Trailer brake system |
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Chopper
Gold Member Joined: June-15-2006 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 821 |
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Posted: November-11-2007 at 10:57pm |
Hi all,
My original trailer for my 89 ski has drum brakes, with hydraulic lines that attache to ..... Nothing! Can anyone advise me how the hydraulic brakes work on a CC trailer.? I have the standard fixed coupling, but no way to activate the brakes. I would have assumed a slide actuator with reservior arrangement, but mine looks like it never had anything.?? Are the brakes required to assist the tow vehicle when towing, or are they only for keeping the boat stationary when the boat is parked.? Either way, I need to modify mine so they work. Any Ideas.? |
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boat dr
Grand Poobah Joined: June-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4245 |
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Chopper, remove the tires, hub/drum assy. Remove the four bolts that hold the backing plate and shoe assy. and deposit in the nearest trash can.
Unless you are pulling that boat with a toy car or truck surge brakes are not really needed. No they do not work as parking brakes, when static. |
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Root
Senior Member Joined: August-06-2006 Location: louisiana Status: Offline Points: 214 |
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I'll 2nd that. take them off and throw them in the weeds |
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RootRacing
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Chopper
Gold Member Joined: June-15-2006 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 821 |
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Thanks for the "advice", but unfortunately in AUS surge brakes are required by law for any trailer GMV over 1360 lbs.
So that means that I either need to get them working, or replace them with something that does. My truck is rated to tow 5450 lbs, so it's not an issue, but the above still applies. Are the factory brakes surge brakes of some kind, or what is their "intended" use other than trash can weights |
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bkhallpass
Grand Poobah Joined: March-29-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4723 |
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Assuming it is an 89 factory trailer, then yes, surge brakes from the factory. BKH
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Livin' the Dream
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SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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Chopper - See Champion trailer website. They sell all the parts of the brake system. I just rebuilt our trailer. Adjusting them is tricky - you need to get both sides to come on at the same time. good luck.
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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David F
Platinum Member Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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Chopper:
It seems that the PO (or someone) installed the very rare similuted trailer brake system (assuming to get past the casual authority). Anyway, I am betting that your trailer is also missing the drum brake "guts" since you stated your lines are not connected to anything. So, there are three common systems: 1. Hydraulic drum 2. Hydraulic disk 3. Electric drum I would stay away from electric as the system does not like being submerged in water and will not last long. Hydraulic drum setup with be the least expensive and easiest to install/setup, but will require more maintenance than hydraulic disks. If it was me, I would go the hydraulic disk route. Either hydraulic system will require a surge actuator. However, they are not both the same, so make sure you get the proper actuator if going the disk route. Once you decide, there are many on this site that can guide you through the process. |
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5775 |
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Chopper,
I just purchased a complete brake kit from Champion. Haven't started installing it yet but it looks to be pretty simple. Only thing I could add to David F's post is to read this linked article before deciding disc over drum as the gross weight of your boat/trailer plays heavily into which system is best for your needs. I had originally planned to go disk but it seems anything less than 3000lbs would be better suited to drums and 3000+ is the time to start thinking about disk. I'm right at that weight and after talking to the tech people at Champion I decided to go Drum. Disk or Drum I do agree that drums are a bit more of a pain because of adjusting and maintenance. If you go with disk you will also need a reverse lockout solenoid. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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87BFN owner
Grand Poobah Joined: August-25-2006 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Status: Offline Points: 2194 |
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You do not have to have the reverse lock out soleniod, you simply put the chain hook through the hole, so it will not allow the brakes to be actuated while backing up the trailer.
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5775 |
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I guess that would be ok if you didn't mind getting out and doing that each time you need to back up. Call me lazy but I don't think I'd skip putting one on for the $50. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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Chopper
Gold Member Joined: June-15-2006 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 821 |
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I haven't actually checked the "guts" yet. Might look into that this weekend when I do the wheel bearings / races. The lines are connected to the bacl of the drums and tee together on the axle, but the line from there has been cut, and there is no sign of any kind of brake actuator.? If there are infact no insides to my drums, I will probably convert to cable operated disc arrangement with slide actuation at the tow hitch. |
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87BFN owner
Grand Poobah Joined: August-25-2006 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Status: Offline Points: 2194 |
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It's really not that big of a deal. I always unplug my lights anyway, so I am already back there.
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TRBenj
Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21136 |
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You unplug the lights every time you back the boat up? Or just when you launch it? |
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87BFN owner
Grand Poobah Joined: August-25-2006 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Status: Offline Points: 2194 |
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Just when I launch, but I only had to use the hook trick for about a week until I could get a five prong plug for the trailer for the 01 sport. The trailer under the air has a different set up. Plus when I got the boat home someone had the get out so we knew how far to back it in the garage and they would slide the hook into the hole.
Besides I am not saying not to buy the soleniod, I was mearly stating that it is not a must. |
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gn6027
Senior Member Joined: October-15-2006 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 192 |
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dexteraxle.com has a ton of info on trailer brake systems, etc.
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GN6027
1987 Ski Nautique 2001 |
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jbear
Grand Poobah Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
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Hi-ya Glen...hows it goin'?
john |
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"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
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Chopper
Gold Member Joined: June-15-2006 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 821 |
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Can anyone provide a part number for the wheel cylinders.?
My brake system is good except for these. |
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David F
Platinum Member Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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I could be wrong, but I believe they are pretty much all the same (i.e universal) for a particular brake size of which you probably have 10" brakes (12" brakes use the same size cylinder). The common brand names are Attwood, Tie Down, and Titan. Look for aluminum wheel cylinders for better anti-corrosion properties.
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87BFN owner
Grand Poobah Joined: August-25-2006 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Status: Offline Points: 2194 |
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When redoing the brakes on the boat trailer I usually pull the end caps off the wheel cylenders and run a bead of permatex around it to help seal it.
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