Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

[steve forsythe]

I have a 2000 GMC sierra 1500, 4 wheel drive with an off road and towing package. My boat is a 23 foot cc with a 200 mercury. I guess it is pretty heavy but i dont know. Someone told me i need to get the brakes on the trailer fixed or my truck will get ruined. I tow the boat about 10-12 miles round trip, on average - no hills. I might take it on a long tow (300-500 miles), should i spend $550 to get them working again or can my truck handle it?

 

[JB]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

Howdy, Snatcher.<br /><br />You seem pretty sure that it would cost $550. Why is that?<br /><br />What is wrong with your brakes? You ought to be able to replace everything there with new stuff for a lot less than $550.<br /><br />Check with Champion Trailers www.championtrailers.com<br /><br />A complete kit is around $400.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

I had a trailer mech. check my bearings for me and he told me all the parts in the breaks were unusable. I guess a complete set of breaks and shoes and labor is about $500-$550.

 

[DJ]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

Purse Snatcher,<br /><br />JB is right. You can buy COMPLETE disc brake systems (including actuator) for that kind of $$$.<br /><br />This is a job you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost. At most you'll need:<br /><br />1. New wheel cylinders.<br />2. Brake linings.<br />3. Bearings.<br />4. Seals.<br />5. Drums/hubs.<br /><br />Might be a great time to switch to an all galvanized or stainless system. Maybe even disc.<br /><br />I wouldn't be pulling that rig around knowing you have faulty brakes on it. If anything happens, it's YOUR fault.

 

[aeronutt29]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

When it comes to brakes, it doesn't matter how long your trip is. What matters is how close the guy pulling out in front of you is. It might happen 200 yards from your house. IMHO, the brakes are just as important as the hitch! Don't try to cut corners on safety! <br /><br />Ron

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

When ever you get a quate over a $100.00 - PHONE around. Always get more than one price when it comes to brakes. There are many quality mechanics who use brand name brake products that will fight for your business and do a GOOD SAFE JOB.<br />Trailer brakes are very important and I have seen then end result of no trailer brakes on a big 4 x 4 1 ton dually working for a dealer a few years ago. <br /><br />That said, trailer brakes are very straight forward having just gone over my entire system. I thought I would have to see a mechanic but it was better then I expected. However, my traier was just a single axle with surge brakes. <br /><br />Brakes are a huge safety issue with that kind of weight. What happens if child rides a bike in front of you. I know what if's are dumb but it could be your family in the truck and you have to stop in hurry.<br /><br />At least you can get to your favorite spot and back home in one peice and do it again & again!<br />No good keeping your boat in top shape but you can't tow it out of the driveway.<br />That's what it's all about with a boat.

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

I think i have surge brakes also, with a fitting that takes the fluid to the drums. The tounge slides back and forth and clanks when i go or stop. $500 does sound like a lot of money for only 2 of the wheels having breaks. I dont really feel like getting under the trailer this time of year (90 degrees) so i would pay to get it done, but not that much!

 

[DJ]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

Purse,<br /><br />That's what you've got.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

All of my boating is done in South Florida and I must completely submerge my trailer in salt water every time (dual axle). I have rebuilt a bunch of surge drum brakesover the years and no matter what quality parts you get the brakes would crap out within six months despite a fresh water flush kit. Never again!<br /><br />Forgot the name but you can get disk brakes (complete) for less than quality drums. With the disks you have all around access for fresh water flushing and they work. They were easier to install than a drum brake job to boot.

 

[DJ]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

Check out: www.championtrailers.com

 

[Boatist]

Re: Do i need to fix my hydrolic brakes or not???

That is a big boat for that tow. I would not think of moving it out of the driveway without the brakes working. It could save yours or someone else Life, not to metion equipment. I replace my complete system with disc surge system from TIEDOWN for $389 2 years ago. Took me most of one day to complete the job with the boat on the trailer. Hardest parts was getting rusted bolts for backing plate off and running new stainless steel brake lines thru the trailer frame. If you have to back up hill or over a curb make sure you get reverse lock out gear.