I would not pull a V-20 behind anything without trailer brakes. I do trailer more than most people ( I have worn out 3 sets of trailer tires) but I can remember at three cases where I probably would have had a wreck without them. I do most of my pulling with a 15 passenger van on the 1-ton chassis that weighs 6300 pounds empty but I can still tell that the trailer brakes are kicking in.
Besides the safety, don't forget that you will be putting that much more wear and tear on your tow vehicle's brakes and that rotor warpage is caused by high heat so you are much more likely to have warped rotors if you do not have trailer brakes. Also, most states require trailer brakes if your trailer weighs over 3000 pounds. If you are in a wreck and it could be attibuted to lack of required equipment your liability just went way up.
I have had my rig 17 years and the only maintenance I have had to do to the brakes was replace the actuator, slave cyclinders and shoes last year. The shoes were worn totally out. I do not consider that to be high maintenance.
Unlike most people, I keep my brakes dry. I have a tilt trailer with rollers. I just back up until the water is up to the rear rims and push the boat off. I use a Powerwinch to pull it back on. It is a little extra work at the time but it saves me a fortune in trailer maintenance and I have never seen a ramp that I could not launce at.
The only thing I do not like about surge brakes is that I have had a few cases on wet roads where I could not get enough traction from the tow vehicle to actuate the trailer brakes. My brother solved the problem by putting electric brakes on his trailer. He just has to remember to unplug them when empty so he does not skid the tires too much. His rig is older than mine and he has had no maintenance to his brakes. He also keeps his brakes dry.
I'm jealous 
...
