Forum Discussion

cruz-in's avatar
cruz-in
Explorer
Nov 22, 2017

Surge Brakes on Tow Dolly with Exhaust Brake on MH

Hi Team,

Plan to buy an Acme EZE Tow Dolly.

A good bit of our driving will in/around the Sierras. While folks seem to use surge brake equipped dollies with no issues in the mountains, I struggle with getting surge brakes on the Tow Dolly. Our Monaco motorhome has a pretty great Exhaust Brake and I am concerned that (on extended downgrades) the surge brakes will be activated, over-heat, and wear prematurely.

Acme has much better features on the sure brake model (Disk brakes sealed hubs, etc.) than their electric brake model. They feel confident that the surge brake model is the best option.

Looking for a bit of confirmation that indeed a surge brake equipped dolly (vice electric brakes) is a good option for towing in the Sierras.

Thanks in advance for your inputs.
Dan
Class A
  • Dog_Trainer's avatar
    Dog_Trainer
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2017
    Another surge barake user with my Previous DP maybe 80,000 miles towing and no issue with premature wear. Now the new MH no Xbrake but tow haul downshift tranny I have an Acme dolly towing a Chrysler 200 only across the smokies so far and no issue.
  • G7ARYM's avatar
    G7ARYM
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2017
    A long time ago I received a notice from Demco about a free modification for people with diesel rigs so they don’t drag the brakes down long grades. I never bothered with it and after 50k miles towing behind a diesel Kodiak with transmission braking there is no unexpected wear. I just had it checked and the pads did not need replacing and have never been replaced. All of our miles are in the west from SoCal north and through the Rockies.
  • nevadanick's avatar
    nevadanick
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2017
    My boattrailer has surge brakes and i tow in the Sierra's all the time without issue. With my pickupand mh, Both have ex brakes.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Nov 23, 2017
    Finally someone else that has used a trailer with surge brakes that knows they will stay applied all the way down the mountain. How much and how hot can't be determined until you do it...to many variables. From my experience they do not work well in mountains...over heat. On fairly flat ground where after being applied you accelerate and they release they work well.

    OP, since it's easy to not have your brake lights come on when using your exhaust brake (my preferred option) I would go electric BUT getting the brake controller wired can be challenging. I ended up mounting mine in the engine compartment as everything you need is right there. Once you get the gain set (amount of braking) you do not need to change.
  • RonaldNC's avatar
    RonaldNC
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2017
    I use an Acme EZE Tow Dolly with the surge brakes. The surge brakes will activate when you slow for any reason, whether it's the service brakes, exhaust brake or down-shifting. It doesn't give me any problems with the mountains around my home in the Smoky Mountains. However, when you are planning on going down a long descent, you can insert the supplied key to lock out the surge brakes.

    It's not a huge concern, even if you don't lock them out. The brakes are well ventilated, so they cool well. Also, the brake pads are extremely easy to replace if you wear them out.
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2017
    cruz-in wrote:
    Hi Team,

    Plan to buy an Acme EZE Tow Dolly.

    A good bit of our driving will in/around the Sierras. While folks seem to use surge brake equipped dollies with no issues in the mountains, I struggle with getting surge brakes on the Tow Dolly. Our Monaco motorhome has a pretty great Exhaust Brake and I am concerned that (on extended downgrades) the surge brakes will be activated, over-heat, and wear prematurely.

    Acme has much better features on the sure brake model (Disk brakes sealed hubs, etc.) than their electric brake model. They feel confident that the surge brake model is the best option.

    Looking for a bit of confirmation that indeed a surge brake equipped dolly (vice electric brakes) is a good option for towing in the Sierras.

    Thanks in advance for your inputs.
    Dan

    Why would they brake excessively and any more so, than what's required? I mean, as soon as the dolly catches up with the coach for whatever reason, the brakes will activate and slow the dolly to the point of releasing the brakes, since it's now not pushing against the tow rig, any longer.
  • gutfelt's avatar
    gutfelt
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2017
    cruz-in wrote:
    Hi Team,

    Plan to buy an Acme EZE Tow Dolly.

    A good bit of our driving will in/around the Sierras. While folks seem to use surge brake equipped dollies with no issues in the mountains, I struggle with getting surge brakes on the Tow Dolly. Our Monaco motorhome has a pretty great Exhaust Brake and I am concerned that (on extended downgrades) the surge brakes will be activated, over-heat, and wear prematurely.

    Acme has much better features on the sure brake model (Disk brakes sealed hubs, etc.) than their electric brake model. They feel confident that the surge brake model is the best option.

    Looking for a bit of confirmation that indeed a surge brake equipped dolly (vice electric brakes) is a good option for towing in the Sierras.

    Thanks in advance for your inputs.
    Dan

    your exhaust brake and your surge brake are not in way connected so iam not sure what your asking? a exhaust brake is an assist and certainly one can hardly feel it when activating so I don't see this as an issue at all
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Nov 22, 2017
    I guess you can adjust the surge brake so it does not do much and yes disk brakes will take more heat but no way would I have a surge brake dolly in the mountains. I would go electric and pull the fuse in the front run box of your Monaco so the brake lights and the electric brakes on a dolly do not come on when using just the exhaust brake.

    For those that want to post you should have your brake lights on when using the exhaust brake......do the brake lights come on when you take your foot off the gas pedal in a gasser? This is much the same as using the exhaust brake to not let your speed increase coming down a mountain. If you are coming to a stop you will be using your brakes and the brake lights will be on.
  • FunTwoDrv's avatar
    FunTwoDrv
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2017
    Dan,
    We did about ten weeks in CO, WY and MT this Summer pulling a Demco SS with surge brakes. We didn’t have any issues at all on long downhill grades.

    Good luck,
    Gary

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