Need advice

[san dimas]

Re: Need advice

My Ford Escape manual says I can tow up to 3500#, but it also says the electrical system is not equipped to accommodate electric brake systems. Does this mean I cant' put electric brakes on, or does it mean the connectors for the brakes are not there but can be added ?

 

[san dimas]

Re: Need advice

Im going to go look at it tomorrow and if it looks solid I'll most likely bring it home. Thanks for all your help!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Need advice

Just make sure to wire the power source for the e-brakes into the battery or a good junction block under the hood.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Need advice

The owner says the trailer doesn't have E-Brakes because the boat is light. He towed it with a Honda Civic. How hard is to convert a trailer to electric brakes?

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Need advice

In your situation I'd go with electric and not surge. About $100 more but you have more control~~ can activate the trailer brakes without the truck brakes. The mention of 'hills' made that come to mind. I towed 7200# with a Ford Ranger and did not want the truck brakes to get warm or get all the wear from holding the boat until the surge kicked in.

The owner says the trailer doesn't have E-Brakes because the boat is light. He towed it with a Honda Civic. How hard is to convert a trailer to electric brakes?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Need advice

depends... if the axle has the flanges for brakes it is an easy bolt on procedure... if not then either minimal welding or a new axle is required

 

[san dimas]

Re: Need advice

Well, I went out today and looked at the boat. Nice clean boat, but when he started the engine the gimble bearing was making a lot of rumbling noise. Also there was some water under the floor hatch which could of been from a recent rain. No test on the water so as far as I know it could leak. On the way home I talked to my local merc dealer and he said that the gimble might just be the tip of the ice berg. Also the tires on the trailer were almost flat and a little weather checked and no spare tire. I don't want to drive on Sothern California freeways like that. So I think I'll continue my search for another boat. Thanks for all your help.

 

[QC]

Re: Need advice

FWIW, I am guessing the rumble was u-joints. Was the drive tilted up?

 

[san dimas]

Re: Need advice

Yes the drive was tilted up. Are you saying the fix might not be so bad?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Need advice

the "fix" might be nothing more than tilting the drive down

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Need advice

Sounds like a good move! Be comfortable no matter how much or how little your choice needs.