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06-12-2021, 02:14 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 28A
State: California
Posts: 431
THOR #21941
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Tow Dolly Surge versus Electric Brakes
First question which is better? Surge or electric brakes on your tow dolly. Our 2021 FW 28A only has the 4 pin trailer connector (why not 7, THOR?). Electric brakes means I have to find the brake controller connector (if there is one) on the Chevy Express 4500 Cutaway chassis and rewire back to the trailer hitch.
Second question: Is the brake controller prewired and hiding under the dash? Anyone find it?
This forum is great! Learned a lot here!
__________________
Wayne & Elissa
2021 THOR Four Winds 28A
Fallbrook, CA
Watchdog hardwired EMS, Alignment, Roadmaster front sway bar, vent covers, Dew Gutter
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06-12-2021, 02:28 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,778
THOR #1469
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Surge brakes on a tow dolly work. With the issues you are having surge brakes would be the way to go.
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06-12-2021, 02:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 28A
State: California
Posts: 431
THOR #21941
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS
Surge brakes on a tow dolly work. With the issues you are having surge brakes would be the way to go.
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That's what I'm thinking. I plan on dolly towing a Nissan Rogue which comes in about 3500#.
__________________
Wayne & Elissa
2021 THOR Four Winds 28A
Fallbrook, CA
Watchdog hardwired EMS, Alignment, Roadmaster front sway bar, vent covers, Dew Gutter
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06-12-2021, 02:38 PM
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#4
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Yup surge brakes makes it easy peasy.
Been using an EZE-Tow dolly for a good 6 years now. Just replaced the tires on it due to age. Towed 5 different vehicles on it (2 Escapes, C-Max, Bolt, Focus Electric) all cars where in the 3600+ lbs range (I think the C-Max was the heaviest probably closer to 3800lbs.)
Check the brake fluid in the reservoir at least once a season and you'll be good to go. (yeah and keep an eye on the tires.)
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06-12-2021, 02:39 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,778
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by waynetaylor55
That's what I'm thinking. I plan on dolly towing a Nissan Rogue which comes in about 3500#.
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For that vehicle I would look at a Master Tow 80. Up to 4750 lbs and tracks great. I towed with one for 3 years and over 5000 miles.
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06-12-2021, 03:31 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: challenger 37FH
State: Delaware
Posts: 696
THOR #13399
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American Car Dolly here, 4 pin connection brake controller on Dolly ez, 3yrs old now bought a new nissan rogue last year didn't have to change anything. Owner of the company answered the phone and delivered it for free, from Colorado to hershey Pennsylvania.
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06-12-2021, 03:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: S.O.B.
State: Florida
Posts: 684
THOR #14543
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS
For that vehicle I would look at a Master Tow 80. Up to 4750 lbs and tracks great. I towed with one for 3 years and over 5000 miles.
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Ditto. We used a Master Tow 80 with surge brakes towing a Hyundai Santa Fe for four years until we bought a Jeep. Never had a problem with it, and the brakes worked well even in mountain areas.
__________________
Ed
Some Other Brand w/2020 Jeep Gladiator Toad
Living The Dream in "God's Waiting Room"
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06-12-2021, 03:51 PM
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#8
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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06-12-2021, 04:11 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Omni SV34
State: Colorado
Posts: 23
THOR #22921
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Demco KarKaddy X towing ‘21 Chevy Bolt behind ‘22 Omni a breeze!
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06-12-2021, 04:13 PM
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#10
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cupajoe147
Demco KarKaddy X towing ‘21 Chevy Bolt behind ‘22 Omni a breeze!
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The Bolt makes for an awesome toad. Charge up at the campground and good to go.
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06-12-2021, 05:32 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Missouri
Posts: 2,327
THOR #6903
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I use a Stehl with surge brakes when taking the Escape instead of flat towing the F150
I have a 7 pin and controller but the surge is simpler and they work great
Towed it over the Rockies on almost every pass several times over the years
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06-24-2021, 01:39 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Ace 29.1
State: Ohio
Posts: 7
THOR #18432
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Quote:
Originally Posted by waynetaylor55
First question which is better? Surge or electric brakes on your tow dolly. Our 2021 FW 28A only has the 4 pin trailer connector (why not 7, THOR?). Electric brakes means I have to find the brake controller connector (if there is one) on the Chevy Express 4500 Cutaway chassis and rewire back to the trailer hitch.
Second question: Is the brake controller prewired and hiding under the dash? Anyone find it?
This forum is great! Learned a lot here!
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Only one problem with surge brakes, if the trailer starts to sway or your going down a hill, surge brakes only come into play when your braking. No individual control like you get with electric brakes. Also you can control the amount of braking force with electric for more control. They are more expensive and require more components but much better safety.
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06-24-2021, 01:46 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: North Carolina
Posts: 13
THOR #23934
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By the way, in case you do want a brake controller, I have had success in the past using this wireless brake controller with my travel trailer. Worked perfectly and no need to tap into or run wiring.
https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-9025...a-436206402953
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06-24-2021, 01:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tuscany 42GX
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,158
THOR #9178
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrfixitman
Only one problem with surge brakes, if the trailer starts to sway or your going down a hill, surge brakes only come into play when your braking. No individual control like you get with electric brakes. Also you can control the amount of braking force with electric for more control. They are more expensive and require more components but much better safety.
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I think you're confused
Tow dolly behind a motor home is completely different than towing a trailer behind due to weight distribution
No issues at all and most folks would decrease speed if something was swaying thereby applying braking action
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06-25-2021, 02:35 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31D
State: California
Posts: 112
THOR #1675
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I used to tow 4 four down with a tow bar and no supplemental brakes and didn’t notice any difference between towing or not towing. Now we have a different tow vehicle and use an EZE-Tow dolly with surge brakes. It works great.
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06-25-2021, 03:38 AM
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#16
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,778
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrfixitman
Only one problem with surge brakes, if the trailer starts to sway or your going down a hill, surge brakes only come into play when your braking. No individual control like you get with electric brakes. Also you can control the amount of braking force with electric for more control. They are more expensive and require more components but much better safety.
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Used a Master Tow with surge brakes for 5 years on flat ground and through the mountains and never had a problem with swaying. Surge brakes come into play when you are slowing as well as braking. Much better safety - personal opinion and also most folks are smart enough to control their speed going downhill.
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06-25-2021, 11:37 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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A negative of surge brakes on a trailer that does not apply to dollies is backing up a hill, which can be less convenient with surge versus electric brakes. This is not a comparable issue with dollies since they are not backed up a hill under load.
P.S. — Talking of dollies, I saw my first ever Jeep Wrangler on a dolly yesterday. It was a rental dolly so likely that Jeep owner had not set it up for flat towing. It was quite stable at well over 70 MPH when he passed me.
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06-25-2021, 12:04 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,382
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance
A negative of surge brakes on a trailer that does not apply to dollies is backing up a hill, which can be less convenient with surge versus electric brakes. This is not a comparable issue with dollies since they are not backed up a hill under load.
P.S. — Talking of dollies, I saw my first ever Jeep Wrangler on a dolly yesterday. It was a rental dolly so likely that Jeep owner had not set it up for flat towing. It was quite stable at well over 70 MPH when he passed me.
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Most surge brake configurations have a reverse lock out, either electric or mechanical.
Wranglers are not supposed to be towed on a dolly: either 4 down or on a trailer. The transfer case is not engineered to have the front and rear driveshafts operating at that large a speed difference.
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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06-25-2021, 12:12 PM
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#19
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maddmike
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Another take on Controllers: I use an Intelli-Hitch.
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1624623121
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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06-25-2021, 02:07 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 28A
State: California
Posts: 431
THOR #21941
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
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I haven't seen that before. Great idea and one I might look into if I get to a four down toad someday.
__________________
Wayne & Elissa
2021 THOR Four Winds 28A
Fallbrook, CA
Watchdog hardwired EMS, Alignment, Roadmaster front sway bar, vent covers, Dew Gutter
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