Car dolly brakes?

[ralph d. edelbach]

I've located two used car dollies to use with my motor home but need
some info before making a decision which one to buy. They are comparable
except that one is equipped with "surge" brakes which I understand since
I once owned an Apache equipped with them while the other unit has
"electric" brakes.

I need some info about electric brakes. Is there any inherent advantage
of one type over the other? Are electric brakes more complicated in
terms of repairs than conventional hydraulic ones? Any other tips which
might help me make a decision would be appreciated.

I'd like to make a decision in the next day or so and buy the "best" one
so I'm looking some help ASAP. Many thanks in advantage to all those
experienced "towers" out there.

 

[patrick flowers]

>
> I've located two used car dollies to use with my motor home but need
> some info before making a decision which one to buy. They are
> comparable except that one is equipped with "surge" brakes which I
> understand since I once owned an Apache equipped with them while the
> other unit has "electric" brakes.
>
> I need some info about electric brakes. Is there any inherent
> advantage of one type over the other? Are electric brakes more
> complicated in terms of repairs than conventional hydraulic ones? Any
> other tips which might help me make a decision would be appreciated.

My preference is electric brakes, possibly because I have more
experience with them. The main downside with electric brakes is that
they require modification(albeit slight) to the tow vehicle brake
system. In my trailer towing days(30ft Holiday Rambler), it was SOP to
"tap" the trailer brakes on the way out the driveway to be sure
everything is functioning. It's difficult to get the same type of
feedback from surge brakes. As Arch has already said, it's nice to be
able to apply the trailer brakes to stop a fishtail when an 18 wheeler
blows by you. The biggest drawback to surge brakes, IMO, is that they
make it very difficult to back uphill.

That's my $.02,
Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com