Trailer brake question

[kayak99]

I recently bought a trailer with hydraulic brakes and a removable tongue. Each time I pull the tongue I have to disconnect the brake line and of course I have leaking fluid which I have to replace when I take it out again.<br /><br />My question is this: How do I know if these brakes are working? <br /><br />Thanks!

 

[JB]

Re: Trailer brake question

Wow!! I don't know, Kayak!! We had better figure out a way to test trailer brakes, guys, unless someone out there knows one. I think I can tell by feel if trailer brakes are working behind a vehicle I drive a lot, but a strange vehicle? I don't think so.<br /><br />I just don't think removable tongues and brakes are compatible unless the master cylinder is located aft of the joint. I intend to have a folding tongue with flexible brake hose on my new trailer.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[Ranger354]

Re: Trailer brake question

You would think a "hydralic type" quick connect would work if you had to remove the tongue all the time. Also, on many trailer brake systems there is a cable cord near the tongue. This cord is to be attached on the back of the tow vehicle incase the trailer tries to depart from the tow vehicle the brakes will lock up. If I wanted to test them I would ride in the back of a pickup and gently pull this cord to see if the trailer brakes start to slow the vehicle down. There has got to be a better way. Maybe try jacking the entire tralier off the ground and spining the tires, then pull the cord. <br /><br />My 2 cents.

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Trailer brake question

Never tried it with a boat on one but I have tested hydrolic brakes by hooking a 4 wheeler or tractor to the trailer... If they work you will know it on that light of a vechicle... That or pull the safty pin (breakaway pin) and that should lock the brakes on the trailer.

 

[FNG]

Re: Trailer brake question

Ranger354 has it. hook up and pull that saftey cable. Then just put your truck in gear and see if the brakes are locked up on the trailer. Don't pull so hard you drag the trailer across your driveway. If you want to check each side use a pair of vise grips. With the brakes disengaged adjust the vise gripes to squeeze the rubber hose at one of the wheels. Don't over sqeeze, just enough to keep the fluid from flowing. Then ingage the brakes with the cable and give a tug with the tow vehicle. Do each side independetly and you'll find if one side isn't working.<br /><br />To adjust the brakes you'll have to jack up the wheel and spin the tire. The brakes should be adjusted to spin freely but just able to hear them rubbing on the shoes ever so slightly.<br /><br />Hope this steers you in the right direction.

 

[pedrobenet]

Re: Trailer brake question

Try backing the trailer up an incline (driveway)<br />this will put pressure on the trailer brake system and should stop the car. - Good Luck

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Trailer brake question

Maybe this won't apply to all trailer braking systems, but I find that when I hit the brake pedal, the car brakes apply immediately and then you feel the trailer brakes slam on a fraction of a second later... So you get a kind of 2 stage braking effect.<br /><br />BTW, if you're leaking hydraulic fluid, are you sure you're not getting air into the system ?

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Trailer brake question

Your NOT supposed to take appart a hydraulic brake system! Find some other way to lock up the tonge.......You got a suicide wish? You will always get air in the system no matter what kind of connector you use. This is serious stuff...don't do that.....I know, I've been building these things for years. The other alternative is to convert to electric brakes but they cost about $75.00-$100.00/WHEEL and do not like saltwater........plus electric brake activator for the tow vehicle.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Trailer brake question

I have hydraulic brakes and a removable tongue on my 2002 trailer. The coupler in the hose is a high dollar one designed just for hydraulic system so hoses can be connected and disconnected without fluid loss or introducing air into the system. These have been used in industrial applications for years with good results. The premium brands work very well. Just wipe clean the male part of the connector and swab out the female part and you will be fine. If yours is leaking you made need to replace it. A good tractor supply store can custom make the hoses for you. Unhook your old stuff and take it to them so they can get accurate measurements. You might check you local yellow pages under "Hydraulic" if you don't know of a good tractor store. I agree that backing up a hill is the best way to see if your system works. This more closely replicates actual use. There may be linkages ahead of the "break away" lever that are not moving freely. Hey FlyBoyMark,I enjoy Richard Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" tooo. Have you ever seen "Victory At Sea"? Lots of good music in it if you like that genre.<br />

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Trailer brake question

I have also seen these hydraulic couplers used for quick change brakes on race cars that have zero pressure loss once uncoupled. <br />No matter which route you go, make sure you bleed the brake fluid properly to eliminate any air in the system. Once this is done, now you have a baseline and can run your tests like backing up. Also check that the brake shoes are adjusted properly too.<br /><br />On my trailer, I test my brakes in an empty parking lot by placing a bolt in the coupler for the "reverse lock out". This stops the the trailer master cylinder from activating the brakes at all. I then apply my brakes going less then 25 mph. Note the pedal pressure and stopping distance.<br />I then do the same test with the bolt removed and you should feel the difference with the trailer brakes on and notice that you stopped in much less distance with less pedal pressure.