Surge Brakes or Electric Brake Controller for a Trailer Towed by a Motorcycle

Question

Question:

Hi- I listened to video explanation about time delayed brake controller in motorcycle application and understand the potential for skidding if brakes are set to high for road conditions, but wondering why a surge brakes are not recommended. My experience with electric trailer brakes is limited- they work well when trailer is loaded but then too sensitive when empty. My understanding of surge brakes is that there sensitivity is more adaptable to a range of trailer weights. When a motorcycle is towing trailer I think that the biggest risk is not as much stopping power of the bikes brakes but the inertial pushing effect of trailer on rear wheel of bike-causing it the bikes back wheel to slide out like a jackknifing tractor trailer. I am think that the the trailer brakes need to scrub off about 50 of trailer weight. Bike can handle the rest.

asked by: John H

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Expert Reply:

Electric brakes and brake controllers do require adjustment when the trailer changes weight due to adding or removing a load. As long as you remember to do that there is no problem with the brakes being too aggressive.

Surge brakes require a certain amount of momentum, inertia to activate the trailer brakes. The reason you do not see them on trailers towed by motorcycles is because those trailers are light and it does take a lot of pressure to activate the brakes that just isn't present in a motorcycle tow situation. The lowest capacity actuator we carry is rated for 5,000 pounds. That's not to say though that there aren't some specifically made for motorcycle trailers. There may be, but we do not carry them.

I would stick with an electric controller but I would use a proportional controller that will apply the trailer brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. The most popular proportional controller is the P2, # 90885. I have included a link to our help article on brake controllers for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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