Titan Surge Disc Brake Installation on Tee Nee Single-Axle Boat Trailer

Question:

Hello, I have a 1988 Maxum 20 ft. bowrider. Currently the single axle trailer 1988 Tee Nee does not have surge brakes. I would like to rectify this with a set of Kodiak SS brakes, however, the trailer is a boxed frame. How do I overcome this? How would I be able to get the brake line to the actuator? Cut a hole in the back side of the tongue?

asked by: Steven J

Helpful Expert Reply:

The surge coupler you will install to add hydraulic disc brakes to your Tee Nee single axle boat trailer will have its hydraulic fitting at the back of the housing. You can see this solenoid in the linked photo; in actual use this brass fitting would be protected by the solenoid shield that is included in the brake kit # T4843300 you referenced but since this coupler mounts on top of the 3-inch wide channel tongue the hydraulic fitting would be above the trailer tongue to allow connection of the included steel brake lines.

It was once unusual to find electric drum brakes on boat trailers but in recent years many trailer makers have begun to offer electric drum brakes as standard. Despite water and electricity not usually making good partners, just disconnecting the trailer connector from the tow vehicle before backing the trailer into water prevents issues with shorts. Electric drums are also typically a lot easier to install and cost substantially less than disc setups. You do need to add an electric brake controller such as the Prodigy P2 # 90885 to the vehicle but wiring a trailer for electric brakes is usually a lot simpler than plumbing one for hydraulic disc brakes.

To help you determine your best option I have linked articles that cover the entire process of adding both electric drum and hydraulic disc brakes to a trailer.

expert reply by: Adam R