Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

[Mkos1980]

When I purchased the boat, apparently the lines went bad and he had run them on top of the beams to the rear and that was it. I would like to redo it as it came from the factory I can insert the lines from the tounge and go to the rear axle but how am I suppose to go though the little grommet and pull it out by the axles? Or do I insert it though the grommet and bend a little everyt ime I push it though and keep doing it till it appears at the tongue? Trailer is a duel axle 1990 Vanguard single surge drum with a DICO 60 hitch. Thanks!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

I would think it would have to go from the front of the trailer back.Then the problem will be coming out of the frame at the axle.You may need to cut a larger hole to fish the line out.It would be much faster just attaching the lines on the inside of the frame rail.Bending a line without a tubing bender will just collapse it.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

OK sounds good. How do they do it at the factory?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

Thats a good question.. You could probably still do it but it would be a pain.
I think nice and neat along the inside rail of the frame with metal brake line clips holding it down would be the way.Depends on how pretty you want to make it..

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

You buy a spool of bare wire. You form a small loop at the leading end and push the wire through the grommet and down the frame. When you have pulled the leading end out of the frame. Go back to the front and tie on a length of cord. Now pull the cord through. Remove the wire from the cord, tie the cord onto the new brake line. Have someone guide the line while you pull the cord. An electricians fish tape works for this as well but if you don't have one, a spool of stiff wire is cheap at most home improvement stores.

 

[wire2]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

A 25 foot steel fish tape is $14.89 at Lowe's.
50 footers on eBay for $2 plus shipping.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

Man I just did that. You buy a 25' roll at autozone, they have some line thats super bendable you don't need a bender at all just use you hands. I fed mine through the 1" diam. hole back by wheel it's easier than you think just put some tape over the end of the tube so you don't pack it with rust on the way through. I have my own tool for double flares. If your try to run the line that already has a fitting then it will be a challenge cause the fitting will keep hanging you up.

 

[Hashi]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

Try this. On very difficult feeds, electricians will use a lightweight string, like nylon string and use a vacuum. Help feed the string through hole as you vacuum. Use the small hole to feed string and vacuum from larger opening. Make sure you close any other holes with duct tape which may cause you to lose some suction. Loop wires and string and wrap with electricians tape starting with the feed end first. Make sure it's small enough to feed through the small opening. Tape over wire ends to prevent it from getting hung up on anything inside the tubing and hole. You may have to use a three foot piece of yarn or yarn ball as a leader for the nylon thread.

 

[wncrjb]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

I'm curious..... I am assuming you are using a steel brake line....

after you get the brake line through the enclosed area, how do you keep it secure so it won't rub, chaf, vibrate and break?

wncrjb

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

I'm curious..... I am assuming you are using a steel brake line....

after you get the brake line through the enclosed area, how do you keep it secure so it won't rub, chaf, vibrate and break?

wncrjb

How does the factory do it? Theres nothing holding the factory line in there.

 

[wncrjb]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

How does the factory do it? Theres nothing holding the factory line in there.

I know that, but doesn't it make sense that it would vibrate and rub, causing a stress crack?

wncrjb

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

I know that, but doesn't it make sense that it would vibrate and rub, causing a stress crack?

wncrjb

Theoretically yes but how many thousands of miles would you have to run the trailer before that happens? The trailer is already 17 years old, the new lines will most likely outlive the frame.

Push and/or pull the line from the tongue to the hole without the grommet in it. When you get it to the grommet hole, use a coat hanger to hook it out.
Don't bend the line anymore than required to get it thru the hole.
Might want to smear the line with high temp bearing grease before putting it inside the frame. Will help it slide thru and help prevent corrosion.
Even tho the line will be SS or galvanized steel.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Fishing brake lines through trailer frame.

They break all the time from running through the frame. That is why you shouldn't bother. If you still do, make sure you use stainless or the line will rust out in the water that always gets trapped in tube type trailer frames.