surge brake testing

[thiede]

Can anyone describe the procedure to test the surge brakes on my EZ Loader trailer? Would I have to block up the wheels and back it into something to actuate the master cylinder? Sounds cumbersome to me.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: surge brake testing

Shouldn't have to back into anything. Find a parking lot, driveway, or a back road that has a rather steep hill. Back up the hill (or attempt to). If you can't back up, the brakes are working -- but if the trailer has a reversing lockout it must be disconnected. If you can back up freely, the brakes need adjusting or repair.

 

[jlinder]

Re: surge brake testing

While not a complete test, you can easily check to make sure the master cylinder is working. This teswt is a lot like pushing on the brake pedal of a car to see if it goes down a little, you feel resistance, then stops when it the brakes lock up.<br /><br />Use a 2x4 as the lever to push the coupler in hard by wrapping the safety chains around one bottom end. Then place the middle of the 2x4 against the coupler and push on the top. A little hard to describe but easy to do. <br /><br />While it does not give you a complete check, you do get a good feel for how the hydrolics are working - are there leaks, is there air in the system, etc. It is also a good way to bleed the brakes.<br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[Lou C]

Re: surge brake testing

If the trailer has free backing drums the backing up test won't work. Many acutators can be pumped by putting a screwdriver in a slot and pushing rearward, or you can pull out your truck's drawbar and ball and open the coupler, and hook it up and us the drawbar to pump it. What I do is jack up one wheel with a helper, have the helper spin the tire foward and then pump the actuator. Should stop that spinning wheel pretty quick.

 

[Bondo]

Re: surge brake testing

If you're driving down the road,+ tap the brake pedal,.... You Should Feel the trailer brakes, come On,+ Release........<br /><br />If you Can't Feel them Working,.......... They're probably Not...........

 

[rwidman]

Re: surge brake testing

Originally posted by Lou C:<br /> If the trailer has free backing drums the backing up test won't work. Many acutators can be pumped by putting a screwdriver in a slot and pushing rearward, ............ What I do is jack up one wheel with a helper, have the helper spin the tire foward and then pump the actuator. Should stop that spinning wheel pretty quick.

That's how you do it. <br /><br />Here's a way to check your brakes during or after each trip. Purchase an infared non contact thermometer (Sears or Radio Shack). During or at the end of your trip, measure the temperature of the drums or disks. They should be much hotter than ambient temperature. This is from the friction of braking. They should also be about the same temperature from side to side. If they are not hot and you have been braking during the trip, the brakes aren't working. If there;s a significant difference from side to side they are either out of adjustment or there is another problem.