Forum Discussion

Bionic_Man's avatar
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013

Tandem Tow & Electric Brakes on 2nd Trailer?

Does anyone have experience towing tandem and using electric trailer brakes on the 2nd trailer?

My usual haul is my 32' fifthwheel followed by my 21' boat. My boat currently has surge brakes with discs on both axles. I'm having trouble with the brakes on the boat trailer and am considering going to electric, but I want to make sure it will work properly. I've spoken with a couple of folks that say no problem, and a couple that say that it will negatively effect both the 5er brakes as well as the boat trailer brakes. And, just to get it out of the way, I am happy with the integrated trailer brake controller on my RAM and I am not interested in changing from it.

What say the experts here?


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  • foneguy493's avatar
    foneguy493
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2013
    well i would not do that, because, electric brakes going into the water, or worse salt water is very bad !!! that is why you have surge brakes on all marine trailers, but if it were me i would go iin parellel or use 2 controllers. but still i reccomment avoiding electric brakes on your boat trailer
  • byronlj's avatar
    byronlj
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2013
    Fix your surge brakes. It will be cheaper and probably work better.
    Dave
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2013
    I'd want a second controller for the second trailer. That's the only way I'd do it. However, my 21' boat on a tandem axle trailer has disc brakes on only the front axle and stops great. Granted, I don't double tow because VA won't let me. I'd just get your boat trailer brakes fixed.
  • transamz9's avatar
    transamz9
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2013
    OP, I would think it would be hard to get the brakes set up right running from one controller. I believe I would add one just for the boat.

    What problems are you having with the surge brakes? Can't you just fix them? Mine have worked great for 4 years.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2013
    You'll need a hydraulic actuator for your boat trailer. I know you cannot parallel one of those with electric drum brakes because they use different signals. Also, some factory brake controllers are not compatible with some hydraulic actuators anyways.

    I would suggest adding a 2nd controller to the truck for the boat trailer. Should make setup easier too.

    Now, if you change your boat to electric drums, then you can run it all off one controller. But electric drums don't like being submerged, and hydraulic discs are much better anyways.
  • dbbls's avatar
    dbbls
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2013
    No experience with brakes on the second trailer, but most states have a length limit. Looks like you will exceed any limit I have seen. Limits generally range from 60 to 70 feet.

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