Surge Brakes

[AlanB]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but it is as close as I see.

I have looked on the internet, spoke with the manufacturer of the trailer, spoke to the dealer I bought the trailer from, and just am not satisfied yet that I know what I am doing.

I have a 20' goosneck trailer with surge brakes.

on top of the master is the "break away" lever.

On each side of the break away lever is a little sheetmetal "guide".

About 1/2 way up the guides, they bend in.

My lever is sitting at the "bent in" portion of these guides. It looks like you would have to pry the guides apart to get it to sit back all the way to the "back" position.

My question is, should this lever be vertical, or laid to the back, when it is not actuated.

Thanks, I will try and grab a picture to make this make more sense as well.

 

[keeney]

The break-away safety system on surge breaks usually has a latching or ratcheting mechanism. The thin little piece of wire or chain that actuates it is not enough to carry the load of the trailer - just enough to put the breaks on before it gets pulled apart.

The break-away breaks can get easily accidentally actuated by forgetting to disconnect the break-away wire when disconnecting the trailer.

It is important to properly de-activate the break-away breaks because if you pull the trailer with them on, you will quickly wear out the break pads / shoes and perhaps damage (overheat) other portions of the rotor/hub assembly.

- Rick

 

[BXMMCC]

That may be the backup gizmo. With surge brakes in the normal position (mine, at least), you can't back up a moderately steep driveway since the brakes will activate. I have to put my lever in the up position to backup. This completely disengages the brakes, so that they won't work at all. So, you have to remember to put the thing back down when you're driving!

 

[Soundguy]

The exact reason why electric brakes are so nice. It would be nice if all manufactures would just start wiring vehicles for e-brakes. I know most trucks since the late 90's are e-brake friendly, with noting more than a harness plug in.. etc.. but at the factory.. the added cost of a few electronics would be less than 100$ to have everything ship with the controller.. etc. Though.. I guess places like uhaul might throw their hands up...

Soundguy

 

[davesisk]

Hi folks:

Are there any kits available to retrofit surge brakes to trailers with no brakes? I'd assume this involves some sort of tongue piece and probably different wheel hubs, plus other parts. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[AlanB]

Yes, you can, all sorts of places have them, like e-trailer, southwest wheel, and several others. Do a google search on trailer parts and you can come up with a slew of them.

I would not reccomend it though unless you have a specific need for the surge brakes. Maybe you are towing with multiple vehichles without brake controls or you are working on a boat trailer, especially a salt water one. But if you are towing with your truck normally and it is a utility style trailer I would highly reccomend sticking to a good electronic brake control and a good set of electric brakes on an axle.

Last year when my shoes and magnets were worn out on my mowing trailer, I found I could buy complete brake assemblies cheaper than I could by magnets and shoes. I think I got them from Southwest / e-trailer.

 

[penokee]

Alan - posted this pic on another thread, but will post again here. If I'm looking at the same lever, mine is in the back position. Assume, if the trailer came loose from the hitch, small diameter chain would pull the lever forward, locking trailer brakes. If I'm wrong, appreciate comment.
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif