I'm looking at buying a 2006 quicksilver 10.0. I know everyone is going to tell me I don't need brakes, but I'd like to add at least surge brakes but would like to add electric brakes. Has anyone considered this or added brakes. If so what would be involved?
https://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo_trailer_brakes_and_wiring.aspx
I cant say I've ever considered adding brakes to my 10.0. I've towed it with a Jeep Wrangler and never had a problem stopping it. With that said, fully loaded the 10.0 definitely has enough weight that I can feel it if I have to stop somewhat quickly. Honestly though the Wrangler is under rated for towing the 10.0 while loaded so my point is that anything I feel is comfortably rated to tow it would have no problem stopping it.
If I were to add brakes I personally would bite the bullet and go for electric brakes. I like the level of control you have with electric over surge brakes. Having never installed them before I cant say anything about whats involved but from the instructions I've seen it looks like an average DIYer could do it.
-Sean
I sure wouldn't try to dissuade you from adding brakes to your trailer. The Quicksilver 10.0 has a GVWR of 1,500 lbs. Anytime the trailer weight gets above about 1/3 of the tow vehicle weight I would consider brakes. Many small SUVs are in that range.
But your axles may not be designed for brakes. The link that pinstriper gave above shows brakes for a 2,000 lb axle rating but no smaller and the Quicksilver is a 1,500 lb rating. Maybe the 2,000 lb, 7" brakes will fit but you need to look at the axle to see if there is a 4 bolt mounting. Or talk to LL.
If no brakes are available you could upgrade your axles to 2,000 lb units with electrics. But that is obviously much more expensive.
David
I added electric brakes to my 2011 QS 10. The Dexter axles used on the Quicksilvers have the bolt flange or whatever it's called that you need for installation. If you have doubts or questions, just crawl under there and take a picture of your axle serial number. While you're at it, take a picture of the part of the axle just behind the wheel. It should look like a square piece of metal with 4 bolt holes in it
Then you can call the Dexter people to make sure at axle supports electric brakes. Or call the etrailer folks. All are very helpful. You will also need a good brake controller installed in your tow vehicle.
It looks like a pretty straightforward installation but I had a shop do both installations for me. I think controller and brakes cost about $600 parts and labor. Totally worth it for us as we camp a lot in the mountains and our tow vehicle is a Mazda5.
Cheaper in the long run than new brakes or transmission for the Mazda! Also a lot more relaxing going down those steep grades.
The 2006 QS 10.0 I purchased has surge brakes currently. I'm not sure if they are functioning or not. I'm going to try and take it to a parking lot in the next few days and do some practice lockups to see if I can get them to engage. If not it may just need a fluid purge and change. If I'm not satisfied with the surge brakes i'm lucky because I have the 4 bolt square flanges if I want to add electric brakes! (hydraulic surge brakes are mounted on the same type of flanges as the electric ones!). E-Trailer has the assemblies for under $300 and then all I need is the wiring. I would need a new basic tongue possibly (unless I ccan use the surge type tongue), but it appears to bolt on rather easily
I added brakes to my Quicksilver 8.1. I know many on the forums say they aren't needed. I believe they allowed me to take my 5 week long trip last summer. I was just a couple of days into the trip when a deer jumped out in from of us. Even if it was just a few feet difference in stopping that is how much I missed the deer.
If I cannot get my surge brakes working i'll go with the Etrailer add ons. I already have the 4 bolt flanges and the axle designed for brakes given that the hydraulic surge brakes are on there (those are probably even more heavy duty than the electric ones). I already had a brake controller on our Subaru as well as the universal plug with the 7 pin. All I will need is the $100 in brakes and some wiring. I may need to change out the tongue and ball and remove the actuator, but that's just 4 lag bolts