Re: surge brakes

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Posted by Ben (76.14.83.65) on 23:14:46 08/05/10

In Reply to: surge brakes posted by Peter

: Can you offer a little more info on the mechanism for surge brakes? I understand the concept of the trailer brakes activating when the trailer puts a certain amount of pressure on the hitch.
:
: Is it an electronic mechanism that activates the brakes or mechanical? Is there somewhere to look to visually inspect something like that or is it buried in the trailer frame?
:
: - Peter

Think of a brake master cylinder mounted on the trailer tongue/coupler.

As the TV (tow vehicle) brakes, the trailer wants to push into the TV's tail via the ball/coupler

This will then push the surge brake master cylinder the same as you would with your foot on
the brake pedal.

The rod has pistons just like a master cylinder and will then pressurize the hydraulic braking
system of the trailer brakes. Exactly like any car/truck.

There is a lever with a cable/chain/etc connected to the end of the lever. This is the safety and
is connected to the TV somewhere.

If the coupler should come off the ball and the safety chains also come off, then the last ditch
thing is this safety cable/chain/etc.

It will set the trailer brakes 100% by leveraging the rod/pistons

Surge brakes are the norm on boat trailers, as the axles are submerged often. If sea water, corrosion
of the brakes common on electric brakes, as they have electrical magnets.

Too many don't know any better, so they pull this safety lever to lock the trailer for storage.

This exposes the piston rod, which is NOT plated or protected as the design depends on the rod
staying inside the casting of the MC

This will rust the rod and impair it's function.

My guess is the the brakes were not working due to a rusty rod and/or the rest of the system not
up to par

Also, surge brakes will set if you try to back up. There is a lockout pin/rod/etc that you push
in, or engage some how. This could also have been still in place so there were no brakes due to being
locked out.

Usually on rentals because this does not require a brake controller inside the TV. Just about any
one with a hitch & ball can tow it.

You can tell by looking at the tongue and coupler. The surge brake (MC) will be apparent

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Comments:	: : Can you offer a little more info on the mechanism for surge brakes? I understand the concept of the trailer brakes activating when the trailer puts a certain amount of pressure on the hitch. : : : : Is it an electronic mechanism that activates the brakes or mechanical? Is there somewhere to look to visually inspect something like that or is it buried in the trailer frame? : : : : - Peter : : : Think of a brake master cylinder mounted on the trailer tongue/coupler. : : As the TV (tow vehicle) brakes, the trailer wants to push into the TV's tail via the ball/coupler : : This will then push the surge brake master cylinder the same as you would with your foot on : the brake pedal. : : The rod has pistons just like a master cylinder and will then pressurize the hydraulic braking : system of the trailer brakes. Exactly like any car/truck. : : There is a lever with a cable/chain/etc connected to the end of the lever. This is the safety and : is connected to the TV somewhere. : : If the coupler should come off the ball and the safety chains also come off, then the last ditch : thing is this safety cable/chain/etc. : : It will set the trailer brakes 100% by leveraging the rod/pistons : : Surge brakes are the norm on boat trailers, as the axles are submerged often. If sea water, corrosion : of the brakes common on electric brakes, as they have electrical magnets. : : Too many don't know any better, so they pull this safety lever to lock the trailer for storage. : : This exposes the piston rod, which is NOT plated or protected as the design depends on the rod : staying inside the casting of the MC : : This will rust the rod and impair it's function. : : My guess is the the brakes were not working due to a rusty rod and/or the rest of the system not : up to par : : Also, surge brakes will set if you try to back up. There is a lockout pin/rod/etc that you push : in, or engage some how. This could also have been still in place so there were no brakes due to being : locked out. : : Usually on rentals because this does not require a brake controller inside the TV. Just about any : one with a hitch & ball can tow it. : : You can tell by looking at the tongue and coupler. The surge brake (MC) will be apparent
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