Electric over hydraulic

[familyfun]

On 10/26/2021 at 11:03 PM, RyanB said:

Fwiw, we switched to straight electric trailer brakes on our boat last year. My buddy did the same about 5 years ago. 
 

No issue with a swing way tongue. We did weld the sliding actuator. And we have a battery mounted to the winch mast of the boat trailer. Brakes work on a steep ramp (I sometimes use an Ex MAX if my truck is being used for the RV). 
 

Add me to the camp of never going back to surge brakes. I’m very happy with the upgrade. 

Just out of curiosity, any known significant benefit of straight electric vs electric over hydraulic?  Or was it simply a matter of what was available when switching away from surge brakes?

[Surf4FamFun]

On 10/29/2021 at 4:22 PM, familyfun said:

Just out of curiosity, any known significant benefit of straight electric vs electric over hydraulic?  Or was it simply a matter of what was available when switching away from surge brakes?

I was curious about that.  Quick search suggests that you can't do straight  electric with disk.  If you want disk you need electric over hydraulic.  Given the differences in how they work it makes sense.  Also unless things changed in the last 40 years drum brakes adjust when braking is applied in reverse.  If you want the trailer to help stop when backing down the ramp I think disk would be necessary.

I am thinking that backing down a ramp the weight of the tow vehicle and tires are what determines if you slide.  On a steep ish ramp our 23 MXZ will drag our Sequoia backwards a little but have also had a rented F250 Diesel 4x4 CC slide a little though less.  If you have a steep ramp you probably need eletric over hydraulic (and so disk) to combat that.  Given how excited my wife gets every time that happens now that we are having this discussion I think I will upgrade the next trailer we get.

 

[RyanB]

We did have to change from disc to drum. I simply went with what “my guy” recommended. 
 

So far I haven’t noticed the trailer pulling the SUV down the ramp when backing up. There were times that happened in the past. 

Edited October 31, 2021 by RyanB

[justgary]

10 hours ago, Surf4FamFun said:

Also unless things changed in the last 40 years drum brakes adjust when braking is applied in reverse.  If you want the trailer to help stop when backing down the ramp I think disk would be necessary.

You can buy self adjusting or manual adjusting brakes.  The self adjusting part does do its work while reversing, but the brakes still work correctly while that happens.