Tie Down Brakes

[mperm]

I just installed a set of tie down disk brakes on my single axle trailer and when I fully engage the brakes I can still move the trailer wheels with a lot of effort. My question is if the brakes are fully engaged should it be possible to move the wheel when it is jacked up and is there a way to adjust the brakes? Thanks

 

[mperm]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

Forgot to say they are surge brakes

 

[rwidman]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

Did you bleed the brakes?<br />Are you low on brake fluid?<br />Check this link for trailer brake procedures and troubleshooting:<br /> http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

It's simple physics. Surge brakes are self-modulating and operate by the force of the trailer attempting to push the tow vehicle as its stopping. The harder you attempt to stop, the more rection there is and consequently higher brake force on the trailer. At a stop, there is no such reaction so therefore no pressure on the master cylinder and hence no braking. Your brakes should be adjusted so there is just a very slight drag on the wheel with no master cylinder pressure. By the way, surge brakes are useless on ice but then one usually doesn't tow a boat trailer in the winter.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

By the way, if these are surge brakes, how are you "fully actuating them" with the wheels jacked up?

 

[mperm]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

To fully actuate them I back up my ATV attached to the boat and that pushes in the actuator and then I jack up one wheel at a time.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

Good plan. However you may not be exerting enough pressure on the actuator to fully lock the brakes. I think you are ok as long as the brakes are adjusted properly.

 

[tommays]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

most actuators can be pumped with a rod which is how i bleed mine <br /><br />with a large rod you can put out some prety high pressure out of the master cylinder<br /><br />surge brakes are as not anywere near as powerfull or as fast acting as you car brakes if they were you would lock up way to easy and you would be watching your trailer try to pass you <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

Try testing your brakes with a 2X4:<br />

<br />You need 2 people, but it'll give you a better feel for what's happening. <br /><br /><br />BTW - disc brakes usually don't have/require adjustment.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Tie Down Brakes

I just did my brakes with the 2x4 method. A little hokey but it was helpful and really let me get a feel for my brakes. Also easy to do.<br /><br />Push on the actuator. It should go in a little bit then stop fairly solid.<br /><br />If you feel resistance and it continues to go in with a mushy feel, then you have air in the lines. You need to bleed the brakes.<br /><br />When I started mine went all the way in and the actuator thunked at the end. I could also turn the wheels with dificulty (trailer on jacks).<br /><br />Bleed the brakes and it now has a solid feel. Couldn't move the wheels at all anymore.