The surge actuator/coupler placed at the front end of the trailer tongue activates the hydraulic surge brakes if your trailer is equipped with them. When your tow vehicle comes to a stop, the trailer presses against it, compressing the master cylinder inside the actuator and forcing the fluid to the drum or disc brakes. A wheel cylinder is located inside each brake and expands when the brake fluid pressure rises, forcing the brake shoe into the inside of the drum or squeezing the caliper tight over the disc.
Surge brakes are self-contained within the trailer and do not require any electrical or hydraulic connections to the vehicle. Surge brakes are a passive device that only engages once the vehicle has started to slow down. This causes a split second of delay during which the trailer weight pushes the automobile, requiring you to halt your truck for a longer distance.
The car’s brake pedal pressure controls electric brake systems, which necessitate the use of an electric brake controller in your vehicle. When you press the brake pedal, the brake lights illuminate and voltage is transferred to the trailer’s electromagnetic actuators, which engage the brakes. This strong brake action is safer for downhill driving and quick stops since the trailer always brakes first.
Electric brakes are not common on boat trailers, although they are common on RV and utility trailers. Submersion, especially in salt water, is not recommended for RV-grade systems with painted automotive-grade components. Submerging a pair of magnetic actuators and their wiring is fraught with the same distrust that arises when water and electricity are mixed. Electric brakes from Tie Down Engineering are not recommended for maritime use.
All trailers with brakes are required by federal law to have an emergency breakaway system that immediately applies the brakes if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle. Surge brake systems trigger the master cylinder using a mechanical cable or chain attached to the tow vehicle. The electromagnets in the wheels are energized by a battery-operated activator in electric brake systems. A battery and charger, as well as an emergency switch and a battery cover, are frequently included in these kits.
Is it possible for me to tow a trailer with electric brakes?
No, without a brake controller, you can’t tow a trailer with electric brakes. A brake controller is an electrical device that allows the towing vehicle’s driver to manage the trailer’s braking power from within the vehicle.
If your trailer has brakes, you’ll need a brake controller to make them function. At least one axle of a tandem axle trailer must have brakes, and certain state laws may require both axles to have brakes. Finally, all single axle trailers with a gross weight of 3000 lbs. or more are required to have a braking axle.
How does a brake controller work?
Gain control is how brake controllers function. Gain is the amount of braking force transferred to the trailer via electrical pulses when the towing vehicle’s brake pedal is depressed. The brake controller can be used to modify the gain. Before driving, it is recommended that you adjust it. You can make small changes after the shifting begins to ensure a proper towing experience.
Are there surge or electric brakes on boat trailers?
Understanding how to operate your trailer safely and securely requires an understanding of your trailer brakes. Surge brakes, also known as hydraulic surge brakes, are commonly used in boat trailers and rental or leisure trailers. Surge brakes aren’t exactly controlled by the driver; they kick in automatically once the tow vehicle slows down.
You’ll learn how surge brakes work, why they’re the most popular type of trailer brake, and how to maintain them in the next few minutes.
What type of brakes are used on boat trailers?
Hydraulic surge brakes are the most often utilized trailer stopping device for boat trailers. Surge braking systems are compatible with both drum and disc brakes. However, deciding whether to employ drum or disc brakes is a difficult issue that is influenced by specific trailer factors.
Are the brakes on boat trailers electric or hydraulic?
For boat trailers, there are two types of brakes: electric/hydraulic and surge. It all depends on the individual’s demands and preferences:
Electric/hydraulic brakes feature a pump on the trailer that delivers the signal to release brake fluid to the calipers as soon as the brakes on the tow vehicle are applied. Surge brakes, on the other hand, rely on the trailer’s and tow vehicle’s coupling. When the tow vehicle slows down, the momentum of the moving trailer pulls the coupler, causing brake fluid to flow into the calipers and stopping the trailer.
The electric/hydraulic and surge trailer brakes both have the same goal: to keep the trailer from moving when it’s needed. Electric hydraulic brakes, on the other hand, necessitate the use of a controller to adjust the braking capacity of the tow vehicle.
Electric/hydraulic brakes are preferred by some people since they may be used in mountainous places and work both up and downhill. Surge brakes are only effective when the coupler is pushed into the casing by force.
When do trailer brakes become necessary?
- With the safety clips in place, the spring bar hinges are secure (load equalizer or weight distributing hitches).
Trailer tow drivers are concerned about the same safety issues as other RV drivers. A tow vehicle plus a trailer, on the other hand, constitute an articulated (hinged) vehicle, which raises a new set of issues. Weight concerns, as explained on pages 30 and 31, are critical for safe towing. The tow vehicle must be suitable for towing the trailer. The trailer can perform safely under a variety of driving circumstances if it is properly outfitted. The tow vehicle should also be powerful enough to climb steep mountain grades without losing too much speed. There are three primary types of trailers, each of which is distinguished by the way it is hitched:
Conventional Trailers
The ball and coupler hitch is utilized on a wide range of trailer and tow vehicle combinations. A ball is fastened to the back of the tow vehicle, and a coupler (socket) is coupled to the tip of the tongue or A-frame attached to the front of the trailer. Recreational trailers frequently use this hitch.
For bigger trailers, such as utility trailers, boat trailers, and travel trailers, a load-distributing hitch is employed. (See the sections on Hitch Adjustment and Balance.) To help steady the tow vehicle, these load-distributing hitches use unique technology to spread the tongue load to all axles of the tow vehicle and trailer. When discussing hitch modification and evaluating hitch performance, you should be familiar with the following terms:
- A removable steel component that fits into the receiver is known as a ball mount. It is attached to the hitch ball and spring bars (only on load-distributing hitches).
- When a ball-type hitch is utilized, sway control is a device that reduces the pivoting motion between the tow vehicle and trailer.
- The ball socket at the front of the trailer A-frame that accommodates the hitch ball is known as a coupler.
- Spring Bars: In a load-distributing ball-type hitch, load-leveling bars are used to disperse hitch weight among all axles of the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Fifth-wheel Trailers
Because fifth-wheel trailers are essentially very stable, less attention is paid to balance, hitching processes, and weight limits. A fifth-wheel trailer has the disadvantage of not having as much truck bed room as conventional trailers. The hitch pin is in front of the center line of the tow vehicle’s rear axle, and the fifth-wheel hitch fills the middle of the truck bed. Fifth-wheel trailer hitch weight is typically around 20% of the trailer weight. Hitches are rated for gross trailer weights of up to 15,000 pounds. The following are some words that are commonly used to describe common fifth-wheel hitch components:
- Fifth-wheel Plate: A hitch plate, plate jaws, and a handle attached in the truck bed make up the plate.
- Pin: The connecting item on a fifth-wheel trailer that is designed to slot into the truck bed’s plate jaws.
- Pin Box: A structure attached to the trailer frame’s bottom front part (the pin is attached to the bottom).
- Side Rails: Support rails for the fifth-wheel hitch that are bolted to the tow truck bed.
Motorcycle, Tent, and Cargo Trailers
Between the towing vehicle and the trailer, there are numerous types of couplings:
When hauling a trailer, motorcycle riders must remember to stay closer to the middle of the road. You must consider the width of your trailer. At intersections, be wary of the “oil strip” in the middle of the road. Also, keep an eye out for uneven road surfaces and road edges, which might throw the trailer off balance.
Transporting Passengers
- CVC 21712(d) prohibits anybody from entering a trailer coach while it is being hauled.
- While being towed, people are allowed in a fifth-wheel trailer coach (CVC 21712 (f), I
- A camper with occupants must have an unimpeded exit door that may be opened from the interior and outside at all times (CVC 23129).
Weighing a Trailer
A public scale can be found in the yellow pages of your local phone directory under “Public Scales.”
Trailers must be weighted carefully to ensure that loads are evenly distributed from front to back and left to right. When it comes to trailer weights, there are two more factors to consider:
The weight capacities of both the tow vehicle and the hitching mechanism have an impact on the vehicle’s safe handling. You should be aware of this as a new RV owner or driver.
- Tow Vehicle do not exceed the tow vehicle’s GVWR. This weight includes the vehicle’s curb weight, cargo, and hitch weight. The percentage of the trailer weight that is placed on the tow vehicle’s trailer coupler is known as hitch weight. (For more information on trailer vehicle hitch weight, see the following section.) The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of tow vehicles is similarly limited. To stay under the maximum weight limitations and avoid oversteering, the payload and hitch weight must be uniformly distributed across the axles.
- Hitch Weight of a Trailer Vehicle Approximately 10-15% of the gross weight of a trailer is meant to be loaded in front of the front axle and onto the hitching mechanism. This provides the necessary stability for road handling. You may have a problem with not enough weight on the hitch if your trailer is not steady. Here’s how to calculate the hitch weight:
- Place your loaded trailer on a scale with the hitch coupler extending beyond the scale’s end but the tongue jack post (the front of the trailer’s post that sits on the ground when unhitched) on the scale.
- Unhitch the tow vehicle, block the trailer vehicle wheels, and get a weight rating. This is just the trailer vehicle’s curb weight.
- Place a jack stand or 4 4 blocks behind the coupler and beyond the scale to support the tongue jack post off the scale and keep the trailer level. Take note of the weight rating.
- For the hitch weight, subtract the reading from #2 from the reading from #3. Weight distribution can affect vehicle stability and safety in any RV. If the rear axle weight is low, for example, it’s advisable to load the heaviest items at the back. To keep the RV’s center of gravity low and assure the best handling, store the heaviest items at the bottom.
Balance
Examine the trailer’s weight distribution before towing it. For proper handling, travel trailer hitch weights should normally be at least 10% of the trailer’s gross weight. It can reach 15% or greater in some circumstances. The tow vehicle and hitch capacities limit the hitch weight for heavier trailers. The strongest load-distribution hitch is rated for 1200 pounds of hitch weight. The trailer should be towed by a pickup truck or van because most passenger vehicle suspensions cannot carry that much weight. The trailer can fishtail due to improper weight distribution (sway back-and-forth across the lane).
Hitch Adjustment
You can compensate for some of the hitch weight if the gross trailer weight is less than 10% of the hitch weight by loading heavy supplies like tools and canned goods as far forward as possible. If your trailer’s water tank sits behind the axles, travel with as little water as possible in the tank to reduce rear-end weight. Because the water adds to the hitch weight, trailers with front-mounted water tanks normally handle best when the tanks are full.
Make sure the spring bars of your load-distributing hitch are rated high enough to withstand the hitch weight of your trailer plus a 10% safety buffer. Check the tow vehicle’s rear suspension for proper operation. This implies that before hitching the trailer, the car sits relatively level.
The hitch weight is distributed fairly evenly over all axles of the tow vehicle and trailer with load-distributing hitches. At order for the hitch to function effectively, the tow vehicle and trailer must be in a level position (altitude). Here’s how to do it:
- Measure the distance between the tow vehicle and the ground at reference sites in front and behind while the tow vehicle is loaded for a trip. Keep the figures on hand in case you need them later.
- Hitch the trailer and adjust the spring bar tension so that the tow vehicle maintains a similar attitude (i.e., if the rear drops an inch after hitching, the front should also drop an inch).
- Check to see if the trailer is level. The hitch ball height should be adjusted or lowered as needed if it is not level. If you can’t keep the tow vehicle from sagging in the back, you might require spring bars rated for higher weight.
Travel trailers are required to include safety chains. Fifth-wheel trailers do not require safety chains. The objective of safety chains is to keep the trailer attached to the tow vehicle in the event of a hitch failure, such as a loosened hitch ball. Below the ball mount, the chains should be crossed in a “X,” with enough slack to allow unfettered rotation but not enough to allow the coupler to contact the ground.
Any trailer with a gross weight of 1500 pounds or greater that was constructed after December 31, 1955 must additionally include breakaway switches. If the tow vehicle separates from the trailer, they are designed to trigger trailer brakes. The breakaway switch is looped around a stationary hitch component on the tow vehicle on one end and an electrical switch on the trailer frame on the other. The cable pulls a pin inside the breakaway switch and applies full power from the trailer batteries to the trailer brakes if the two vehicles become separated.
The breakaway switch and the safety chains must be in good operating order, even though hitch component failure is uncommon.
The motorcycle trailer hitch should be on the same plane as or slightly below the motorbike’s rear axle. When braking, this will assist prevent the trailer from pulling up on the back end. In addition, the hitch should be as close as possible to the rear tire to provide a more robust support without interfering with the tire. Two mounts should be on each side of the hitch. One of each side’s two mounts should resist a downward push, while the other side’s two mounts should resist the backward pull.
The tongue length on a trailer is usually double the width of the trailer wheel, but not more than six feet from the axle to the tongue’s end. Sway control will be improved with appropriate design. The trailer will swing if the tongue is too short. If the trailer is excessively lengthy, it will be sluggish and will clip corners when turning.
Because auto trailer tongue weights are too heavy for motorcycle trailers, you should use a motorcycle trailer. The handling and performance of a trailer with a good aerodynamic design will improve. Maintaining a low center of gravity will also help with handling.
Sway Control
If the weight and hitch settings are correct, the trailer should handle well. For the maximum towing comfort and safety, the coupling between a tow vehicle and trailer should also restrict side-to-side motion. Stop if you notice sway in your trailer to make sure the cargo hasn’t shifted. Check for faults with the suspension and ensure sure the tires and wheels are secure and properly inflated. Make that the trailer hitch is in good working order. A little decrease in tire air pressure or an increase in tongue weight may be beneficial. When the hitch is installed, a sway control device should be incorporated. This gadget gives the tow vehicle and trailer the appearance of being “one vehicle.” Sway control systems can be divided into two categories:
- The action of the vehicles activates the friction bar, which glides in and out. The trailer weight compresses the bar as you brake or turn, which subsequently compresses the trailer against the tow vehicle.
- Dual cam sway control for large trailers with heavy tongue weights, this is usually the best option. The trailer’s spring is subjected to cam action, which reduces wobble and shifts the weight forward. It also changes the trailer’s weight shift, allowing it to follow the tow vehicle.
Trailer Lights
Reflectors, tail, brake, and license plate lights are all required on trailers in California. If the tow vehicle’s lights are hidden, signal lights are also necessary. Clearance lights are required on trailers with a width of more than 80 inches. Most manufacturers adhere to these guidelines; however, it is your responsibility to ensure that all lights function properly.
Trailer Brakes
Any trailer coach or camp trailer with a gross weight of 1500 lbs. or more is required to have brakes in California. Tow trucks’ braking power is usually enough; but, it may not be adequate to safely stop the several hundred to several thousand pounds added by your trailer. Electric brakes are standard on most conventional and fifth-wheel trailers, and they are controlled by a controller in the tow vehicle. When the brake pedal is pressed, the controller automatically coordinates tow vehicle and trailer braking so that both systems function together.
The controller can also aid in the stabilization of a trailer that is swaying due to poor road conditions. A trailer that is prone to wobble can be stabilized by manually applying the trailer brakes with the hand lever on the controller.
Surge brake systems are commonly installed on folding camp trailers and boat trailers, which operate independently of the tow vehicle’s brakes.
A mechanism coupled to the receiver/ball connection applies surge brakes. The forward speed of the trailer compresses the mechanism, which then applies the trailer brakes when the tow vehicle slows.
Brakes are not required on motorcycle trailers unless the gross weight reaches 1500 pounds. If you add brakes on your motorbike trailer, make sure they are not stronger than the motorcycle, or the motorcycle may flip backwards over the trailer when you apply the brakes. The brakes must constantly be adjusted properly.
Trailer Backing
For inexperienced trailer owners, backing a trailer can be an unpleasant process. The most crucial thing to remember is that the trailer will follow the tow vehicle in the opposite direction. It is advantageous to have another person assist you in backing up the trailer.
- To have the trailer go left, turn the vehicle’s wheels to the right, and vice versa.
- Place your hand on the steering wheel’s bottom. The trailer will follow the same path as your hand (moving your hand to the right will cause the trailer to go right, and vice versa).
Sharp steering wheel adjustments will cause the trailer to jackknife, potentially causing damage to the tow vehicle’s back end or the trailer’s front end.
Conclusion
This pamphlet contains vital safety advice for RVs and trailers. A thorough awareness of RV and trailer safety, as well as plenty of driving practice, will enable you to operate your vehicle with greater confidence and pleasure.
Is it possible to tow a trailer without using electronic brakes?
Is it possible to tow a trailer with electric brakes without a brake controller? No. Your trailer’s electronic brakes will remain inactive if you don’t have an electric brake controller.
Is it necessary for my boat trailer to have brakes?
The most frequent statute mandates the installation of brakes on any trailer weighing more than 3,000 pounds, however some jurisdictions have no such requirement, while others require brakes on all trailers. Some states need brakes on all axles for trailers with more than one axle, whereas others only require brakes on a single axle.
