Is it practical to add trailer brakes to a boat trailer?

Or are you better off just buying a new trailer that already has them? Also, how do they work? Are they electric? How effective are surge brakes compared to regular brakes?Is it practical to add trailer brakes to a boat trailer?If you're not going to be doing much towing with it, just go with surge brakes. The electric brakes require a brake controller be installed on the inside of your tow vehicle. Electric brakes use magnets to force the shoes against the brake drums. They'll need a brake controller to work.



I think electric brakes work better. but I think surge brakes are okay for people that don't do much towing.



How heavy is the boat? Some very small boat trailers really don't need brakes, you know?. If you want the trailer to have brakes, it would be easier to sell the old trailer and buy a newer trailer with brakes.Is it practical to add trailer brakes to a boat trailer?uh no if the trailer need brakes on it when u bought the boat it would have had then smaller boats some stated require breaks on a trailer if the weight is over 3,000 pounds so if u needed breaks on itt it should have come with them al so if u have a newer truck most of them are already wired fore electric breaks so u wouldn't need to install a break controller ive never needed any with all the heavy loads ive pulledIs it practical to add trailer brakes to a boat trailer?Unless you have a greatly undersized vehicle towing the load, surge brakes or electric brakes should not be necessary.



Would it be nice, sure. However, do you really need to fork out hundreds in refitting costs or 1.5k for a new trailer with surge brakes?



I tow that similiar boat load size regularly with my 1986 Chevy C10 full sized truck with 350 V8 in it. As long as I'm conservative with my speed and keep extra distance from the front vehicle, I've done just fine.



What gets those towing in a heap of crap regarding accidents is rubbernecking the front vehicle. I can't count the numerous times I've seen people do that with a boat or heavy trailer behind them.