Surge Brakes

[rickasbury]

While I'm concentrating on my trailer, which has surge brakes, is there any service to the coupler? I don't recognize looking at it any wear items- I know it goes back and forth as brakes are applied but is there something there that will wear out? There is a grease zerk there where it slides which i have hit with the grease gun.

 

[Scott Danforth]

yes, the fluid needs changing about every 5 years

the slide pads wear

and the shock may or may not be working as they only last a few years

if the MC in the coupler is bad, you can replace them.

 

[Lou C]

Some like the Tie Down have grease fittings for the sliding portion that you can grease once a year. They also sold rebuild kits for these which of course I have one in the garage!
Bleeding out the brake fluid is a good idea every 5 years.

 

[bajaman123]

The entire master cylinder assembly (the part that makes the brakes, brake) is housed there. It's always a good idea to have a spare one complete/ready to go. The back-up lockout (various mechanisms from simple locking lever to electric solenoid operation) should be inspected and lubed annually. Of course, CHECK the brake fluid before every trip...the master cylinder caps have a tendency to leak around the gasket, allowing both brake fluid to come out as well as water to go IN.

 

[Lou C]

my garage is literally clogged with spares for the boat, and 2 old Jeeps.
trailer:
master cylinder repair kit
spare bearings
spare drum brake backing plates
spare U bolts, various fittings, etc.
Boat:
Cobra drive system
transom mount
tilt n trim cylinders
trim lines
shift cable
shift cable setting tools
power steering pump and actuator and lines
complete spare drive
Y pipe
many small parts, gaskets, o rings etc
Engine
oil filters, fuel filters, belts, hoses
2 spare carburetors (one Holley, one Edelbrock)
2 spare Carter fuel pumps
fuel line, anti siphon valves, etc
it's a neurosis lol.

 

[rickasbury]

my garage is literally clogged with spares for the boat, and 2 old Jeeps.
trailer:
master cylinder repair kit
spare bearings
spare drum brake backing plates
spare U bolts, various fittings, etc.
Boat:
Cobra drive system
transom mount
tilt n trim cylinders
trim lines
shift cable
shift cable setting tools
power steering pump and actuator and lines
complete spare drive
Y pipe
many small parts, gaskets, o rings etc
Engine
oil filters, fuel filters, belts, hoses
2 spare carburetors (one Holley, one Edelbrock)
2 spare Carter fuel pumps
fuel line, anti siphon valves, etc
it's a neurosis lol.

Lol...love to hear what the admiral thinks about that!

 

[Lou C]

Well I tell he that’s why you have money in the bank; I fix my junk! Can’t have it both ways lol.
Sure
I’ll get rid of the old junk:
New boat $55,000
New tow vehicle $55,000
Or, would you rather see the $110,000 in the bank/retirement etc lol

 

[rickasbury]

yes, the fluid needs changing about every 5 years

the slide pads wear

and the shock may or may not be working as they only last a few years

if the MC in the coupler is bad, you can replace them.

So if the shocks are wore out, the slides are worn, rebuild or replace? I'd like to fix it. The MS i believe is fine...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Check prices

Usually repair is less than replacing if you do the work yourself

 

[Lou C]

See if you can get parts and how parts prices compare to a new unit. I have all the parts to rebuild for my Tie Down 66 but the only thing it ever needed was a new breakaway cable. I installed that actuator 22 years ago!