[Rhodes22-list] FW: [rhodes-list] Trailer Brakes Question
Gardner, Douglas L. (LNG)
rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org
Thu, 1 Aug 2002 10:53:42 -0400
A lot of this is from old discussions, but thought I'd forward my reply from
the other list...
-----Original Message-----
From: Gardner, Douglas L. (LNG) [mailto:douglas.gardner@lexisnexis.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2002 10:36 AM
To: 'rhodes-list@sailnet.net'
Subject: RE: [rhodes-list] Trailer Brakes Question
Ed, Rick, & Denny,
I'm sure they don't mean that BRAKES are illegal. Just brakes that
operate based on trailer pressure on the hitch, such as the pressure
activated hydraulic brakes used on most boat trailers.
There are some good things and bad things about surge brakes.
First, though, we should know why surge brakes exist. The simple reason is
WATER.
Electric brakes are superior in a variety of ways. They are cheaper, and
you can have very precise control of the amount of trailer braking via a
brake controller monted in the tow vehicle. However, submerging them voids
the warranty. Essentially, electric brakes are activated by electromagnets
at the wheel. Most people are a little wary of submerging electromagnets.
It certainly can't be good for them. Salt water could be downright ugly.
So, the brake manufacturers came up with a hydraulic brake which withstands
dunking much better. These brakes are activated by a surge controller
mounted at the hitch coupler. This controller determines the amount of
pressure the trailer exerts on the tow vehicle, and applies braking as the
pressure increases.
However, there are some serious drawbacks to surge brakes.
1) control is almost non-existent. You cannot control how much trailer
braking you have from the driver's seat. You cannot independently control
trailer and vehicle braking in an emergency.
2) Backing is a problem. If you try to back up, the brakes are applied.
(pressure on the coupler, remember?) If you try harder, the brakes lock up.
If you remember to disengage the brakes you're OK, but you also have no
brakes.
3) Tongue extensions are cumbersome. Because the activator is mounted to
the coupler, you need to deal with the brake lines when backing. In most
cases, the brake lines are disconnected. Some people have installed quick
disconnects to make this easier, but air bubbles in the brake lines can
still be a problem. Trailers with separate extendable tongues avoid this
problem.
Apparently, Maryland has decided that these problems are serious enough to
disqualify surge brakes as a way to meet the requirements for brakes on
trailers over 3000 lbs. Apparently, they did not include an exemption for
recreational use. Rumor has it that Ohio is considering a similar measure.
I bet others are, as well.
So... what do you do? I believe that there are currently 2 options which
include compliance with the law.
1) Electrically controlled hydraulic brakes. These are hydraulic brakes
(like on surge brakes) but replace the surge controller with an electrically
operated hydraulic system, controlled by the standard electric brake
controller from the driver's seat. PROBLEM: they are very expensive (my
quote was more than double the cost of surge brakes) and new. Interpret NEW
to mean "we don't know what is wrong with them, yet... and the bugs aren't
worked out"
2) Use electric brakes, and check them for problems regularly. Disconnect
the plug before backing into the water. Let them drain thoroughly before
reconnecting, and live without the warranty. It will have expired before you
land your boat in fall, anyway! New magnets are cheap ($20 each, or so) and
apparently easy to replace. Also, brakes get wet. Always have, and always
will. The submerging problem has probably been exaggerated for fresh water.
(seriously consider the electrically operated hydraulic brakes for salt
water use, though!)
I'm not qualified (or legally protected) so would not want to give advice on
a serious topic like trailer brakes.
However, I can tell you that I just had electric brakes installed on
Fretnaught's trailer. I could probably tell you in about a year if I think I
made the right decision or not.
Good luck,
--Doug Gardner
s/v Fretnaught
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Kroposki [mailto:kroposki@innova.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 11:54 PM
To: rhodes-list@sailnet.net
Subject: Re: [rhodes-list] Trailer Brakes Question
Rick, Dennis,
What is the reason for making surge brakes on
trailers illegal? Does that include all brakes on trailers? What about
those state that require brakes on trailers carry specified weights?
Ed K
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis J Sitler" <djsitler@gmpexpress.net>
To: <rhodes-list@sailnet.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 8:24 PM
Subject: Re: [rhodes-list] Trailer Brakes Question
> Hi Rick,
> I would be interested in what they might have to say, if it isn't too much
> trouble for you. My plans are to get my boat sailable for this fall up
here,
> and do more work on it and rebuild the trailer over winter. I hope to take
> it down to the bay next spring to spend weekends there. I have seen boat
> trailers with surge brakes, but I don't recall any with electric. I was
> planning to get stainless steel disk brakes with a new surge unit. I am
> planning on calling the MVA and getting information from them when I get a
> chance, maybe tomorrow. Appreciate any help,and thanks.
>
> Denny,
> 1974 R22 Gossamer Wing
> Berwick, PA
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rick Redmond <credmond@olg.com>
> To: <rhodes-list@sailnet.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 10:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [rhodes-list] Trailer Brakes Question
>
>
> > Denny,
> >
> > I just saw this article in a magazine about Chesapeake Bay boating. So
> its
> > is true. Check with your local police to see if MD can enforce their
law
> on
> > trailers that are registered and tagged in other states. If you like, I
> > could check with my local MD State Police Barracks to see how they are
> going
> > to enforce this law.
> >
> > Rick Redmond
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Dennis J Sitler" <djsitler@gmpexpress.net>
> > To: <rhodes-list@sailnet.net>
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 7:38 PM
> > Subject: [rhodes-list] Trailer Brakes Question
> >
> >
> > > This is a question to Rhodies in the Chesapeake Bay area. A friend who
> has
> > a
> > > boat in the upper bay told me that the Governor of Maryland signed a
law
> > > into effect making surge brakes illegal in the state. He also said
that
> > the
> > > fine was like $500 or more. Supposedly the law was for trucks but as
it
> > > turned out it ended up including boat trailers. I need to put brakes
on
> my
> > > trailer after I get my boat done ( whenever that happens). Since I
live
> in
> > > PA but want to sail on the bay this is a concern to me and possibly
the
> > rest
> > > of you. I have a dual axle trailer that in PA if registered over 3000
> > pounds
> > > needs brakes on all 4 wheels to pass inspection. I was going to put 4
> disk
> > > brakes and a new surge unit on it. I think this is the ideal setup for
> > this
> > > type trailer. I could use any information on this situation before I
> spend
> > > money on something that won't be legal where I want to use it. Any
help
> > will
> > > be appreciated.
> > >
> > > Denny,
> > > 1974 R22 Gossamer Wing
> > > Berwick, PA
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > ** 6 of 197 list members have joined SailPerks **
> > > SailPerks save you money while supporting this List.
> > > Visit http://www.sailnet.com/sailperks/ for details.
> > >
> > > 10% off all Bluewater Sails Ordered in July!
> > > Order any AirForce Bluewater sail during the
> > > month of July and get a 10% discount.
> > > http://www.sailnet.com/airforce/options_quoter/index.cfm
> > >
> > > The rhodes-list is brought to you by SailNet, Where Sailors Get It!
> > > To unsubscribe, e-mail: rhodes-list-unsubscribe@sailnet.net
> > > For additional commands, e-mail: rhodes-list-help@sailnet.net
> > > This message is part of thread number 13988.
> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ** 6 of 197 list members have joined SailPerks **
> > SailPerks save you money while supporting this List.
> > Visit http://www.sailnet.com/sailperks/ for details.
> >
> > 10% off all Bluewater Sails Ordered in July!
> > Order any AirForce Bluewater sail during the
> > month of July and get a 10% discount.
> > http://www.sailnet.com/airforce/options_quoter/index.cfm
> >
> > The rhodes-list is brought to you by SailNet, Where Sailors Get It!
> > To unsubscribe, e-mail: rhodes-list-unsubscribe@sailnet.net
> > For additional commands, e-mail: rhodes-list-help@sailnet.net
> > This message is part of thread number 13989.
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> ** 6 of 197 list members have joined SailPerks **
> SailPerks save you money while supporting this List.
> Visit http://www.sailnet.com/sailperks/ for details.
>
> 10% off all Bluewater Sails Ordered in July!
> Order any AirForce Bluewater sail during the
> month of July and get a 10% discount.
> http://www.sailnet.com/airforce/options_quoter/index.cfm
>
> The rhodes-list is brought to you by SailNet, Where Sailors Get It!
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: rhodes-list-unsubscribe@sailnet.net
> For additional commands, e-mail: rhodes-list-help@sailnet.net
> This message is part of thread number 13990.
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
** 6 of 197 list members have joined SailPerks **
SailPerks save you money while supporting this List.
Visit http://www.sailnet.com/sailperks/ for details.
10% off all Bluewater Sails Ordered in July!
Order any AirForce Bluewater sail during the
month of July and get a 10% discount.
http://www.sailnet.com/airforce/options_quoter/index.cfm
The rhodes-list is brought to you by SailNet, Where Sailors Get It!
To unsubscribe, e-mail: rhodes-list-unsubscribe@sailnet.net
For additional commands, e-mail: rhodes-list-help@sailnet.net
This message is part of thread number 13991.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
** 6 of 198 list members have joined SailPerks **
SailPerks save you money while supporting this List.
Visit http://www.sailnet.com/sailperks/ for details.
10% off all Bluewater Sails Ordered in July!
Order any AirForce Bluewater sail during the
month of July and get a 10% discount.
http://www.sailnet.com/airforce/options_quoter/index.cfm
The rhodes-list is brought to you by SailNet, Where Sailors Get It!
To unsubscribe, e-mail: rhodes-list-unsubscribe@sailnet.net
For additional commands, e-mail: rhodes-list-help@sailnet.net
This message is part of thread number 13992.
---------------------------------------------------------------------