Troubleshooting Back and Forth Braking While Towing a Boat Trailer with Surge Actuator

Question:

I just purchased a new Loadrite 9940lb GVWR Boat trailer. The trailer is a two axle with hydraulic brakes on the front set of wheels only. I was on my way to pick up my boat in Brooklyn by interstate. When I was heading down hill and if I hit a bump and used my brakes my Chevy Avalanche would cycle locking up and disengaging violently until I came to a complete stop. Then I could keep going. You can imagine how dangerous that is driving into New York. It almost acted like a feedback loop. The trailer is hydraulic system seems to work against the trucks ABS brakes. Have you ever heard of anything like this? Thanks in advance

asked by: Adam L

Expert Reply:

Yes we have heard of that before. Since a hydraulic actuator activates your trailer brakes by compression when you are going downhill the weight of the trailer is already putting pressure on that compression. Then when you hit a bump it is jolting your 2004 Chevy Avalanche and trailer enough that the actuator is activated and causes the brakes on your trailer to lock up. The only way to keep this from happening is to keep the actuating coupler on your trailer "stretched out". This means that you either need to speed up when going over a bump or slow down enough so that your truck and trailer are traveling at the same speed.

You could potentially lock out your surge actuator and install an electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) actuator like part # HBA-10 for drum brakes of # HBA16 for disc brakes instead. An EOH actuator will only activate the brakes on your trailer when you use the brake pedal in your Avalanche via an electric brake controller. This setup gives you the accuracy of an electric brake system coupled with the power of a hydraulic system. Obviously your trailer is brand new so it would be worth towing it around for a bit and getting a feel for towing with this setup before modifying your trailer.

expert reply by: Jon G