newbie brake question

[john3931]

Being a newbie in boating I have no idea how the brakes work on the trailer. I don't know what kind of trailer it is. It is a dual axle trailer with a master cylinder mounted on the tongue. How does the braking system work and how can I find out if it works?
Also what kind of grease should I use on the wheel bearing? It has grease fittings on the spindles.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: newbie brake question

Those are called "Surge Brakes".
They work when the towing vehicle slows the hitch is compressed and that activates the master cylinder and applies the brakes.
To test them park on a down hill slope and try to back up. If its harder than it should be then the brakes are working. There is a lock out pin to eliminate the brakes so you can do this with ease. Just dont tow with the pin in.

As for the grease, there is a can of worms.
I use regular bearing grease, but others will have a different opinion on this.
I do this because at my ramp and with my trailers the tires never get wet.

You have bearing buddy's or something similar, add grease to them until the piston moves out a little not all the way. I personally dont use or like them so thats about all i know of them.

 

[SNye45]

Re: newbie brake question

More than likely your trailer has surge brakes. The name comes from how the brakes work. When the tow vehicle brakes, the trailer still "thinks" it is going forward hence "surge". The trailers unstopped motion causes the piston to move in the brake cylinder thus forcing hydraulic fluid to activate the trailers drum brakes. The only problem with this system is that the brakes work when reversing also. To prevent this happening your trailer should have a "reverse lockout" hole where you insert a metal pin thus preventing the trailer sleeve from surging forward. The important thing to remember is to remove the pin when reversing is finished otherwise the trailer will have no brakes.

I hope this brief explanation works...

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: newbie brake question

There is a lot of very good information on trailer maint. at champion trailers .com. Videos and instructions on how to fix and maintain most trailer issues you should check it out. I just had to re-do my brake system this last spring it wasn't all that bad very similar to drum brakes on a car. I noticed in your sig. you have a sunhatch 196, my second boat I ever owned was a 83 Wellcraft Sunhatch 196 which I owned for many years. Very good boat for me and my family no complaints at all I could put the kids up there when they were babies then when they got a bit older we used the cuddy to stow all of our gear for a 3-4-5 day camp trip on lake powell. Mine had the 235 horse outboard which pushed it along quite well. Good luck with your trailer post back if you have more questions...

 

[mike343]

Re: newbie brake question

If your trailer is as old as the boat--27 years--I would take it to a reputable trailer dealer and have it checked out. he can answer your questions.

 

[mike343]

Re: newbie brake question

John,

Another comment. Our last boat was a Wellcraft Sunhatch cuddy. Had it for 18 years. IMHO it is the best cuddy design there ever was. The sliding sun hatch makes it easy to get to the bow w/o steps, lets light into the cuddy, and provides a place to stand. The sliding hatch needed maintenance but it was worth it. Had to get rid of it because the three sons turned into eight grandchildren and my wife likes to go to Tahoe--no carbed two cycles.

 

[john3931]

Re: newbie brake question

Thanks for the help and the comments on my boat. I am in the beginning stages of boating. Hoping to get a few goods years out of it.