Newbie - I Hate Surge Brakes!

[bruceb58]

Re: Newbie - I Hate Surge Brakes!

You are right...Fourwinns trailers all have discs now.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Newbie - I Hate Surge Brakes!

Another possibility is the wrong sized hitch ball (too small).

Some "clunking" is normal.

 

[DJ]

Re: Newbie - I Hate Surge Brakes!

Let's make sure we are not confusing this poor guy. He has a Brand New Trailer! He has not used surge brakes before. They clunk if they are right even when they are perfect and again brand new. Yes, brand new could be broken too, but these things clunk, period.

Agreed.

There are some drawbars out there that have rubber isolators within. U Haul makes a nice one.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Newbie - I Hate Surge Brakes!

Seahunter -- I don't mean to pick nits here but what you say may be true when stopping. However a clunk is not prevented by the brake system upon start up from a stop as the coupler reaches the end of its travel. Pulling forces are not applied to the brake system as it simply couldn't withstand the forces. The built in shock absorber provides some damping during start up, but its real purpose is to dampen jerkiness during certain conditions where rapid brake application and release might occur (such as during axle hop). That's why a surge brake system is called "self modulating".

Disc brakes use a push - pull system which is why you must remove the check valve in the actuator for it to work properly. There should be very little to no clunk in them whatsoever unless your low on fluid or you have blow-by in the master cylinder. I have no noticeable clunk unless I’m low on fluid which happens from time to time as my pads wear.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Newbie - I Hate Surge Brakes!

This is not an accurate description. Brake hydraulic systems never "pull" and they are unable to create any appreciable vacuum. The pressure-holding valve in drum systems maintains about 30 PSI in the lines so the shoes aren't pulled all the way back by the springs. Discs maintain their proximity to the rotors because of the design of their seals, and can't have that hold pressure because they will drag. The master cylinder never "pulls" them.

Poorly adjusted drum systems can have more clunk, but a properly adjusted system won't be very different from a disc system in master cylinder travel.

If you are ever low enough on fluid to change travel, then you have sucked in air and have to bleed the system. Being just slightly low or even very low without exposing the intake port will not make any difference. The master cylinder can't tell if you have an ounce or a gallon of fluid, as long as no air is sucked in.