Information on Surge Brakes for Trailers
Surge brakes are a type of brake system that is used on trailers. Surge brakes provide additional braking power which reduces the strain on the tow vehicle as well as the chances of a trailer jackknifing during a sudden stop.
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Surge Brake Operation
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Surge brakes use a sensor that is attached to the trailer's tongue. When the towing vehicle slows, the momentum of the trailer causes it to push forward against the towing vehicle. The sensor detects this force and activates the brakes. The amount of braking force that the system applies is proportional to the amount of force exerted on the sensor. This means that as the rate of deceleration increases, so does the force that the surge brakes provide.
Alternative Brake System
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The alternative to surge brakes is electrical brakes, which operate in a similar manner to automobile brakes. The brakes engage when the brake pedal inside the vehicle is depressed. Electrical brake systems require proper hookups on the towing vehicle to operate.
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Uses of Surge Brakes
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Surge brakes are most common on boat trailers and rental trailers. Surge brakes are used on boat trailers as the trailer is often submerged in water which can damage electrical brake systems, and they are also common on rental trailers as many vehicles do not have the required electrical hookups to run electrical braking systems.
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References
- Photo Credit camping,trailer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
