Any one else heard about the law in BC that surge brakes are not legal on trailers rated for more than 2800kg (6160lbs). I sent the enclosed e-mail to the RCMP on Vancouver Island, and received the attached reply. I am now looking at some sort of electrical/hydraulic system that can be actuated from the cab like electric trailer brakes. Anyone using these?


> Dear Sir,
> I heard that boat trailers registered in the United States, and equipped with
> surge brakes, are no longer allowed to enter Canada. Is this true?
> Thank you,
> Mitch Carroll
>
Mr. Carroll:

You have been mis-informed. Surge brakes are allowed here in British Columbia
until the trailer and it's load weigh more than 2,800 kg. (lbs = kg x 2.2) At
that point, a braking system is required for the trailer that will allow the
trailer brakes to be applied separately from the tow vehicle brakes by the
driver. A surge brake does not meet this criteria and cannot be used for
heavier loads.

Hope this helps.

Tim

--
Constable Tim Schewe
Webmaster
Vancouver Island Traffic Services
Parksville, B.C.

I know electric over hydralic are availible but i don't know anything about them... I do know that Surge brakes are no longer legal( or soon will be) in WA on commercial vehicles (one tons pulling Bobcats and such) and most likely all surge brakes will go away. The article I read cited a number of problems with folks burning up their trailer brakes while compression braking... it also mentioned grandfathering in older ones or not...

From what I have been able to find, grandfathering is not an option in BC. I have a trip planned to Gold River in July and would hate to have to run the ocean all the way up.

Frankly, I think that law makes perfect sense. I know I don't want to try to stop 7000lbs with surge brakes. Gheez, what are you towing?

I've got a 27' SeaSport, and it tows and stops just fine with the surge brakes. Weighs in at about 9000# loaded for a week.

Oh great! Now I gotta go weigh my rig. I have used electrics (salt and fresh water) for the last couple of years and haven't had a problem yet. But I just got a new (used) trailer and it has surge breaks. Rats!

You know, I talked to the Sea Runner guys at the boat show and they showed me some new stainless steel/galvanized electrics. Maybe I'll look into those.

Another question; is the standard brake controller you normally have with electric brakes legal or is something else required?

I posted earlier about electric over Hyd brakes, I mis-spoke, I went by cope macpherson tonight and talked to the service guys about it...the only thing they knew was to go electric...hope you find something else

I found a website for a company that had electric actuators for hydraulic brakes, but when I tried to find it again, I had no luck. These actuators were activated by a standard electric brake control, and were good for up to 3 axles with various models. Prices were $400 to $600.

Thanks Navigator but I was talking about my existing electric brake controller if I convert the new(used) trailer to electrics. I will get serious about converting and post my findings/results.