Best Electric Actuator Kit Recommendation for Boat Trailer with Surge Brakes

Question:

looking to buy a new to me, boat this winter. Most likely be on a double or even triple axle trailer and be in the 6500 to 11,000 lb range 28 to 30 foot bayliner. Most of these older boats mid 90s if and when they are on a trailer, are all surge brakes. I am most definitely looking to change out to disc electric and would also like to incorporate the newer oil bath hubs as well, I have heard good things about both and towing something that heavy just makes sense from the get go. I can do and am planning on doing the change-over myself. I know Kodiak makes a brand of change over disc products for this purpose but do their designs also include the oil bath hubs? What direction can you steer me? And anything I am missing? I understand I will be needing the axle rating and pattern but trying to get a rough idea for cost planning and negotiating on overall price. Thanks!!!!

asked by: Bill W

Expert Reply:

You are on the right track, but as long as you are able to find the axle capacity you want in a grease hub setup there's no advantage to going with an oil-bath setup. The big factor for me is that if you blow a grease seal you'll be able to get home no problem and fix it without further damage. With an oil bath setup if you blow a grease seal you basically have to stop where you are at and fix the hub otherwise you'll start causing damage. Reason being that the oil is going to drain out immediately leaving you without having any lubrication which will quickly cause damage. Most likely even before you know it happens.

I attached a help article that will walk you through how to pick out the correct hud/drum assemblies for the trailer you end up with but for an electric over hydraulic actuator setup the HydraStar kits are the best. They are the most reliable and they are the quickest reacting to braking action so they win easily. For a kit that would be ideal for a trailer with surge brakes you'd want the part # HS381-9067. This basically comes with all of the electric components the trailer wouldn't have and would need which you can use the current brake lines with. I also attached an install video for this too.

expert reply by: Jameson C