylinder" mounted on the hitch which will apply the brakes on the dolly. The harder you brake the MH, the more the dolly tries to push, and the more the surge brakes get applied.
If you buy the used dolly, replace the brake fluid, bleed the brakes and check their adjustment just to be safe. Put about 7000 miles on mine this year, about half on surface roads, as opposed to interstate highways, with no problems.
j-d
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2016
x2 Surge Brakes are fine. Not just on dollies. Boat trailers, utility trailers, rental trailers, all have them.

One nice thing, surge can be used with any tow vehicle. With electric, the tow vehicle has to be wired with a Brake Controller.
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
lizzie wrote:
It cannot be flat-towed as it has an automatic transmission. The used dolly is a towmaster. The price is right but I'm unsure about the surge brakes.

I would want the surge brakes. They're simple and effective. As mentioned, they're not just used for tow dolly. They have been around for a long time and work well.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
j-d wrote:

One nice thing, surge can be used with any tow vehicle. With electric, the tow vehicle has to be wired with a Brake Controller.

not if you buy the tekonsha wireless controller.

when I was having trouble locating the plug in under the dash of my Tacoma I almost resorted to exchanging mine for one. can switch between TVs easily.
bumpy
lizzie
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Many thanks for all the replies. I also watched a video on the internet that explained how the surge brakes work. I think I understand it now. lizzie
RJsfishin
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Surge brakes can't be beat, I wouldn't have anything else on a tow dolly, or on a boat trailer. The only time you mite want electric brakes is if you think you mite need manual control over the trailer brakes.
avan
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
I have surge brakes (BlueOx AutoStop) on my flat towed toad and they work great. Roadmaster's version of 4 down surge brakes is "ReadyBrake". Both have been around for years.