Newbie question (again)

[Leaf1384]

I have a Ez Loader trailer (tandem) with a 190 Sea Ray boat. The trailer has surge brakes, there is a "lever" on the tongue which is labeled "reverse". Which I am sure just frees the wheel. My question (or concern) is launching the boat, I have a Nissan Frontier V6 2wd. A steep ramp which is usually wet, I am afraid I may go swimming sooner than I hoped too! Any thoughts?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Newbie question (again)

My question (or concern) is launching the boat, I have a Nissan Frontier V6 2wd. A steep ramp which is usually wet, I am afraid I may go swimming sooner than I hoped too!

Ayuh,.... Trailer brakes are pretty much irrelevant when launchin' or retrieving...

'n if yer tow unit is too small,... Get a Bigger 1....

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Newbie question (again)

Trailer brakes are never part of the launching process. Let your tow vehicle keep you from swimming.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Newbie question (again)

Surge brakes won't stop a trailer going down hill backwards. Its a hydraulic system that activates the brakes when the trailer tongue pushes against the tow vehicle hitch. The lever locks out the brakes so you can back up. Most modern railers have an electrical lock out that switches on when the reverse lights go on. Its hard to imagine a steep ramp in central Florida. Take it easy launching until you get the hang of it. For some reference, I have a 20 foot Mariah that I tow with a 2WD Toyota Tacoma and haven't had any trouble stopping or pulling out in central Georgia.

 

[Leaf1384]

Re: Newbie question (again)

LOL, yeah I suppose they are not too steep. Thanks for the advice I will just back slowly until I get her felt out. Thanks again.

Surge brakes won't stop a trailer going down hill backwards. Its a hydraulic system that activates the brakes when the trailer tongue pushes against the tow vehicle hitch. The lever locks out the brakes so you can back up. Most modern railers have an electrical lock out that switches on when the reverse lights go on. Its hard to imagine a steep ramp in central Florida. Take it easy launching until you get the hang of it. For some reference, I have a 20 foot Mariah that I tow with a 2WD Toyota Tacoma and haven't had any trouble stopping or pulling out in central Georgia.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Newbie question (again)

Personally I don't like relying on the park brake alone as it can load the pawl in the transmission and make it a bugger to get out and also only works on the rear axle (drum brakes are also more efficient against forward motion hence leading and trailing shoes), so I cut a length of 2x2 with a cut out that sits against the base of seat to keep pressure on the foot brake giving me 4 wheel brakes. This is especially good if you have transmission mounted Emergency brake.
Can someone hold my adult beverage?

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Newbie question (again)

Personally I don't like relying on the park brake alone as it can load the pawl in the transmission and make it a bugger to get out and also only works on the rear axle (drum brakes are also more efficient against forward motion hence leading and trailing shoes), so I cut a length of 2x2 with a cut out that sits against the base of seat to keep pressure on the foot brake giving me 4 wheel brakes. This is especially good if you have transmission mounted Emergency brake.
Can someone hold my adult beverage?

If you apply the Ebrake and release the foot brake to let vehicle rest,then put in park, you won't have that issue.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Newbie question (again)

Don't have an Ebrake.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Newbie question (again)


Dont be surprised if this happens then.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Newbie question (again)

Don't have an Ebrake.

might be time to find a road legal vehicle! That one certainly isn't.. Ebrakes aren't just for parking, if you ever lose your main braking system, you can still stop..

Also, although the majority of vehicles have e/parking brakes on the rear axle only, if you are in 4x4, you effectively have front brakes also. The biggest problem is that people don't adjust ebrakes, EVER. And when they do, they adjust them up front at the handle/pedal, instead of using the star adjuster on the brake drum itself. A well adjusted ebrake will have no problem holding enough to slide all 4 tires of a truck.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Newbie question (again)

Sorry, mind was elsewhere when I said don't have ebrake, had a brainfart and was thinking of electric brakes. As for it working on 4x4 only with all diff's locked and auto hubs (if fitted) locked to manual.