Surge brakes pin location on trailer

[frey7190]

Hey guys -

I bought a boat that came with an Attwood Surge Brake Actuator, the previous owner told me no pin was required for the surge brakes to work. I drove it home last week from the marina where I bought it only to find my truck doing the majority of the braking. Going down a decending grade of roadway I noticed my truck brakes were getting a bit hot. (Yes, I was using a lower gear).

Therefore when I got it home I looked all around the trailer coupler and saw an area where I think one would go. Can you guys confirm if this does require a pin, and where I would put it. Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Hey guys -

I bought a boat that came with an Attwood Surge Brake Actuator, the previous owner told me no pin was required for the surge brakes to work. I drove it home last week from the marina where I bought it only to find my truck doing the majority of the braking. Going down a decending grade of roadway I noticed my truck brakes were getting a bit hot. (Yes, I was using a lower gear).

Therefore when I got it home I looked all around the trailer coupler and saw an area where I think one would go. Can you guys confirm if this does require a pin, and where I would put it. Thanks!

Ayuh,... It don't take a pin to work,... It takes a pin to lock out the brakes so you can back up,...

Is there any fluid in it,..??

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Sure looks like a piece is missing unless that gets removed if you install a backup solenoid. Is there a backup solenoid?

Have a look here at a picture and description of operation
Atwood Actuator - 2" Ball, 3" Tongue, Weld-On - 6000 lbs Atwood Trailer Coupler 82541

Pay attention to 2:05 in the video

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Ayuh,... It don't take a pin to work,... It takes a pin to lock out the brakes so you can back up,...

Is there any fluid in it,..??

Uh - wrong type of coupler for that advice

 

[frey7190]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Thanks for the responses guys,

It looks like the reverse lockout switch is completely missing, which is odd. Does this mean i need to buy a new trailer coupler?

I do have brake fluid in the tank, but when I stop the trailer seems to have the truck do all the stopping for it.

Also, this trailer is a 4-pin, which really sucks because I have a 7 pin and brake controller on my truck which I cannot use on this trailer.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Thanks for the responses guys,

It looks like the reverse lockout switch is completely missing, which is odd. Does this mean i need to buy a new trailer coupler?

I do have brake fluid in the tank, but when I stop the trailer seems to have the truck do all the stopping for it.

Also, this trailer is a 4-pin, which really sucks because I have a 7 pin and brake controller on my truck which I cannot use on this trailer.

Depends, does it look like the mechanism is in there and the rod is just missing?

As for the trailer wiring, that is easy. Plenty of 7 pin to 4 pin adapters to be had for $10

iboats - also at any car parts store
http://www.iboats.com/7-4-WAY-TRAIL...4330913--session_id.046097735--view_id.931553

 

[frey7190]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Sure looks like a piece is missing unless that gets removed if you install a backup solenoid. Is there a backup solenoid?

Have a look here at a picture and description of operation
Atwood Actuator - 2" Ball, 3" Tongue, Weld-On - 6000 lbs Atwood Trailer Coupler 82541

Pay attention to 2:05 in the video

Thanks oldjeep! Before posting this thread I watched that video, it has an actual switch which goes up and down.. Mine seems to be missing it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Thanks oldjeep! Before posting this thread I watched that video, it has an actual switch which goes up and down.. Mine seems to be missing it.

Yup, so peek inside the slot and see if there is a threaded spot that it looks like you could thread one into. I suspect that the rod fell out and you could just replace it with a bolt of the correct thread. (or someone gutted the thing for some reason)

 

[frey7190]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Depends, does it look like the mechanism is in there and the rod is just missing?

As for the trailer wiring, that is easy. Plenty of 7 pin to 4 pin adapters to be had for $10

iboats - also at any car parts store
7-4 WAY TRAILER ADAPTER PLUG - Anderson Marine E5414

I use a 7to4 pin adaptor for moving it around. What I meant to say is that it is unfortunate I cannot use the trailer brake controller I have in my truck with this system because it is only a 4 pin. I have seen there is a conversion kit but its like $700 which I really don?t want to spend on it right now. lol

 

[frey7190]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Sounds good oldjeep, I am going to drive over to it and should have an answer in 30 min for you guys.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

I think that this kit has what you need to repair it

Release Handle Repair Kit for Atwood Actuator Atwood Accessories and Parts 85844

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Do you have drum or disk brakes on this trailer?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

^ +1. if you have drum brakes, did you adjust them?

I have the same actuator, and do not use the reverse lock-out function. in fact, I think the pin is rusted in location.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

I use a 7to4 pin adaptor for moving it around. What I meant to say is that it is unfortunate I cannot use the trailer brake controller I have in my truck with this system because it is only a 4 pin. I have seen there is a conversion kit but its like $700 which I really don’t want to spend on it right now. lol

Two different technologies... Your brake controller will NEVER do anything for this system, it is a surge brake system, your controller is for electric brakes.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Yep Brake controller is useless and not needed. On the other hand its good that you don't need it as you can tow this trailer with any vehicle and have brakes... IF they are working properly.

I had a PUP camper with a similar unit. Tried to back up into an inclined campsite once and could not until I got the lock out to stay in position. Every time I tried to back up a hill the brakes would lock. BUT they were adjusted properly and had no air in the system.

If you have drum brakes try adjusting them. If still no good, Try bleeding them. There could be air in the system preventing proper function.

Good luck and let us know what your find.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

There are three Common Towing Connectors

4 Pin Flat - Lights Only. (No Brake Controls)
5 Pin Flat - Lights plus Electric Reverse Hydraulic Surge Brake Brake Lockout. (Surge Brakes)
7 Pin Round - Lights Plus Electric Brake controls. (Electric Brakes)

The 4 pin Flat connector means it does not have an Reverse Lockout Solenoid.
It has a mechanical Reverse Lockout, or at least it used to have one, as it is now missing!



I suspect the coupler is in continuous Lock Out Mode and the brakes never actuate.
The Actuator Bolt should slide up in the Actuator slot during braking.

The Test...
Place a piece of 2x4 behind the trailers wheels. Attempt to back up over the 2x4s.
If the brakes are working the Actuator Bolt will slide up the slot and the brakes will lock up solid.
You will not get over the 2x4s. If you back over the 2x4s the brakes are not working. As you suspect.

 

[frey7190]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Thanks UncleWillie -

I went to check it out yesterday and noticed there is a slot for the brake lockout bolt, however I will try and see if I can just grab a bolt from my garage and use it for this weekends tow. After that I plan on purchasing the repair kit and hoping this solves my issue.

While I was looking it over yesterday I pushed the front of the receiver toward the back of the trailer and noticed the actuator bolt DOES slide up about 1/2 inch before it stops letting me push. I took the brake fluid cap off while doing this and noticed the fluid begins to move around inside. What I will do tomorrow is adjust the DRUM brakes and see if they just need to be expanded outward. Ill also try to reverse it with some 2x4s and see what happens.

Thanks guys!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

I suspect he the lockout mechanism is in the down position.
When you manually operated the actuator and it stopped after 1/2 inch,
did it feel like it hit a hard metal stop or a little softer like brake pressure was building up?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge brakes pin location on trailer

Don't be terribly surprised if you find the wheel cylinders frozen....common issue.

Where in socal?