Surge brakes not working. Where to start

MalibuMike

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 29, 2020
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137
I have a 2018 aluminum dual axle trailer I use for a 25 Parker. I purchased it from Texas and it's very clean. It has surge brakes and I understand how they work. The tab on top that says " towing" or "locked" is in the right spot ( towing ). I've jammed on my brakes a few times in my Dodge 2500 and cant feel the brakes go on nor do I see any of the faint rust on the discs getting worn away. Safe to say they are not engaging. Any advice on where to start looking as to what the problem might be?
 

MalibuMike

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 29, 2020
Messages
137
I called the trailer co. I did explain that I dont ever put the electrical connection on to the truck because the trip from the storage are to the ramp is so close. They said that the surge brake wont work unless the plug is connected. What is the mechanism inside the surge hitch that needs the electrical signal to allow it all to work? I know that the brakes themselves aren't electric. I though the whole surge system work with springs and hydraulic pressure.
 

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
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16,091
They said that the surge brake wont work unless the plug is connected. What is the mechanism inside the surge hitch that needs the electrical signal to allow it all to work? I know that the brakes themselves aren't electric. I though the whole surge system work with springs and hydraulic pressure.
Never heard of such a thing
Nothing electrical about surge brakes except the bypass valve to back up. Has no affect going forward

What make and model coupler do you have/
 

MalibuMike

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 29, 2020
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137
Boat is about an hour away so just trying to gather all info before driving up to troubleshoot. Read about the reverse lockout solenoid. "A 12 volt solenoid valve connects to the tow vehicles back up light circuit for automatic brake lockout". So it makes backing up easy without having to manually lock the surge brake system. A 5 pin connector indicates that the trailer has it.
 

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
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16,091
Boat is about an hour away so just trying to gather all info before driving up to troubleshoot. Read about the reverse lockout solenoid. "A 12 volt solenoid valve connects to the tow vehicles back up light circuit for automatic brake lockout". So it makes backing up easy without having to manually lock the surge brake system. A 5 pin connector indicates that the trailer has it.
The only thing I can add is if the brakes are working correctly, slamming on the brakes isn’t going to do much because the Trailer and truck are decelerating at same rate.
I would expect the pads to clear the rust off the disks. Suggest going to ceramic brakes pads to reduce wear
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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I called the trailer co. I did explain that I dont ever put the electrical connection on to the truck because the trip from the storage are to the ramp is so close. They said that the surge brake wont work unless the plug is connected. What is the mechanism inside the surge hitch that needs the electrical signal to allow it all to work? I know that the brakes themselves aren't electric. I though the whole surge system work with springs and hydraulic pressure.
If they are discs the reverse lockout solenoid is powered off the tow vehicles back up lights. the other wiring connections are for lights.

surge brakes will get applied by backing up as it puts the same pressure on the coupler master cylinder as the trailer pushing on a braking tow vehicle. nit sure why drums dont need it but on disc surge brakes they have a lock out solenoid that closes off hydraulic pressure from going to the calipers. With out it or putting a lock out pin i the coupler the brakes get applied when you backup.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
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Nov 20, 2001
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16,091
nit sure why drums dont need it but on disc surge brakes they have a lock out solenoid that closes off hydraulic pressure from going to the calipers.
You need a blocking solenoid on drum brakes unless they are free backing.

You use a by-pass solenoid for disc brakes
 

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
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12,712
If they are discs the reverse lockout solenoid is powered off the tow vehicles back up lights. the other wiring connections are for lights.

surge brakes will get applied by backing up as it puts the same pressure on the coupler master cylinder as the trailer pushing on a braking tow vehicle. nit sure why drums dont need it but on disc surge brakes they have a lock out solenoid that closes off hydraulic pressure from going to the calipers. With out it or putting a lock out pin i the coupler the brakes get applied when you backup.
With drum brakes it is possible to design them so they don’t activate enough in reverse to stop you from backing up. Free backing drum brakes they are called. Disc brakes can’t be made that way so you need some type of solenoid or other mechanical lock out.
In this case the first thing I’d do is check the fluid in the master cylinder. Check each brake line connection to see if there is any sign of leaking. If possible to actuate the master cyl while a helper spins a wheel to see if the calipers are getting fluid and stop the spinning wheel. On my old Tie Down 66 actuator you can easily do this with a screwdriver in a slot in the actuator.
 

MalibuMike

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 29, 2020
Messages
137
It was a silly little thing......just needed to hook up the trailer plug! I understand the mechanics of the reverse lockout.....just cant figure out what electric signal allows the brakes to work when plugged in. So for now, no more light rust build up on the disc brakes! Thanks to all who helped.
 
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