"Dan D." wrote in message
m...
I have a travel trailer with electric brakes.
They do work in reverse.
In fact they work so well in reverse that I have to turn them
off when backing as it becomes very difficult to back into my
home parking spot with them on.

Why is that, do you keep your foot on the brake when you back up?

Rod, my home parking spot is slightly downhill.
I'm usually backing up with my foot on the brake.
This applies too much trailer brake and stops me.
I let off the brake - they release - I lurch back and hit the pedal
again....
So I roll off the brakes with the thumb wheel and park it!

When your brake lights are on the controller is applying braking
voltage to the trailer.

I have never seen a controller like this, can you provide a brand name?

First, my travel trailer is small and light. About 2200 lbs loaded.
So I went for the cheap controller. As I said it simply applies voltage
anytime the brake lights are on.
You set the amount of voltage with the thumb wheel.
They are not smart brakes ie they apply at the setting of the thumb wheel
no matter if you are rolling up gently or in a panic stop.
They're fine for most situations with my LIGHT weight trailer.
I would not advise them for a heavy trailer or boat.

I'm at work ;-) and do not remember the brand name but I'm quite sure
most
any trailer or RV store would have them. Just ask for the cheapest
controller
he has. I think it was about 60 bucks.
If you want a name send me an email and I'll gladly dig out my papers
and send you the manufacturer.
kydan at myrealbox dot com
It has the LEDs like mentioned in another post.
Green means it is connected to the trailer.
Yellow is light braking.
Red is heavy breaking but you will not see red unless you turn up
the thumb wheel.

Also earlier in this thread I think someone said electric brakes wouldn't
work in reverse because of the way the brake shoes face or something.
I guess they were talking about "leading or trailing" shoes.
My trailer brakes act like they want to lock up in reverse but work
just fine in forward directions. This is why I turn mine off for backing.
Remember I'm in a trailer. I'm not backing down a steep boat ramp!!

I repeat -- my trailer is light weight.
I would want surge or pendulum control electric if I had a bigger rig.

Peace! Dan D. Louisville KY good ole USA

My boat/trailer is heavy--12,500LBS. I have a triple
trailer with stainless discs with an electric over hydraulic
controller. Having used surge on numerous trailer, I would never go
back--much smoother braking, and you do have braking backing down--if
wanted, none for
backing uphill unless needed. And, in some states and
where I tow in Canada, you must be able to control the towed vehicles brakes
from the towing vehicle. I use the
Carlisle "Hydrostar" but there are others.
Good boating, Danlw.

My boat/trailer is heavy--12,500LBS. I have a triple
trailer with stainless discs with an electric over hydraulic
controller. Having used surge on numerous trailer, I would never go
back--much smoother braking, and you do have braking backing down--if
wanted, none for
backing uphill unless needed. And, in some states and
where I tow in Canada, you must be able to control the towed vehicles
brakes
from the towing vehicle. I use the
Carlisle "Hydrostar" but there are others.
Good boating, Danlw.


I looked into that system when I bought my boat and trailer 4 years ago.
Thought it had interesting potential. But at that time, they didn't have a
controller that could accommodate heavy loads (my boat/trailer is 14,200
pounds). Also couldn't find anybody in the trailer business that had any
experience with the Carlisle system. So I ended up with a traditional
surge/drum system on all three axles. Gets the job done, but I'm sure there
are better options.

How long have you had yours?

What sort of controller do you have in the tow vehicle?

You sound pretty happy with it.

The skeg guard advertisements have hot women, so they have to be good.


"RG" wrote in message news:jRreb.8977$Rd4.7010@fed1read07...

My boat/trailer is heavy--12,500LBS. I have a triple
trailer with stainless discs with an electric over hydraulic
controller. Having used surge on numerous trailer, I would never go
back--much smoother braking, and you do have braking backing down--if
wanted, none for
backing uphill unless needed. And, in some states and
where I tow in Canada, you must be able to control the towed vehicles
brakes
from the towing vehicle. I use the
Carlisle "Hydrostar" but there are others.
Good boating, Danlw.


I looked into that system when I bought my boat and trailer 4 years ago.
Thought it had interesting potential. But at that time, they didn't have
a
controller that could accommodate heavy loads (my boat/trailer is 14,200
pounds). Also couldn't find anybody in the trailer business that had any
experience with the Carlisle system. So I ended up with a traditional
surge/drum system on all three axles. Gets the job done, but I'm sure
there
are better options.

How long have you had yours?

What sort of controller do you have in the tow vehicle?

You sound pretty happy with it.

"NOYB" wrote in message
om...
The skeg guard advertisements have hot women, so they have to be good.


Fascinating. In so much as non sequiturs go.

Do you often find yourself drilling in the wrong tooth?

There is a rubber snubber that goes on the tube. maybe Bass Pro shops or
Cabelas carries them. OR try Champion trailers.
Bill


Thanks, Bill, I'll check on that.

Donny

1974 Trojan Sea Raider 25'

www.picturetrail.com/sixbennetts

http://thebayguide.com/rec.boats/donny_bennett.html

My boat/trailer is heavy--12,500LBS. I have a triple
trailer with stainless discs with an electric over hydraulic
controller. Having used surge on numerous trailer, I would never go
back--much smoother braking, and you do have braking backing down--if
wanted, none for
backing uphill unless needed. And, in some states and
where I tow in Canada, you must be able to control the towed vehicles
brakes
from the towing vehicle. I use the
Carlisle "Hydrostar" but there are others.
Good boating, Danlw.


I looked into that system when I bought my boat and trailer 4 years ago.
Thought it had interesting potential. But at that time, they didn't have
a
controller that could accommodate heavy loads (my boat/trailer is 14,200
pounds). Also couldn't find anybody in the trailer business that had any
experience with the Carlisle system. So I ended up with a traditional
surge/drum system on all three axles. Gets the job done, but I'm sure
there
are better options.

How long have you had yours?

What sort of controller do you have in the tow vehicle?

You sound pretty happy with it.


RG,
I have had it for three years. I had it on a tandom trailer with standard
drums, took it off and put the surge unit back on when I sold. Put it on
this trailer in April, have 4000 miles on the trailer. My truck has a
standard Kelsey-Hayes controler left over from a travel trailer.
I really like the ability to adjust the brakes--back them off a little for
the open road, back up for traffic and, at minimum setting, it works great
with the trailer empty--
no lock-ups. My trailer is aluminum I-beam, otherwise
I would be at about 14,000 LB also.

Happy towing! Danlw