On Tue, 10 Jan 2017 11:44:57 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

I've always had trailer brakes on the car trailer, horse trailer and
boat trailers. Adjusted properly with the controller, they put little
or no extra stopping capability requirement on the tow vehicle. Surge
brakes on boat trailers are a little "iffy" though.


Brakes on boat trailers are iffy no matter what. If you are dunking
them in salt water, they don't last very long.