Atwood Surge Brake Hitch Problem?

[bjarnold]

I was backing up my boat trailer today and for the last year or so when backing up the part that the ball on the vehicle connects to jambs up. Normally I can pull forward and hit the brakes on the truck and it will come back down but tonight it took forever to get it unhooked. I noticed the nut on it was a little loose so I tried tighting the nut but it just spins. It does not loosen or tighten. Is it supposed to be that way?

 

[Boatist]

Re: Atwood Surge Brake Hitch Problem?

I would suggest to open it up and make sure it has brake fluid in it and no rust. Also jack up a wheel and put a bar on the hitch and make sure it works. I bet it is not working at all.

 

[bjarnold]

Re: Atwood Surge Brake Hitch Problem?

Should the bolt with the nut be loose on the hitch??.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Atwood Surge Brake Hitch Problem?

If you are talking about the bolt that goes thru the curved slot then the answer is yes. The nut should be tight but the bolt should be loose. Must be loose so can rotate and applie the brakes. Make sure you brake master cylinder is full of clean fluid. Shine a light in side and see if see any rust. Bleed the brake the farthest from the master cylinder first then the other one. If you have air in the system then when backing the hitch will rotate all the way the brakes will not work at all and you will have to pull foward to get hitch to straighten so can get hitch off ball.

 

[SEAG]

Re: Atwood Surge Brake Hitch Problem?

Inside the actuator there is a very small - pinhole return for the brake fluid. If there is any rust or particles in the resevoir, it will clog up the return and your brakes will lock up. Try cleaning out the resevoir and it should be fine as long as there is nothing stuck deep in the pin hole.<br />Sean