Problems with Surge Brakes on Trailer

[Helmet88]

Hello Everyone,

I just bought a new Chaparral Sig 240 and have a galv. trailer with surge brakes. I am not familiar with them as I am used to pulling a fifth wheel with a prodigy. My question is, I am unable to back the trailer sometimes on level ground and cannot back-up hills. I have looked for a place to disable them but have not found it. It looks like the tongue unit has two "shock absorbers" inside but there are no places to disengage the brakes. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance

 

[JB]

Re: Problems with Surge Brakes on Trailer

Some surge brakes have an electric lockout energized by your backup lights. Look for a fifth wire in the trailer wiring, that may be the one. You would need to switch to a 5 wire flat connector and wire your backup lights into it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Problems with Surge Brakes on Trailer

If you look carefully, there may a hole into which a pin is inserted to prevent the coupler from moving when backing up, thus preventing the brakes from engaging. As for operation, they work just the like the brakes on your truck only instead of stepping on a pedal, the coupler moves a small amount. That movement when you stop, pushes on a master cylinder that actuates the brakes.. When you drive away again, the coupler pulls forward to relax pressure on the master cylinder. The shock absorbers prevent oscillation (rapid on/off cycles) that can occur under some conditions. They also smooth the application of the brakes.

 

[Helmet88]

Re: Problems with Surge Brakes on Trailer

Where would the hole be located? I have looked at this thing from all angles and have yet to find anything that resembles a place to insert a pin.

Thank you for everyone's suggestions

 

[Helmet88]

Re: Problems with Surge Brakes on Trailer

Some surge brakes have an electric lockout energized by your backup lights. Look for a fifth wire in the trailer wiring, that may be the one. You would need to switch to a 5 wire flat connector and wire your backup lights into it.

This trailer does have the five flat which is hooked up to my tow vehicle, sometimes it allows reverse, other times not.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Problems with Surge Brakes on Trailer

You could drill a small hole that you could drop a bolt or pin into. Sounds like you have the tiedown/dico model 10. Just make the hole so that it prevents the coupler portion fron sliding into the body. Attatch a big colored ribbon to it so you remember to remove it before going forward again.

The problem with the lockout valve is that if you have stopped and put it ito reverse, it basically locks any pressure in the line from returning to the master cylinder. If you have this lockout, pul forward slightly to release the brakes before putting into reverse.

 

[Helmet88]

Re: Problems with Surge Brakes on Trailer

Thanks for the help everyone