Are surge brakes always a PIA?

[lrdchaos]

I’ve had a number of boats over the years and it always seems that surge brakes need bled otherwise the trailer slams every time you brake or give it gas. I’m sending my trailer in now to have it bled. Is there something I can do, besides swapping to electric brakes, to minimize this?

 

[dingbat]

Trailer brakes are a closed loop system.
Bleeding is a one time deal unless you didn’t bleed them properly to begin with, open the system again or have a leak somewhere in the system.

Excess piston travel (worn or misadjusted brake pads) will cause issues as well

 

[alldodge]

If brakes need bleed, or do anything like you mention then they need repair. There is a shock which may also need replacement. Normally they don't need anything except inspection. In most cases the lack of use gets to them, things start to rust

Could go electric over hydraulic, or all electric if your in fresh, but those to need inspection

 

[Crosbyman]

16 years no issues with surge brakes on my 18 foot rig

 

[JASinIL2006]

I am not fond of surge brakes for just that reason, I went with electric. Like any brakes, they need maintenance, but they work well (although drum brakes probably aren't so good in salt or brackish water).

 

[tpenfield]

PIA ??? thinking it should be PITA . . .

 

[GA_Boater]

Instead of telling the shop to bleed the brakes, tell them to fix the brakes.

Do you bleed the brakes in you car or truck every year? Trailers are no different.

 

[Lou C]

If you always have to bleed each season you have a leak or a bad master cylinder in the actuator. I have the same Tie Down actuator in mine since 2004 and have replaced the wheel cylinders on the drum brakes a few times over the years. I figured out a way to make them more water resistant and the last between 4/6 seasons.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the only time surge brakes need to be bled is if you open the system such as replace a line, replace a slave cylinder or replace the master.

short of that, if you need to bleed the brakes, you have an issue that needs to be addressed, such as a failed slave cylinder, a failed master cylinder or a leaking brake line.

 

[rallyart]

You can get receivers that will take out slack and make less noise. The normal slop and rattle is amplified with surge brakes. I'm a fan of surge brakes and wish my utility trailer had them.

 

[Lou C]

The Tie Down model 66 that I have had for approx 16 years has some type of a damper and it does not bang or clunk, you can feel it working but just barely.

 

[LundAngler1650]

Nothing to add, they gave you great advice already. Get it repaired, there is definitely a problem if you keep getting air in it. The biggest problem I have with surge brakes is backing up on soft ground, or uphill, and then the Need to put in the lock pin so they are not applying while backing up. I love my boat, and jetski trailers being open axle without brakes. Just another reason I doubt I'll ever buy a heavy boat.

 

[poconojoe]

I ditched my surge brakes last year.

My surge brake master cylinder was full of rust and basically the whole system was in disrepair.

Plus, there's no mechanical job I hate more than bleeding brakes!

Considering what it would have cost to replace the surge components, I decided to change over to electric drums. It wasn't difficult at all. The new setup came completely assembled. I unbolted the old backing plates and installed the new ones. It was a direct fit.

Plus no getting out to disengage when backing up either. Just put it in reverse and go.

I fished the wires through the frame and replace the connector with a 7 pin. I bought the prewired 7 pin connector with included junction box.

I also had to add a breakaway kit which has it's own battery which charges when it's plugged into the truck.

My Silverado has the factory integrated controller, so the truck was already setup.

I only launch in fresh water.

I bolted the moving tongue so it no longer slides.
It's so nice not hearing that slapping noise.

 

[mike_i]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but why don't you install a reverse lockout solenoid?

​

Nothing to add, they gave you great advice already. Get it repaired, there is definitely a problem if you keep getting air in it. The biggest problem I have with surge brakes is backing up on soft ground, or uphill, and then the Need to put in the lock pin so they are not applying while backing up. I love my boat, and jetski trailers being open axle without brakes. Just another reason I doubt I'll ever buy a heavy boat.

 

[Alumarine]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but why don't you install a reverse lockout solenoid?

​

Or Free Backing brake assemblies that work when backing up.
Don't require a lockout.

 

[poconojoe]

I ditched my surge brakes last year.

My surge brake master cylinder was full of rust and basically the whole system was in disrepair.

Plus, there's no mechanical job I hate more than bleeding brakes!

Considering what it would have cost to replace the surge components, I decided to change over to electric drums. It wasn't difficult at all. The new setup came completely assembled. I unbolted the old backing plates and installed the new ones. It was a direct fit.

Plus no getting out to disengage when backing up either. Just put it in reverse and go.

I fished the wires through the frame and replace the connector with a 7 pin. I bought the prewired 7 pin connector with included junction box.

I also had to add a breakaway kit which has it's own battery which charges when it's plugged into the truck.

My Silverado has the factory integrated controller, so the truck was already setup.

I only launch in fresh water.

I bolted the moving tongue so it no longer slides.
It's so nice not hearing that slapping noise.

Oh, I was able to use my original drums too, which saved some cash.

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

PIA ??? thinking it should be PITA . . .

I always type it as PIA and say it as "PITA"....

 

[Chris51280]

I have the free backing one and like it. My whole setup weighs about #4000 but the trailer is rated for more. I have to admit that the bleeding part is a bit of a hassle but I had worse jobs. I have used a vacuum bleeder and had to go from one side to the other a couple of times to make sure the air is out. The adjustment under the trailer to get the brake pads adjusted is just like with any drum brake car and can be a little tricky.

 

[Cortes100]

My experience with surge brakes is mixed. I've had 2 trailers in the last 13 years. Both had disc brakes, and the auto backup assist (put truck in reverse and electrically shuts brakes off).
One trailer had for 8 years, never ever touched anything, and worked perfect the whole time.
The next unit got a loud brake chatter after the first season. After bleeding, they would work for a year, and the chatter would come back. Air was getting in, but couldn't find the problem, no apparent leaks. It had to be the actuator but there were no shops in my area that could/would help me. Boat dealer was willing to have it fixed but I had to drive hours, which was a PITA. Ended up selling so not sure what the problem was.

 

[BearlyFunctioning]

I ditched my surge brakes years ago and installed electric. Much happier with the electric brakes,

POCONOJOE is spot on with everything he posted. He said everything I would have.