Anyone converted surge to electric brakes?

[MeanGene1]

Working thru this Uhaul- built utility trailer, with a couple questions. It is uhaul orange, and looks uhaul, had uhaul as the manufacturer on the title, but searching around I find no reference to uhaul building trailers for sale to the public- in fact has stamped in at least 4 places "NOT owned by uhaul". Any insight? The other thing is looking actual experience, not I think or I heard etc. experience with converting one from surge to electric brakes. They don't work and leak from the MC area severely, and I'd rather spend money converting than chasing problems with the surge setup. The drums are 12x2, but the problem is that they only have a narrow flat band on the inside instead of the wide band needed for the magnets of the electric system. Shame, as the drums are in great shape. As it would seem I would have to get new drums/hubs, compare bearing sizes blah blah as well as the backing plate/ brake assemblies. Any one know of an easier way or shortcut? There's no sign of leakage inside the drums, but I suspect it's only because the brakes haven't worked in a long time lol... Thinking if I fix the surge MC setup, then I will just be chasing leaks downstream through the old wheel cylinders

 

[john in la]

The trailer was built specifically for uhaul using uhaul specs and often parts made and used specifically by uhaul. The manufacturer is who ever would do it for the best price in the year it was built often a place that only built uhaul stuff.
Example
John Deere uses a spindle on their mower. It might have bearing that measure 1.70 inches across where normal bearings are 1.75 inches.
So now the 1.75 inch bearings will not fit and John Deere only sells the complete spindle.
Uhaul does it for thief protection.

At one time uhaul never sold old equipment to curb thief even more. You saw something painted uhaul colors it belonged to uhaul.
Today they sell old equipment and stamp it not owned by uhaul.

 

[DoubleO7]

Today they sell old equipment and stamp it not owned by uhaul.

Yep.
There is a local FBMP ad here selling dozens of retired uhaul tow dollys.

 

[DoubleO7]

Thinking if I fix the surge MC setup, then I will just be chasing leaks downstream through the old wheel cylinders

I would think UHAUL used common utility trailer hardware as much as possible.

But if the axles and brakes are all special to UHAUL like John in la says, you better try finding parts for everything.
Might be able to get parts and fix the MC and then not be able to get parts to fix anything downstream.

 

[hurleyjd]

Working thru this Uhaul- built utility trailer, with a couple questions. It is uhaul orange, and looks uhaul, had uhaul as the manufacturer on the title, but searching around I find no reference to uhaul building trailers for sale to the public- in fact has stamped in at least 4 places "NOT owned by uhaul". Any insight? The other thing is looking actual experience, not I think or I heard etc. experience with converting one from surge to electric brakes. They don't work and leak from the MC area severely, and I'd rather spend money converting than chasing problems with the surge setup. The drums are 12x2, but the problem is that they only have a narrow flat band on the inside instead of the wide band needed for the magnets of the electric system. Shame, as the drums are in great shape. As it would seem I would have to get new drums/hubs, compare bearing sizes blah blah as well as the backing plate/ brake assemblies. Any one know of an easier way or shortcut? There's no sign of leakage inside the drums, but I suspect it's only because the brakes haven't worked in a long time lol... Thinking if I fix the surge MC setup, then I will just be chasing leaks downstream through the old wheel cylinders

This might be little expensive but a it should work https://www.amazon.com/Hydrastar®-E...sc=1&msclkid=80287214923d14b81c9e14d6e672bf09

 

[MeanGene1]

So far, everything looks to be common trailer stuff, 12x2 drums n backing plates etc. Was looking for someone with experience doing the conversion from surge to electric

 

[MeanGene1]

This might be little expensive but a it should work https://www.amazon.com/Hydrastar®-Electric-Hydraulic-Trailer-Mounted-Actuator/dp/B0CJWDXZT1/ref=asc_df_B0CJWDXZT1?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920943059202&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520408655261&psc=1&msclkid=80287214923d14b81c9e14d6e672bf09

Thanks but yeah, almost what I paid for the trailer, and still uses the juice actuation. Electrics are pretty easy if you have the right drums, which I do not- but the backing plate assemblies are pretty reasonable

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Replace the surge master with an electric-over-hydraulic master cylinder.

It might be cheaper to replace the axles entirely. As it is a u-haul trailer it is unlikely that anything is standard. My expectation is standard backing plates won't bolt to the flanges on the u-haul axles.

 

[MikeinKy]

I think that years ago uhaul used an ood ball like 2 1/4 I think to cut down on theft. A friend maybe 50 years rented one and had to use their ball

 

[showcrop]

The shortcut is replacing complete axles. I'll bet they are a lot cheaper than you think.

 

[Ray,IN]

re: U-haul trailers, this is on their website-
"The curb weight of your tow vehicle must be at least 80% of the loaded weight of the trailer"

 

[Ray,IN]

As showcrop said, buy new or used complete axles, then all you have to do is run the electric brake wiring. I wire electric brakes differently than most mfgrs. I split the brake wire just after the trailer plug and run wires of equal length along each side of the trailer frame, to the magnets. This insures all brake magnets receive the same voltage and amperage.