How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

[Mule Laker]

2007 Glastron trailer. It got the once over from the dealer and one of the points he made was I may want to bleed the brakes. How can I check if they are working? I'm not sure how to activate them in the driveway. I guess if I could do that I could bleed them. I've done many brake jobs including new lines on many vehicles I've just never had surge brakes before.

I guess I'm wondering more about the specific bleeding process. There is fluid present. I could drive around and use my laser pointer temperature gun thingy. That seems like a bit of a hassle.

 

[blouderback]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

One surefire way to test is to hook it up to the truck, find a lonely stretch of road, and hit the brakes hard. I have the exact same trailer (it's actually an "Easy-Loader"), and the brakes should lock up and smoke the tires.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

Or you can jack up one side of the trailer and have a helper spin the wheel as fast as they can. While spinning take a section of 2x4 and block the bottom(like with the control joint in the concrete) and use the 2x4 like a lever against the front of the tongue. it will push it in and should acuate the brakes. I can acuate mine just by pushing on the tongue with my hands.

 

[batman99]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

Find a NO traffic steep hill, park trailer (with boat) and Tow Vehicle facing down hill. Thus, weight gravity is pushing down hill - against the Tow Vehicle's hitch. Block Tow Vehicle wheels, block one trailer wheel and using a jack, simply lift the other trailer wheel off the ground. Not too high. The trailer wheel only needs to be 1/2" off the ground. And yes, be very careful with this temp jack position. With one trailer wheel off the ground, simply hand spin the trailer tire. If it still spins, then trailer brakes are NOT working. Or, not adjusted properly. re: Its pads may need adjusting. After one trailer wheel is tested, let off the jack, block that trailer wheel and jack up the other trailer wheel. When testing other wheel, compare its drag force as well. Both wheels should feel the same. re: Unable to turn (on steep hill test) and low drag on low slope hill. If low slope hill testing, ensure both wheels have same drag force. If needed, do adjust the pads (if using drum system) on either wheel - to ensure both spinning wheels have same drag force. Steeper the hill (re: more gravity force against the Tow Vehicle), the tighter the braking power...

Hope this helps…

 

[Mule Laker]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

I can acuate mine just by pushing on the tongue with my hands.

Hmm. Interesting. Pushing on the tongue you say? I thought they were actuated by something inside the coupler. Maybe that's what you meant? Or does it slide at the middle joint in the first photo?

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

The Coupler on the end of the tongue pushes/Surges forward when braking.
The disturbing part of you photo is it it looks like the actuator has never worked.
There should be witness marks in the paint where the pin and washer have been sliding in the slot.
Press the Release Tab under the coupler after hooking up to ensure the breakaway/emergency lockup has released.



What is the Make and model of Coupler/Actuator? (Not the trailer!)
Do you have Disk Brakes or FreeBacking Drum Brakes?
4 or 5 pin connector?

Use a 4 ft piece of 2x4 to manually operate the brakes.
The pin should slide back about half way in the slot, but not all the way.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

Like uncle willies drawing, I have used the chains before but you have cables and it might be a bit more difficult. thats why i suggested the concrete seem with a few nails in it to pry against. but yes the silver part should slide into the blue part. I also agree that it doesnt look like it has ever worked due to the no wear along the slotted hole edges. if the master cyl. is out of fluid and all rusted up inside it will not allow the piston to move and you will have a locked up master cyl. But yes I can acuate mine with a pair of gloves on and both hands pushing on the front edge of the coupler.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

forgot to mention, pull the black plug out and you should be abel to access the lid to the master cyl. resivor. take the lid off and have a look inside, if its rusted at all you will need to replace it and possibly the lines as well as the wheel cylinders. keep the photos coming its the best way for us to help diagnose your problems. good luck i had to totally rebuild mine when i first purchaced my boat. doing it myself to replace everything(mine are drum not disc) it was about 200 bucks from a local trailer supply house.

 

[Mule Laker]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

Okay, I tried a couple of things. I levered a 2x4 on the ground. With nothing to catch the bottom of it I couldn't get much leverage but still enough that my assistant could not turn the wheels. So the brakes are doing something and possibly even working correctly. I'm driving it to the lake tomorrow to move the boat up against the front roller. I goofed up last time I took it out (not used to a bunk trailer). Then my little Nissan is going to pull it 100 miles to Gull Lake. Should be fun!

Oh, the trailer uses a 4-pin connection and has drums. Also, the fluid looks to be topped off. When I drive it around town tomorrow I'll check each drums temperature too.

Thanks for all of the help so far!

 

[jclem]

Re: How do I check the brakes on this trailer???

That looks like a UFP brake actuator. You can easily compress this with a screwdriver, here's a link with instructions for bleeding that show how. Jack one side of the trailer off the ground, have a helper spin the tire while you actuate the pushrod, easy.

http://www.pacifictrailers.com/Brake-Bleeding-Instructions/