Howdy folks, I've been seriously considering a newer ultralight pop up like the Quicksilver 8 or 10 for my families camping needs. We are going to pull it with our Kia Sorento. My question is about surge brakes vs electric. I am very familiar with the electric brake system coming from my travel trailer experience. However, my only experience with surge brakes is with uhaul trailers. My experience has been a positive one. For surge brakes I like that the braking system is entirely built in to the trailer and any tv can pull the trailer and have trailer brakes. I don't like that I can't manually use the brake controller if a sway event happens. Also I don't like that I can't use sway control on the pup with surge brakes. Then again, I am not sure I will ever need these things with a properly loaded pop up trailer. So I am asking, how has your experience with surge brakes been? Thanks!Jeremiah

Pulled a boat with them once. They worked OK when you hit the brakes pretty hard. Some do need a pin when backing. However, IF the pup is really lite. You prolly don't need brakes on it anyway.

Problems occur backing up a slope or going down steep mountain grades.

Have had them on several trailers. Like others said backing up steep grades but never any other problems. They are very common on larger boat trailers. And I have pulled some very large ones. Not sure I would want them for full time travel put have pulled a couple coast to coast with no problems..

On newer trailers, especially with disc brakes, there is a look out that is/can be installed in the brake line to keep the brakes from actuating while backing, it is tied into the reverse light circuit. The biggest problem with surge brakes, the trailer has to be towed level for the best results. Trailer nose high, the brake action can be delayed and weak to not at all. Nose low, the brakes will activate prematurely and tend to slam brake. I have built, serviced, and towed many trailers with surge brakes. For the novice that tows every once in awhile, they are great.

I have surge brakes on my boat trailer. If given the choice, I would take electric over surge without any doubt. I don't have any problems backing up as I have the reverse solenoid installed that deactivates the brakes. I have had trouble though when towing down mountain passes where the brakes drag, heating up the wheel bearings.

Surge brakes vs electric | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

bikendan
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
first, i'm not aware of any newer popup having surge brakes. the ones that do have brakes, have electric ones. i don't think popups have had surge brakes for some time now. could be wrong.:@

and i'm also not aware of any towable RV having disc brakes, especially any popup. maybe some expensive ones do?:h
jerem0621
Explorer II
Nov 03, 2013
Ivylog wrote:
OP, glad you are concerned about safety, but brakes on a pop up? The biggest disadvantage of surge is they will burn your brakes up coming down a long grade. You also need to add some way of stopping them from working when backing up a hill...especially disk brakes.

Thanks! Yea, I'm a bit of a control freak for sure. Lol

Our tv is a smaller vehicle.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
skipnchar
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
If you're used to electric brakes you may not be happy with surge brakes. Not NEARLY as responsive to specific needs as electric.
Good luck / Skip
Ivylog
Explorer III
Nov 03, 2013
OP, glad you are concerned about safety, but brakes on a pop up? The biggest disadvantage of surge is they will burn your brakes up coming down a long grade. You also need to add some way of stopping them from working when backing up a hill...especially disk brakes.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
I have surge brakes on my boat trailer. If given the choice, I would take electric over surge without any doubt. I don't have any problems backing up as I have the reverse solenoid installed that deactivates the brakes. I have had trouble though when towing down mountain passes where the brakes drag, heating up the wheel bearings.
eHoefler
Explorer II
Nov 03, 2013
On newer trailers, especially with disc brakes, there is a look out that is/can be installed in the brake line to keep the brakes from actuating while backing, it is tied into the reverse light circuit. The biggest problem with surge brakes, the trailer has to be towed level for the best results. Trailer nose high, the brake action can be delayed and weak to not at all. Nose low, the brakes will activate prematurely and tend to slam brake. I have built, serviced, and towed many trailers with surge brakes. For the novice that tows every once in awhile, they are great.
snowdance
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
Have had them on several trailers. Like others said backing up steep grades but never any other problems. They are very common on larger boat trailers. And I have pulled some very large ones. Not sure I would want them for full time travel put have pulled a couple coast to coast with no problems..
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
Problems occur backing up a slope or going down steep mountain grades.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Nov 03, 2013
Pulled a boat with them once. They worked OK when you hit the brakes pretty hard. Some do need a pin when backing. However, IF the pup is really lite. You prolly don't need brakes on it anyway.

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Surge brakes vs electric

19 Replies

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