| Author | Message | ||
| Ed Brenner (Epbrenner)
Registered Member Username: Epbrenner Post Number: 24 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 64.12.117.73 Rating: N/A |
If one was going to purchase a new trailer to haul your Harley behind your Eagle,would you get one with surge hydraulic brakes or electric brakes.With electric brakes would you use a typical automotive brake box and if so where would you pick up the bus brake signal,off of the rear air break light switch ?? | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 897 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5  Rating: N/A |
Would you even need trailer brakes for hauling your Harley? Unless you want a trailer with a GVW over 3000 lbs., they usually don't have brakes.If you are getting a much larger trailer for hauling other items also, then never mind. | ||
| Ed Brenner (Epbrenner)
Registered Member Username: Epbrenner Post Number: 25 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 64.12.117.73 Rating: N/A |
I will probably end up with a trailer with brakes 3000 or over because there will be the ocasional time that I want to tow it with my Jeep or a friend or two will want to use it and most auto or trucks should have the help of trailer brakes so why not hook them up to the bus. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 898 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
Electric brakes would be easiest since trailer would be used for other vehicles. You can tap brake signal off the brake light switch terminal. Not sure where the switch is on an MCI. Someone here can probably chime in on the exact location. | ||
| Les McDaniel (Rainbow)
Registered Member Username: Rainbow Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 75.157.120.15 Rating: N/A |
You would need a 12 Volt signal. This can be done using a 24 Volt relay activated by the brake light switch to send the 12 volts to the brake contol. The brake light switch will be in the spare tire comp. area. | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 136 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.205  Rating: N/A |
On my GMC, I could not separate the break light switch from the 24V system,since it was also tied into other 24V stuff for the DD3. So, I got a 24v relay that got it's power from the original break light bulb hot line, and turned on a 12V line I had run from the home made 12V bus system to a 12V bulb. Worked great. I expect to do the same on my MCI 7. I will also run power for electric brakes for my trailer. Also keep in mind that you may need to convert from a 5 wire tail light system to a 4 wire system. Cars and trailers brake and turn circuits are on the same line, MCI's and GMC's are seperate. Draw-tite makes a converter box. If all of your tail lights are converted to 12V, all of those 5 hot lines go in on side of the box, and 4 come out the other to your trailer plug on the bus. Good Luck! | ||
| Leland Bradley (Lee_bradley)
Registered Member Username: Lee_bradley Post Number: 28 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 138.163.128.41 Rating: N/A |
I would go with surge brakes. | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 232 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
I've used both electric and surge brakes with my truck and found the surge brakes to be better at adjusting for the varying stopping conditions. And the surge brakes are contained on the trailer and work with any vehicle that pulls it. The only other type I had was an electric set-up that was triggered by the hydraulics of the braking system. This provided higher/lower voltage to the brakes depending on the braking pressure. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 298 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.56.82 Rating: N/A |
Ed, with electric brakes you need a controller.On my Eagle I have a Hayes-Lemmerz air to electric controller they cost around 200.00 dollars at Southwest Wheel but if you watch ebay maybe you could find one cheaper | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 244 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.226.114 Rating: N/A |
To be much kinder to the roof of the coach you should consider the tow trailers with a dolly wheel tom take the tongue weight. Most folks wont load a GM over 300lbs on the tongue , you will be over that with 15% loaded fwd as recomended. FF | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 827 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 71.42.167.154 Rating: N/A |
I like the way surge brakes act, but others have voiced a legitimate concern with a) backing a surge brake trailer uphill with a stick and b) using them with a jake on a sharp downgrade - FWIW FF - most trailer manufacturers that I have knowledge of recommend a tongue weight of no less than 10% or more than 15% up to 1000# to 1500# respectfully - so if he keeps it to 3000# trailer weight and loads the tongue at 10% he can just squeek by - HTH | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 299 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.43.159 Rating: N/A |
Eds Eagle can have more tongue weight than a GM bus and it's 12 volt also FWIW | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member Username: Daved Post Number: 192 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 66.78.127.11  Rating: N/A |
Surge brakes are easiest if you intend to use the trailer on other vehicles. You won't need a brake controller with the 40+ feet of associated wiring, since it should be located in the driver's area, nor will you need a 12V dc source to power it. DaveD | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 246 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.229.47 Rating: N/A |
The HUGE advantage to electric brakes is they can be instantly adjusted from the drivers seat. The amount of STOP power will vary a bunch depending weather the load of scrap iron is in or out of the box. FF | ||
| Leland Bradley (Lee_bradley)
Registered Member Username: Lee_bradley Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 207.118.41.210 Rating: N/A |
That is why I prefer the surge brakes; they automaticly adjust to the trailer load. The only pain is backing up a hill then you may have to put in the lock-out pin. | ||
| Dwayne Friedrick (Snoring_bear)
Registered Member Username: Snoring_bear Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 24.65.141.204 Rating: N/A |
Similar subject, trying to trouble shoot hitch wiring on Prevost 1986 XL. One turn signal to trailer is steady on. Does any one have the wiring diagram for 12 to 24 volt relay box? The bus 24 volt markers, stop, signal etc go to this relay box where it is switches 12 volt to trailer hitch |