Characteristics and Applications of Trailer Surge Brake Systems

The rapidly increasing number of passenger car trailers using public highways has focused attention on trailer brake systems. One of these systems, the surge or momentum actuated type, has received particular attention because it offers automatic trailer braking inherently synchronized with different deceleration rates of the towing vehicle as well as with different gross trailer weights. This system presents new considerations that must be evaluated in establishing overall system performance and extent of application. This evaluation is described here.