Surge brake help

[tacx]

Hi All,,
I need some help understanding my surge brakes function. I have a 1996 23 foot Harris Kayot Super Dec. Deck boat. The trailer is an Eagle tandom, and is in like new condition. but I don't know the brand of surge brakes. The boat is at the cottage right now. The surge unit has a safety cable and a lever which says "reverse release". Im assuming that to back up the rig I SHOULD have to place the "reverse release" lever in the release position? But, I can back up the rig ( boat on trailer ) without engaging the release lever?

I would like to check the function of the brakes themselves and check the function of the reverse braking system? As far as checking the operation of the brakes, I believe I should be able to jack the wheels off the ground adjust the shoes and then spin the wheel while manually forcing back the hydro cylinder and see if it stops the wheel.

But, I'm not sure how to test the reversing system. If I adjust the brakes will that also correct the fact that I now can back up without engaging the reverse lever?

Sorry for the long winded post. Just want to be clear.

Thanks
Tom

 

[Cortes100]

Your trailer will have a solenoid that is run by your vehicle reverse light. Once you put the tow vehicle in reverse, the solenoid will disengage the brakes (something to do with the fluid). You obviously have that if you're not using the lock out pin.
The little cable / brake release also will get the job done, but that's a mechanical method. It simply locks out the sliding part of the hitch assembly so the brakes cannot engage (forward or reverse).
Only way I know how to test the reverse part of the brake, is to back up. First unplug your electrical, and try to back up. . Just do this nicely/carefully, like idling, but still enough to activate the plunger. You'll know right away if the trailer brakes are engaging

 

[Scott Danforth]

post a pic of your surge brake head

do you have drums or discs?

drums are free-backing, so you dont need to do anything with drums

if you have discs, your trailer would have 5 pins in the wire, where blue is the lock solenoid for backing.

 

[beerman2]

Need to post some picture's, trailer manufacture's use all brands of parts on their trailers. You can not tell what brand of braking system you have by the brand of the trailer. The slider on the brake actuator has either a spring or hydraulic cylinders holding it forward so it's very much impossible to push it backwards by hand to check the brake's. All of the trailer's I've seen with a cable hooked to a lever on top of the actuator use's this for a safety brake in case the trailer breaks away from the tow vehicle, not a reverse lock out. Some trailer's use a pin that you slide thru the actuator to lock the slider forward, others use a manual or electric hydraulic solenoid screwed into the master cylinder before the brake line.