Trailer Tongue Clunk

[SteveRay]

This is my first trailer with brakes (disk)
Is there an adjustment I can make to elimnate this? When I slow/stop the force causes the brake to engage and then when I go to take off there is a huge clunk....which I imagine is th trailer tongue sliding back out......Is this normal?
Should I adjust something?

Thanks guys!

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

This is my first trailer with brakes (disk)
Is there an adjustment I can make to elimnate this? When I slow/stop the force causes the brake to engage and then when I go to take off there is a huge clunk....which I imagine is th trailer tongue sliding back out......Is this normal?
Should I adjust something?

Thanks guys!

If you are having this when you take off, the brakes are not working and letting the slack come forward.
If you have "clunk" when applying brakes, then the brakes should be working.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

also lube up the sliding tongue

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

make sure the actual coupler is properly adjusted to the ball, there is a nut on the underneath side. gradual smooth take offs can eliminate the clunk. eazy on the gas pedal. remember you have a sliding, member that activates the brakes, and releases them.

 

[JB]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

Seems to me that there should be an adjustable spring that the trailer weight must overcome to apply the surge brake. That spring should release the brake and shove the slide back when the rig has stopped.

Sounds like that is not happening and the tow vehicle has to release the surge brake as it pulls away, making a clunk.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

Surge brake systems usually have a small shock absorber in them to absorb the start/stop forces. But a simple spring will not force the tongue back out with the force of the trailer acting against it. You have some slop in the receiver, coupler-to-ball, and the brake system. As you stop, forward motion of the trailer actuates the brake system which then pulls this slack out of the system. When you take off that slop is taken up in the forward direction. There isn't much you can do other than tightening the ball mount fit in the receiver, and adjusting the coupler nut. If the hydraulic system is not working, you will get a substantial clunk as the master cylinder is not presenting any braking action so the surge linkage is just banging on the stops.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

Ayuh,...........

If you're getting that kind of Clunk,.........
Chances are, the Brakes either need Bleeding, or Adjusting......

When everything is up to Snuff,......
The actuator shouldn't be travelng far enough to Clunk............

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

How old is the trailer? If it is close to or more than 10 yrs old, the chances are the dampers in the coupler are worn out. I just replaced mine for the same reason.
--
Stan

 

[Esox]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

Last year I replaced the shock and master cylinder in the Attwood actuator on my trailer. Mine also clunks when pulling away from a stop. I think it's normal for some actuators.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

The trailer is a 2005 Shorelandr. I only get the clunk when moving after a stop and never on the actual stop itself.
I appears that the brakes are working since I forgot to put the lockout in and couldn't budge the thing...Duh.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

Surge brake systems usually have a small shock absorber in them to absorb the start/stop forces. But a simple spring will not force the tongue back out with the force of the trailer acting against it. You have some slop in the receiver, coupler-to-ball, and the brake system. As you stop, forward motion of the trailer actuates the brake system which then pulls this slack out of the system. When you take off that slop is taken up in the forward direction. There isn't much you can do other than tightening the ball mount fit in the receiver, and adjusting the coupler nut. If the hydraulic system is not working, you will get a substantial clunk as the master cylinder is not presenting any braking action so the surge linkage is just banging on the stops.

How do I adjust the coupler nut?? and tighten the ball mount ?

 

[wire2]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

How do I adjust the coupler nut?? and tighten the ball mount ?

It's the same operation. Lift the tongue up a couple of feet so you can work under the coupler. You'll see the holding lip held by a hex nut. Lift the mechanism up off the nut and tighten a bit with a socket wrench. Then test fit on a ball. If the lever won't close, it's too tight. When you get the right tension it won't have any play.
The nut is held from turning by the contour of the lip.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Trailer Tongue Clunk

gotcha....Perfect fit right now. Still get the clunk from the tongue extending back out on take off, there is about a 2-3" slide for the tongue to actuate the brake and that is surely where it's coming from.
Thanks guys.