I have questions about the definition of representation variety. In this book Chapter3 3.5, the author gives four models of the representation variety. I am confused about the model using the language of vector bundle.

Definition 1 (representation variety)

A representation variety of S is gauge equivalences of pairs (G-vector bundles L over the surface S, flat G-connection on L).

Definition 2 (Gauge equivalence)

Two connections on the same vector bundle are said to be gauge equivalent if the can be connected using pull back of some lift of the identity map.

What confused me is the definition 2. In order to use gauge equivalence in the definition of representation variety, Why we need to restrict the definition to the same vector bundle?

In other words, can we say that every flat R-vector bundle over the surface is trivial ( where R is the real number field)?

I have questions about the definition of representation variety. In François Labourie's book "Lectures on representations of surface groups", Section 3.5, the author gives four models of the representation variety. I am confused about the model using the language of vector bundles.

Definition 1 (representation variety):

A representation variety of $S$ is gauge equivalences of pairs ($G$-vector bundles $L$ over the surface $S$, flat $G$-connection on $L$).

Definition 2 (Gauge equivalence):

Two connections on the same vector bundle are said to be gauge equivalent if the can be connected using the pullback of some lift of the identity map.

What confused me is definition 2. In order to use gauge equivalence in the definition of representation variety, why do we need to restrict the definition to the same vector bundle?

In other words, can we say that every flat $\bf R$-vector bundle over the surface is trivial (where $\bf R$ is the real number field)?