Electric/Hydraulic trailer brakes. Yes!

[kerno]

I am in the process of towing a Jupiter 31 from Florida to California. I put it on a brand new trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes. They are, without question, the best brakes I've ever had on a trailer. I weighed the boat and trailer this morning at 10,460#. The trailer is set up with stainless Kodiak discs on two axles and was built by McClain Trailers in Houston. The construction of the trailer is the best that I've seen. I picked it up in Houston and towed it to Ft. Lauderdale and the braking system is so adjustable that it works well loaded or empty. I'll never buy another surge actuator.

The amount of rain I've been through on this trip keeps me wondering when I'll see an old man leading pairs of animals...

[Porkchunker]

I recently converted my drum brakes to Kodiak Silver-Cadmium disks. Had to do some work on the actuator and was toying with the idea of converting to electric over hydralic.

Thanks for the feedback.

[kerno]

I am using the BrakeRite hydraulic unit with a Tekonsha Prodigy controller. Tekonsha says the controller is "not tested" with electric/hydraulic systems, but the system works so smoothly that I am left wondering why Tekonsha would miss that market. Don'tput another dime into your present actuator. The fact that you'll be going to a simple, fixed coupler alone is significant. I don't sell 'em and until now, I'd never used 'em. But I'm convinced!

[UBETRUN]

I got a quote for $1200 to convert my 13K triple axle Road King, probably $600 in parts. I didn't do it then but willwhen the surge coupler wears out.

[rwidman]

UBETRUN - 9/24/2006 7:23 AM

I got a quote for $1200 to convert my 13K triple axle Road King, probably $600 in parts. I didn't do it then but will*when the surge coupler wears out.

You'll be too old to drive by then!

The trailer mounted actuator is about $600. Then you need the battery for the emergency break away feature, the tow vehicle needs to be arranged to keep this battery charged, and you need the "in cab controller" (don't know the price). And you can only tow with your vehicle or another that's set up for electric over hydraulic brakes.

It is far and away the best boat trailer braking system though. Worth it for someone with a big, heavy boat, doing a lot of trailering, especially in the mountains.

[FireFly]

I have E over H and more or less only use them when backing the boat down the ramp with my Jeep Wrangler. The E over H brakes keep prevent the boat from pulling the jeep down the ramp and do a remarkable job.