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Open Roads Forum > Dinghy Towing > Supplemental Braking Systems

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wjschill

Texas

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Posted: 07/17/21 08:28am

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For those of you that use a tow dolly, which brake system do you prefer and why. I'm referring to electric vs. surge.

I'm about to to pull the trigger on a class A, and will be needing a dolly.

Thanks for your replies.

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KillingTime

zigzagrv

Nazareth, PA

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Posted: 07/17/21 08:34am

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Had a dolly with surge brakes and it was great. No special hookups and they were there when needed most. Just hook up dolly and go. Had a couple emergency braking situations and the surge brakes helped get me stopped.

Ron

2003 Gulf Stream Ultra Supreme 33'
F53 Class A
2013 Ford Edge toad

enblethen

Moses Lake, WA

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Posted: 07/17/21 09:28am

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Surge brakes!
Can be used with any rig without special equipment like brake control.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow
2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

Lwiddis

Near Mammoth, California

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Posted: 07/17/21 09:40am

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Class A camping style usually makes surge brakes the better choice.

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AMP Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Terryallan

Foothills NC

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Posted: 07/17/21 01:48pm

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Thing about some surge brake setups. You can't back up to well. some come with a pin to install to keep the brakes from coming on when backing. Other wise the tongue can compress and activate the surge brakes.

Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers

way2roll

Wilmington NC

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Posted: 07/17/21 03:28pm

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Terryallan wrote:

You can't really back up with a dolly without brakes either so it's kind of a moot point.

2020 F350 STX 6.7L Turbo Diesel
2020 FR Cedar Creek Silverback 29rw

enblethen

Moses Lake, WA

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Posted: 07/17/21 03:50pm

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I would suggest if you decide on a dolly of any type, install a small hitch on your toad so you can move he dolly around.

ferndaleflyer

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Posted: 07/17/21 05:38pm

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In over 50 years and 4 dollies I have never had one with any kind of brakes. Never had a problem but all my DPs were big enough to stop the toad. You have an entry level gasser that don't weigh much you will probably need the brakes but I also don't like surge brakes.

wjschill

Texas

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Posted: 07/18/21 04:25pm

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OP here.

Thanks for all the input. I'm leaning toward the surge brakes, as they have served me well on my boat trailers.

My only concern now is that I'm rapidly approaching 70, and I don't bend as well as I did a few years back. And, we have a fairly new Toyota, and I really don't need the extra cost of trading vehicles for a four wheel down dingy plus braking system.

Thanks again...You guys are great!

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