Surge brakes vs electric

[jerem0621]

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

[Bionic_Man]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Terryallan]

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.