Explain this, lol.

[ericcarr2000]

Ok as many of you may know, I just picked up a used tandem axel trailer that has twin 3500 pound axels on it and the front axel has surge brakes. Can someone explain if at all how I can lock the tongue on the ball or even if I'm supposed to?

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Explain this, lol.

is that not the purpose of that lever tab on the top? if that is not a locking mechanism for the ball, then I'm clueless

 

[Bondo]

Re: Explain this, lol.

Ok as many of you may know, I just picked up a used tandem axel trailer that has twin 3500 pound axels on it and the front axel has surge brakes. Can someone explain if at all how I can lock the tongue on the ball or even if I'm supposed to?

Ayuh,.... Those couplers,... Suck,.... I've got a few of 'em in the fleet,....

Ya have to hold the lever, Up, while yer hookin' or unhookin' the ball,....

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: Explain this, lol.

Lol, I know what you mean Bondo. Took me a minute to figure the damn thing out myself. These trailers with braking mechanisms are all new to me. My other boat is just a 19 footer and is on a single axel shorelandr trailer without brakes on it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Explain this, lol.

That is going to be a fun coupler to replace.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: Explain this, lol.

Not planning on replacing it. Im only gonna be using the trailer this year and then buying a new one.

 

[richard.prince]

Re: Explain this, lol.

Ayuh,.... Those couplers,... Suck,.... I've got a few of 'em in the fleet,....

Ya have to hold the lever, Up, while yer hookin' or unhookin' the ball,....

One of mine has this and what I do is lift it up then stick the lock pin in it to make it stay unlocked while I am hooking it up to the truck

 

[N3UP]

Re: Explain this, lol.

I have one of those on my camper.
When the master cylinder seized up, I just converted to electric brakes.

Mine has a hole on the lever you can stick a pin through to hold the lever up for uncoupling, but sometimes you need to pull it up just a bit further to get it to let go.

I would have replaced the whole thing if was not welded.

After that experience with surge brakes, I will not ever own another trailer with surge brakes.
Straight electric or electric/hydraulic for me from now on.

I have E/H disc on my boat trailer, and if I used the camper more, I'd put E/H disc on it too.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: Explain this, lol.

How much did it cost you to convert it to electric?

I have one of those on my camper.
When the master cylinder seized up, I just converted to electric brakes.

Mine has a hole on the lever you can stick a pin through to hold the lever up for uncoupling, but sometimes you need to pull it up just a bit further to get it to let go.

I would have replaced the whole thing if was not welded.

After that experience with surge brakes, I will not ever own another trailer with surge brakes.
Straight electric or electric/hydraulic for me from now on.

I have E/H disc on my boat trailer, and if I used the camper more, I'd put E/H disc on it too.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Explain this, lol.

Also FYI...

the knob on the side of pic 2 is a reverse lock out. Incase you need to back up an incline or driveway.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Explain this, lol.

You don't have to hold it up you just have to put something in there to hold it up. Mine has an emergency brake cable that goes to the truck, I use the hook on that. The previous owner who had it for 9 years never thought to do that and had been holding it up by hand.

 

[N3UP]

Re: Explain this, lol.

How much did it cost you to convert it to electric?

Too much.....

It was 20 years ago, and I had contacted the camper manufacturer and they told me I had to replace the whole axle.
Once I got it off, I found that all I'd needed to do was change the brake assemblies and wire it.

About 3 years ago I completely replaced the brakes on a tandem axle cargo trailer for the High School Marching Band.
It was around $400 for all new drums, bearings, seals, 4 complete self adjusting brake assemblies, and hardware.

After having disc brakes on the boat trailer, I wouldn't bother with drum brakes on any trailer anymore. Discs work so much better and are mechanically much simpler.

If you are converting a surge system to disc, you need to change the actuator because discs operate at higher pressure.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Explain this, lol.

If you are converting a surge system to disc, you need to change the actuator because discs operate at higher pressure.

The master cylinder actually compensates for the higher pressure in a surge system automatically. The only difference is that the master cylinder doesn't have a residual valve which can be removed on a drum brake master cylinder.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Explain this, lol.

I also have an atwood surge head. I use the safety hook in thru the little lock hole to hold the lever up until I get it on the ball. then pull the hook and let the lock snap down, hook the safety cable and chains to the tow vehicle, connect the lights and go boating.