Forum Discussion
j-d
Apr 04, 2016Explorer II
That American really looks good. Features, weight, capacity, price as in What's Not To Like?
We have surge brakes on our boat trailers, and there's nothing "wrong" with them. On the boats, they have to be disabled to back, but dolly isn't backed with a load on it. All it takes is putting a pin in a hole in the actuator that keeps it from sliding to activate the master cylinder. AND of course to remember to take it out...
That said, I've towed with electric brakes, too. Fiver with F250, TT with SUV. Electric brakes, with the towing vehicle-mounted controller, ARE nicer than Surge. I'd consider an ordinary controller (Tekonsha for example) over a quickie-install one like the American site shows. More wiring but you're industry-standard when you're done.
Surge makes total sense for U-Haul where owners of different vehicles might rent a tow dolly. But if it's going to be one RV, towing one dolly, Go Electric! Hook up a Controller and it's all good. Less upkeep, too...
We have surge brakes on our boat trailers, and there's nothing "wrong" with them. On the boats, they have to be disabled to back, but dolly isn't backed with a load on it. All it takes is putting a pin in a hole in the actuator that keeps it from sliding to activate the master cylinder. AND of course to remember to take it out...
That said, I've towed with electric brakes, too. Fiver with F250, TT with SUV. Electric brakes, with the towing vehicle-mounted controller, ARE nicer than Surge. I'd consider an ordinary controller (Tekonsha for example) over a quickie-install one like the American site shows. More wiring but you're industry-standard when you're done.
Surge makes total sense for U-Haul where owners of different vehicles might rent a tow dolly. But if it's going to be one RV, towing one dolly, Go Electric! Hook up a Controller and it's all good. Less upkeep, too...
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