Which is better for a boat trailer: surge brakes or electric brakes?

At Venture, all of our trailers come equipped with surge disc brakes as standard, because they provide reliable stopping power, are simple to maintain, and don’t require special equipment in your tow vehicle. For the vast majority of boat owners, surge brakes are the most practical and effective option.

Surge Disc Brakes (Our Standard)

• Self-contained system — no in-cab brake controller needed
• Simple and reliable for launching, towing, and ramp use
• Ideal for most boat sizes (light to medium loads)
• Corrosion-resistant disc design extends brake life, especially in saltwater
• Why we recommend them: They provide excellent braking performance at an affordable cost, which is why we equip them on all our trailers.

Electric-Over-Hydraulic (Premium Upgrade)

For boaters with very large boats, heavy loads, or frequent long-distance towing, we offer EOH braking systems as a premium upgrade.

• Provides finer control and more stopping power
• Requires a brake controller in the tow vehicle
• Higher cost and more setup compared to surge brakes

Only about 3% of our customers choose EOH, because for most recreational boaters, surge disc brakes already provide everything they need for safe and dependable towing.

Bottom Line
If you’re towing a typical recreational boat, surge disc brakes are the best fit—reliable, proven, and standard on all Venture trailers. Consider **EOH only if you’re towing heavy boats frequently and want maximum braking control.