What Causes Surge Brakes to Drag and Lock Up When Backing The Trailer

Question

Question:

What causes surge brakes to drag and lock up in reverse?

asked by: Peggy B

0

Expert Reply:

When you back a surge brake trailer up a small incline, the weight of the trailer compresses the surge actuator which applies the trailer brakes.

To prevent this from happening you can use free-backing brake assemblies that will provide a bit of initial resistance, but will then let loose and allow you to back the trailer. Depending on the make and model of your coupler, you might be able to install an electric brake lock-out solenoid that would tie into the reverse lamp circuit of the tow vehicle. When the transmission is shifted into reverse, the trailer brakes are automatically shut off, allowing you to back the trailer.

I'd be happy to make some specific suggestions for free backing brakes or a coupler with an electric lock out if you could reply and tell me some more information about your trailer. I'll need to know inside diameter and depth of your brake drums, or if you were interested in the electric-lock out, reply with the manufacturer, model number and capacity of your existing surge coupler.

expert reply by: Mike L

0

Answer 1

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Answer 2

With surge brakes, you have a brake actuator applying the needed pressure to the brakes but to be able to back up you will need to have a manual lockout or an electric lockout solenoid, like #T4748800, which will close when you shift the vehicle…

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Answer 3

Surge brakes use a hydraulic actuator to push fluid to the cylinder piston to activate the brake shoes on drum brakes or brake pads on disc brakes. This pressure should only be applied when weight is pushing against the hitch ball, so no pressure…

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Answer 4

Sounds like your trailer has an electric reverse lockout which prevents the brakes of your trailer from applying so that you can back the trailer up. If now the brakes won't release after the issue you had with someone else backing up the…

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Answer 5

Surge brakes will activate when backing the trailer up unless you do one of two things to address the problem. You can install free-backing brake assemblies on the trailer (I attached a link to a page that has all of the ones we carry) or you can use…

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

The manual lockout on your Atwood 85778 surge brake coupler is there so that you can back up the trailer without the brakes locking up on you. Yes you can safely tow your trailer with the broken manual lockout, you just have to make sure you…

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Answer 9

If your current springs have 5 leaves then going to a 7 leaf spring will increase the height of the trailer a little and make the trailer more susceptible to sway. Regarding capacity if you go with springs rated higher than what is required it will…

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Answer 10

Below is the general process for bleeding an electric over hydraulic brake actuator like #K71-650. Fill reservoir with NEW brake fluid. Never re-use brake fluid that has been salvaged or removed from another system. Remove the key from the breakaway…

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Answer 11

The correct replacement for a Demco Master Cylinder 05680-C is the Replacement Master Cylinder part #5650. I spoke with Demco to confirm this for you.

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Answer 12

For the LCI52-SB-86.5-68.5, the two ending measurements are: 1st - measurement from hub to hub, meaning the length of the axle in this case is 86.5 inches. 2nd - spring seat dimension where they're welded, meaning the spring seats are 68.5 inches…

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What Causes Surge Brakes to Drag and Lock Up When Backing The Trailer

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