Need help - inertia brakes

[erikjohnnelson]

I have a 1994 Shoreline trailer. The brakes were not working so I looked in the master cylinder (says Atwood 171 on it). From what I could tell, it had water in it which has caused the master cylinder to rust inside. I found a new master cylinder for $76.11 online. This seems like a fair price. Not sure if it includes the rubber boot that goes on the front of it and brake fluid filling cap. Both are in rough shape so they need to be replaced as well.

I am trying to keep the cost of this repair as low as possible. I removed the brake drums. The drums look ok. The brake shoes look like they have a quarter inch or more left on them. From what I can tell the brake cylinders (have 814 stamped on them) are not leaking. Given that they are not leaking I am hopeful that I will not have to replace them.

At this point I am planning on purchasing a replacement master cylinder, install it, completely flush the brake lines with new fluid/bleed brakes and hope for the best.

I am towing this trailer with a F350 so the brakes do not need to be incredibly strong as the truck does fairly well do the heavy duty brake setup it has.

Any suggestions from someone with experience working on inertia brakes would be greatly appreciated.

Erik

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Need help - inertia brakes

How heavy is your boat?
Do you have camper on the truck while towing the boat?
If you do not have a camper on your truck and you have a say 3-5,000lb boat I would not worry about fixing your brakes.
Surge brakes only work if the boat is pushing the truck, so to start with they are not that great in my opinion.
Does your state law allow you to legally not have brakes on the trailer.

It does not make it right, but I have a boat trailer on the axles weight is 4300 lbs and the trailer does not have brakes, my 2500 stops ok, you just have to leave more room and drive slower. I am consider installing brakes, electric hydralic, cost is several thousand dollars. Its the emergency stopping that Iam worried about, normal stopping and hilly roads I down shift and do not have to hardly use my truck brakes if I keep my speeds close to what the corners are posted at.

 

[erikjohnnelson]

Re: Need help - inertia brakes

My boat is a 18 foot with a 200 hp IO. My guess is it is about 3500 pounds. I have no idea if Minnesota requires trailer brakes or or not.

If I knew that putting in a new master cylinder would provide some braking as I apply brakes to the truck, I would do it. My concern is that possibly the brake cylinders are shot too? Is there any way to know without buying new ones? I just don't want to spend a bunch of money to find that they really don't do much anyway.

I guess I would probably be better served by servicing the brakes on the F350. They work ok without a trailer in tow, but they are get near the end of their useful life...

Thanks for the input. If anyone else has suggestions, please let me know.

Erik

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help - inertia brakes

There is a "sticky" at the top of this forum that covers brake requirements by state. Minnesota requires brakes if the trailer GVW is 3000# or more.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Need help - inertia brakes

Just fix 'em. Cylinders won't cost that much plus you'll not be doing the work again when you find out the ones there are shot. You'll be glad they work if you ever have a panic stop situation.

 

[erikjohnnelson]

Re: Need help - inertia brakes

Thanks very much for the information.

Now I know that I need to get them working. Wish I knew if I should replace the master cylinder or master cylinder and the wheel cylinders. I guess the only way to know for sure is to replace the master and then see if they work...

Thanks to all for your input.