Hydraulic Vs Electric Trailer Brakes

[Summitric]

ANYONE KNOW THE LEGALITIES BEHIND HYDRAULIC SURGE BRAKES ON A TRAILER IN B.C.??? I KNOW THERE MUST BE 1 AXLE ON A 2 AXLE TRAILER WITH A BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT DON'T KNOW IF SURGE BRAKES ARE 100% LEGAL IN B.C.
ANY LINKS ANYONE KNOW OF FOR THAT INFO??
REASON I'M ASKING, IS I HAVE SURGE BRAKES ON MY 4PLACE TRAILER, AND WHEN ON ICE AND HIT BRAKES, THEY AREN'T THAT EFFECTIVE, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET MUCH OF A SURGE TO THE SURGE BRAKE TO ACTIVATE. MY SUMMER PROJECT IS PUTTING ELECTRIC BRAKES ON THE OLD GIRL, BUT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS WINTER ON THE SURGE BRAKES.

 

[catmando]

Pretty sure laws apply to brakes in general,regardless of what type of brakes they are,it is nice to be able to adjust brakes with brake control for different situations.I think you will be fine as long as there working!
catmando!

 

[2003Summit]

You could also switch to electric over hydraulic. Not sure what's involved in that but I know you can buy the stuff to do it. Basically its a little motor that runs the hydraulics. Might be less trouble than changing everything over to electric. Try some of the bigger truck/trailer supply places (ie. not consumer but industrial). Don't know the cost so not sure how good of an option it would be. I do know they work well. I know that buying electric brakes is about $400 and axle.

 

[rknight111]

Go see George or Greg at Beothick Trailers on the South Side of Edmonton 468-2417. Or mabie Toeknee may know the answer on here.

RON

 

[Toeknee]

Hope this helps

BRITISH COLUMBIA TOWING REGULATIONS

All Trailers and towing dollies must have brakes on all wheels when the GVW of the dinghy/trailer/load exceeds 1300 kg or 3000 lbs. All trailers with brakes much have a breakaway device hooked to the trailer brake system. Surge brakes may be used up to a towed gvw of 6,173 lb. From 6173 lb. and up, the towed vehicle brakes must be able to be applied by the driver of the tow vehicle. Only one trailer may be towed at a time, and a car dolly with a car is regarded as one trailer.

Motorhomes may tow motor vehicles via a tow bar without brakes hooked up on the towed vehicle when the towed vehicle’s laden weight is (a) less than 4409 lb. and (b) less than 40% of the GVWR of the motorhome towing it. Motor vehicles with a laden weight of over 4409 lbs. and which are towed by a motorhome must have brakes and a breakaway device hooked up. All vehicles towed with a ball, must have approved safety chains or cables.

As for the electric over hydraulic they are becoming very popular as well, we have up graded many old vaccume over hydraulic trailers to electric over hydraulic with very good results and the surge would be the same. This is the product we have been using. http://www.carlislebrake.com/trailer_brake_actuators.php
Very simple to you and works with almost all electric brake controls
Let me know on which ever way you decide to go Rick and maybe I can help you out $

 

[OVERKILL 19]

My 2 cents, is you are going in the right direction ,surge brakes are for boat trailers and other summer related trailers for that reason.Ice and surge brakes dont mix very well plus backing up hill is a pain in the A#% .cheak out ebay lots of new stuff ,cheap if you are not in a hurry LOL.