Surge Brakes on Long Steep Hills
12-02-2020, 10:19 PM
#42
Senior Member
Originally Posted by ken62k
Switch to electric over hydraulic and you will never have to worry about hills.
This is the best setup.
This is the best setup.
I have EOH brakes on all 3 axles (15klbs trailer), and it is outright dangerous to drive it.
Once I hit the brakes on the truck - with the brake controller at max - it takes between 1.5 and 2 seconds before the trailer brakes start to grab. When you're doing 65mph, 2 seconds is an eternity. That is when loaded with 11klbs boat. When empty, controller at 3 and the brakes grab in less than 1/2 second.
Trailer has been checked by two shops, and many others who have the same set-up have told me that, well, that's the way it is with EOH, it takes that much time for the pump to start building up enough pressure to start slowing down a loaded trailer.
I think it is the best set-up when launching my boat; when I hit the brakes going backwards down the ramp, I have 10 wheels locking up - compared to only 4 wheels with surge brakes. Chances of my boat pulling the truck into the lake is slim to none.
Likes:
12-23-2020, 02:53 PM
#43
Originally Posted by Misterfu02
Yacht Club owners manual says not to downshift on hills.
Towed all over the Adirondacks with mine. No issues.
Towed all over the Adirondacks with mine. No issues.
12-28-2020, 08:53 PM
#44
Senior Member
Originally Posted by ken62k
Switch to electric over hydraulic and you will never have to worry about hills.
This is the best setup.
This is the best setup.
this.
10000 times over
also, upsize axles 1 over required and get brakes on each axle if ordering new.
I stop faster towing 11,400# trailer than truck alone
Originally Posted by berrie
I would only partially agree with that.
I have EOH brakes on all 3 axles (15klbs trailer), and it is outright dangerous to drive it.
Once I hit the brakes on the truck - with the brake controller at max - it takes between 1.5 and 2 seconds before the trailer brakes start to grab. When you're doing 65mph, 2 seconds is an eternity. That is when loaded with 11klbs boat. When empty, controller at 3 and the brakes grab in less than 1/2 second.
Trailer has been checked by two shops, and many others who have the same set-up have told me that, well, that's the way it is with EOH, it takes that much time for the pump to start building up enough pressure to start slowing down a loaded trailer.
I think it is the best set-up when launching my boat; when I hit the brakes going backwards down the ramp, I have 10 wheels locking up - compared to only 4 wheels with surge brakes. Chances of my boat pulling the truck into the lake is slim to none.
I have EOH brakes on all 3 axles (15klbs trailer), and it is outright dangerous to drive it.
Once I hit the brakes on the truck - with the brake controller at max - it takes between 1.5 and 2 seconds before the trailer brakes start to grab. When you're doing 65mph, 2 seconds is an eternity. That is when loaded with 11klbs boat. When empty, controller at 3 and the brakes grab in less than 1/2 second.
Trailer has been checked by two shops, and many others who have the same set-up have told me that, well, that's the way it is with EOH, it takes that much time for the pump to start building up enough pressure to start slowing down a loaded trailer.
I think it is the best set-up when launching my boat; when I hit the brakes going backwards down the ramp, I have 10 wheels locking up - compared to only 4 wheels with surge brakes. Chances of my boat pulling the truck into the lake is slim to none.
I had to pump almost 5 quarts of fluid while having the trailer pointing downgrade to get a full and true bleed though. Sounds like you have air or a lazy brake controller
Last edited by Stray Current; 12-28-2020 at 08:58 PM.
01-03-2021, 08:50 PM
#45
I've only got 6-7 months on a new E/H two axle install using Kodiak calipers and a Hydrastar actuator with Ford Controller but I have absolutely no complaints on response time or performance. It beats the hell out of the old surge brakes. I haven't had the "deer in the headlights" panic stop yet but there's no perceptible significant/unusual delay in normal operation.
