Surge brakes are a no-brainer. You hook up the trailer and go.
When braking the weight of the trailer shifts forward to compress a master
cylinder which applies the breaks. Sounds and works simple but has
limitations as others have mentioned. Braking force of the trailer often
has to be adjusted for weight, road conditions, and weather. You don't
want to lock up trailer brakes in the rain or your trailer will want to
pass you. Same for gravel or dirt. You also may need to apply just
trailer brakes to regain control. Also as stated you can not back up a
hill with surge brakes unless they can be disabled.
The best brake controller IMHO is electric, either plumbed into the
master cylinder of the tow vehicle or using a brake controller with an
inertia sensor to measure vehicle deceleration. I use the latter type in
my suburban with very satisfactory results.
Surge brakes may be good for smaller loads like boats, but a
trailer and MGB will probably be at least 3500-4000 lbs. I feel you need
better control than with surge brakes.
A motor home should be a super tow vehicle. Stability improves the
longer your wheelbase is compared to the distance from the rear axle to the
hitch of your trailer. A fifth wheel or tractor-trailer are extreme
examples of stability because the hitch point is at or in front of the rear
axle. A short wheel base SUV with a long overhang makes a lousy tow
vehicle, even if engine etc. is up to the task. The only problem you may
have using a motor home is maneuverability. Backing up will certainly be
fun!
Add my vote to the electric brake party and leave the surge brakes
to the rental agencies.
Bob Skillman 47 TC, 68 MGC
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