"John Gaquin" wrote in message
...

My understanding (and limited experience) with surge brakes is that a
certain [adjustable?] amount of decelerative force is required to
activate.

Years ago the surge brake trailer that I was familiar with had a spring that
kept the coupler in the non-braking position. This spring was strong enough
to keep the trailer from "riding the brakes" while going down a hill and
allowed a certain amount of backing.

I don't see that arrangement anymore. The last two trailers that I have had
certainly didn't have any sort of thing. The latest trailer has disc brakes
and they won't allow backing up unless you are backing down a hill!

I miss that spring. Don't know why they went away.

Rod