Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

[imported_Warren]

I have a 20 foot boat with a Pacific Dual Axle Trailer....

The brakes never worked and dosen't need them for this size boat.....


I'm tired of the surge hitch on the trailer slamming forward when I stop and go....

Is there a way to send a bolt or a switch or something I can hit to lock out the brakes???

There is a safety latch on the top but i'm not sure what will happen if I lock it forward........Thanks in advance for any suggestions......Warren

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

A 20 foot boat definitely needs brakes. Anything that is over 3500 pounds needs brakes.

 

[imported_Warren]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

Easy there "trailer brake Nazi" guy......Typical California attitude telling me what I need on "MY" trailer.......

The boat is aluminum with a 40h.p. outboard.....Probably weighs around 800-1000lbs........Just purchased the trailer about 6 months ago online.....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

LOL...ok. I guess you don't.

I changed over from surge brakes to electric/hydraulic so I disabled the sliding portion of my tongue by using two very large hardened bolts in holes drilled through the outer housing and the tongue. I removed all the internal parts first.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

loaded with gear,boat, motor, trailer you are pushing the Calif limit of 1500 lbs for total rig.

look Here; http://marinemechanic.com/site/page29.html

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

I don't get it??? He asks for advice and then rips you when you give him a logical responce for the information he gave us.???????? If you don't want to be told what to do to YOUR boat why ask?

 

[imported_Warren]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

My question in the post was "How do I bypass the surge brake system"....

It had nothing to do with having working brakes on my trailer or if I need them......

My 800-1000lb estimate was with fuel gear and battery's.....I don't have pics but its like a large lake rental boat(the kind that usually have a 5hp outboard on them) with a 5 gallon portable gas tank.....Old 40Hp 2 stroke Outboard weighs around 150lbs.....

The only reason I got a little snooty with his response is because his location say's "Peoples republic of California"......And its that kind of (wear your seatbelt and helmet) attitude that makes that phrase true.....

I worked in the gun industry here in Cali and lost my job because of rediculous law's here and I guess i'm still bitter.......

P.S.....Bruce....Thanks for the info....I did think of that but wanted to try and avoid drilling into my galvanizing if there was an easy latch somewhere......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

you been told how to disable them or just open the bleeder valves, .and I think your weight estimate is way off, i have a 18' aluminum, center console, open boat, with 1/2 floor decking, the hull is 900 alone. add motor, gas a gear, the weight of the trailer. thats your tow weight.

 

[imported_Warren]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

My boat has nothing in it but 2 small golf caddy batterys(10lbs each), a portable fishfinder, life jackets, fire extinguisher, couple sodas, fishing rods/lures. 5 gallons of gas and a 1970's tiller 35hp converted to a 40 outboard....

Its nothing like a center console (probably bayrunner) that you have.....


Here is a pic of what it looks like.....

I picked up the whole stern by the handle and pulled it off the trailer to re-carpet the bunks last week......

Maybe your right, not worth arguing over the weight of my boat, I didn't try and pickup the trailer....Maybe it weighs 1000lbs alone.........I'll just try and get the brakes back to working condition.....

How much does the electric setup run???.....Do they rust out like the stock brakes???......This crappy little lake cruiser is getting expensive.....The only reason I bought it is so I don't have to ding up the gelcoat on my other boat when I want to beach it and fish from shore......

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

My system is electric over hydraulic which means I have a pump that mounts near the tongue of the trailer and pumps the hydraulic brake fluid to the brakes. It is controlled by a brake controller in the cab of the truck. The controller is the same type that is used with electric drum brakes common on camping trailers.

Electric drum brakes are not really advisable on boat trailers, especially trailers put in salt water becuase water can enter the magnet causing them to fail.

The elecric/hydraulic brake unit costs around $600. It is expensive but I liked its advantages over a surge unit. Not needed in your set up...that is for sure.

For you, the surge brakes are the best way to go. If your whole system needs a major overhaul, it is sometimes best to just replace everything with new.

Go to championtrailers.com for good prices on complete packages.

And after saying all that...you are correct...you probably don't even need brakes on your set up.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

P.S.....Bruce....Thanks for the info....I did think of that but wanted to try and avoid drilling into my galvanizing if there was an easy latch somewhere......

I really wouldn't worry about drilling into the glavanizing on the surge unit. That part never hits the water anyway.

 

[imported_Warren]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

Very cool....Thanks for the info...

I've made up my mind that i'm going to get the brakes fixed.....The original owner of the trailer sold it to me because his boat was docked behind his house and didn't want to deal with storing the trailer anymore....He just pays for it to be hauled out every year for maintenance....

I don't think there is too much wrong with it.....When I first got it I noticed hydralic fluid leaking out of the brake cylinder on the tongue so hopefully it will only be a hose or something cheap.....

Trail-rite trailers is only a few miles from my house and i've dealt with them before...They gave me a great deal on an axle for my other trailer.....I'm going down there next week when I get paid and hopefully i'll be able to get my surge system working again.......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

good move Warren, Better safe than sorry.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

That leak that you see will probably be the master cylinder that is toast. Expect to replace the wheel cylinders as well.

Trail-Rite is a good place. I purchased an axle from them as well.

 

[imported_Warren]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

Thanks for all the info.......One more question....

Here is my other boat......Do they make brakes for this size trailer??

It may be only 13 feet long but its a lot heavier than my other boat.....

Its a 77' that I restored and don't mind spending some $$ to make this one safer to tow.....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

I really doubt you need brakes on that.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Surge brake bypass Pacific dual axle trailer

Yes there are brakes for trailers that small. We had an old pop-up with 8 inch wheels. It had some tiny little drum brakes.