Surge brake lock-out solution

[Drcoffee]

I thought I would share my latest fix to my trailer. I have drum surge brakes and a very long driveway roughly 220’ When I activate the trailer brake lock-out, they quickly reactivate and cause the brakes to lock up. I tried a zip tie to hold the lock-out lever in place, but thats not a permanent solution. After a little thought, I used an aluminum flat on an existing bolt and created latch that will keep the brakes from engaging while backing up. There is a nylon washer between the trailer hitch and orange latch to allow it to rotate smoothly and give a gap so it doesnt rub.
It works for me because I open the rear hatch of my 4runner when backing up to get a good view of the trailer and road surface. When I hop out to close the hatch, I release the brakes to function again. I also painted it orange so its hard to forget.

 

[alldodge]

I like it
I did one a bit more simplistic. Took a piece of 12 gauge insulated copper wire. Drilled a hole in the lip, then wrapped it around the post twice. Twisted the wire after going thru the hole to hold

 

[Drcoffee]

Either way is better than spending $$ on replacing the whole backing plate with shoes (free-backing system). Im now getting back into boating since selling my last boat in 2006. I forgot how much you can spend on these toys. $25 bucks here, $250 there. Before long you are talking real money. Between anchors, 2 life jackets (obrien), new trailer wheel bearings and ropes, I was over $300 just to get to and on the water. LOL I love boating tho so its worth it.

its good to be handy and have the right tools.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Either way is better than spending $$ on replacing the whole backing plate with shoes (free-backing system). Im now getting back into boating since selling my last boat in 2006. I forgot how much you can spend on these toys. $25 bucks here, $250 there. Before long you are talking real money. Between anchors, 2 life jackets (obrien), new trailer wheel bearings and ropes, I was over $300 just to get to and on the water. LOL I love boating tho so its worth it.

its good to be handy and have the right tools.

bungee chords......... hold many things in place.

consider yourself lucky at $300

 

[bruceb58]

Be aware that when that Attwood surge brake unit fails(master cylinder), it is not made anymore and there are no parts available.

Hopefully, it's bolted on and not welded on. I replaced one of those for a friend with a Dico unit.

 

[Drcoffee]

Be aware that when that Attwood surge brake unit fails(master cylinder), it is not made anymore and there are no parts available.

Hopefully, it's bolted on and not welded on. I replaced one of those for a friend with a Dico unit.

interesting. Mine is welded on. I suppose I would need to grind the weld to remove it. how did you remove the old hitch?

 

[bruceb58]

interesting. Mine is welded on. I suppose I would need to grind the weld to remove it. how did you remove the old hitch?

Fortunately, it was bolted on.

Yep...grind the welds!

 

[Drcoffee]

Fortunately, it was bolted on.

Yep...grind the welds!

I found a source who must have bought up all the remaining stock of the couplers from Attwood, about 500 in total. Thinking I will pick one up as a replacement for when Im bored one day. Cut mine off and bolt on the new one. I cant find a drum brake surge unit with a manual lock out Without changing the brakes to back free.

 

[alldodge]

Can install brake line shut off solenoid. I installed one on mine so I don't have to use my wire. Just connect it to the backup lights

 

[bruceb58]

I found a source who must have bought up all the remaining stock of the couplers from Attwood, about 500 in total. Thinking I will pick one up as a replacement for when Im bored one day. Cut mine off and bolt on the new one. I cant find a drum brake surge unit with a manual lock out Without changing the brakes to back free.

The master cylinder is what you want as a spare. You don't really need the whole unit.

 

[Drcoffee]

The master cylinder is what you want as a spare. You don't really need the whole unit.

They no longer make them. All I could find is the whole assembly. Cost is $160. So almost the cost of a master cyl. Not sure if I will cut the old one off or just swap internals. Leaning towards swapping the guts since mine is Welded on

 

[bruceb58]

They no longer make them. All I could find is the whole assembly. Cost is $160. So almost the cost of a master cyl. Not sure if I will cut the old one off or just swap internals. Leaning towards swapping the guts since mine is Welded on

Or just wait until your fails and grind it off and put on a Titan Dico unit that is better anyway. You can get one with a brake lockout solenoid.

 

[Drcoffee]

I pulled the trigger on the new Atwood coupler. Cut the old one off, drilled the bolt holes, and painted the end of the tongue after grinding off the rust and paint. I’ll give it a few days to cure before installing.

It Took a little longer than expected to grind off the old coupler. person who welded the coupler on originally, really earned his pay. The weld extended all the way up to the top of the bolt holes. I was able to get it off without cutting into the tongue.

How could I pass up the deal. the Ebay seller cut me a deal, $115 delivered.

 

[bruceb58]

personally, I would have just spent the money on a current model surge unit that you can get parts for but maybe you don't plan on keeping it very long.

 

[Drcoffee]

personally, I would have just spent the money on a current model surge unit that you can get parts for but maybe you don't plan on keeping it very long.

I get it. But how much do you invest in a 1995 single axle trailer. I priced out the Titan actuator plus a back up lock out and it came to $300 for actuator, $50 for lockout. just shy of $400. All in I spent $115 and no additional wiring. If it lasts another 25 years it was money well spent. Id rather spend the money on the boat

 

[bruceb58]

I get it. But how much do you invest in a 1995 single axle trailer. I priced out the Titan actuator plus a back up lock out and it came to $300 for actuator, $50 for lockout. just shy of $400. All in I spent $115 and no additional wiring. If it lasts another 25 years it was money well spent. Id rather spend the money on the boat

True...I just tend to spend a little more money to avoid the aggravation in the future.