Showing my Tri-axle Trailer some TLC . . .

[bruceb58]

That's why I used quotes. The concern expressed was around excessive hydraulic compliance (softness) in the brake system, thus resulting in greater master cylinder stroke to achieve a given pressure, be it via brake pedal stroke on a car or surge brake actuator stroke on a trailer. Sounds like that all rubber lines are fine on a trailer. Mine has mostly metal lines, so I don't have that experience.

There is no benefit having hard lines in a trailer system...there will be no softness bad enough to change the braking effectiveness with all the "slop" that already exists in the braking system. The max pressure is still applied and that is after various mechanical linkages add their delay to the system. Even if you have an EOH system like I have on my boat and travel trailer. The 1/2 second it takes to pressurize the brake system fully by the EOH pump(even with disc brakes) is far more than any resilience in the brake lines because they are rubber.

 

[tpenfield]

Quick Update . . .

I'm good with the brake lines as-is. I exercised the surge brake actuator and got the brakes locking up after a few pumps, since the calipers were fully retracted during the repair work.

I got a couple of marker lights out, so I'll get some new ones. . . . but the trailer is pretty much ready to go.

 

[Scott06]

Quick Update . . .

I'm good with the brake lines as-is. I exercised the surge brake actuator and got the brakes locking up after a few pumps, since the calipers were fully retracted during the repair work.

I got a couple of marker lights out, so I'll get some new ones. . . . but the trailer is pretty much ready to go.

if the hoses aren't cracked leave them alone . Bigger question and may have missed it on here - how do you liek the boat with OBs

 

[Lou C]

I’m thinking that they may have gone with the hoses to avoid corrosion with steel brake lines although the stainless steel lines I installed in 2004 still look like new!

 

[tpenfield]

The actuator is a DEMCO 12.K lb So, it might be a little on the light side for the typical load 13,500 lbs. I think the next one up the food chain is 16K lb rated.

I put stainless steel lines on my sailboat trailer way back when . . . They probably outlived the trailer