Extendo trailer ... Not so much!

[Kermit]

We bought a 1999 H260 with an extending trailer with surge brakes on all 4 wheels. The previous owner had the brakes totally reworked with brand new lines, pads and whatever else it takes to make brakes work correctly. Now that the water is down at our lake I decided to extend the tongue. Boy oh boy was I surprised when I realized the brake line prohibits extending the tongue. I *think* I can have a trailer company put a flexible extension in the brake line but I honestly don't know if that will work. How do y'all handle this?

Thanks!

 

[MABell]

I used a flexible brake line on the trailer that is long enough to reach when the hitch is slid out. Then I just coil it up when retracting the hitch.

 

[Kermit]

Glad to hear that. Thanks for your reply!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Kermit;

IF you add an extension to the line, you may have to rebleed the brake line to ensure that all air is out of the system. Not sure on both axles with brakes as it was standard only on the front axle unless the owner had the brakes added to the second axle.

Before you do anything to the brake line, make sure you do not have any coiled up just behind the extension/

crazy dave

 

[Kermit]

I'll take a picture of what I have. It's clear to me the trailer guy either wasn't aware of the extending tongue or didn't care. Another issue is the brake line is on top of the tongue right where it's natural to step. I have to be very careful of that.

 

[centerline]

I'll take a picture of what I have. It's clear to me the trailer guy either wasn't aware of the extending tongue or didn't care. Another issue is the brake line is on top of the tongue right where it's natural to step. I have to be very careful of that.

it would be easy enough to weld an actual step on there that is a few inches higher, and that may also allow for enough storage area under it to stow the extension line.

its always easier to have an extendo tongue with electric brakes

 

[sesmith]

Here's a link to the hose I replaced this year on my trailer. Not sure if it's the length or fittings you need for yours (you'll have to measure), but it's a pretty common one for extending trailers.

http://www.boattrailerparts.com/search.asp?keyword=h-6f&search.x=0&search.y=0

Why did I replace mine? I stepped on it and cracked the fitting.

 

[Gypsea Kids]

We bought a 1999 H260 with an extending trailer with surge brakes on all 4 wheels. The previous owner had the brakes totally reworked with brand new lines, pads and whatever else it takes to make brakes work correctly. Now that the water is down at our lake I decided to extend the tongue. Boy oh boy was I surprised when I realized the brake line prohibits extending the tongue. I *think* I can have a trailer company put a flexible extension in the brake line but I honestly don't know if that will work. How do y'all handle this?

Thanks!

I just disconnect the brake line at the quick disconnect while loading/unloading the boat.

 

[Kermit]

I don't think I have a quick disconnect. I like that idea. Maybe I can have that added instead of an extension. Thanks!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Kermit;

Look for coiled up brake line which is standard Unless the original owner added a newer line with a short brake line.

 

[John23883]

Here's the picture

Sorry it took so long.

 

[Kermit]

Thank you for the pictures! I'll show them to my trailer guy. I really like the way it appears the brake line will come right out without any help. It also looks pretty easy to put the line back in, too. Thanks again!

 

[Deucer]

I have to check, but I think on my Magic Tilt, the brake reservoir is mounted on the outside sleeve of the tongue housing; ergo, the brake line ever extends. Are you sure they mounted the reservoir in the right place?

 

[Kermit]

Good point. Here it is.

 

[twalker H260]

It looks like somebody thought they knew a better way than the manufacturer! From the surge brake coupling the brake line should go down into the extendable tube going back and coming out of the tube aft of the bolt that prevents the tube pulling completely out of the trailer.

Flexible brake line then goes over on the port side to a point roughly half way between where port and starboard frames join at the front "a" of the frame and the first cross member of the trailer. Flexible brake line allows tube to slide in and out with no intervention required to deal with the break line and nothing needs to be disconnected.

the line going down into the tube in the photo and a drawing of how the aft portion of the brake line works coming out of the tube.

(Photo from George kobernus - h260.com)

 

[Clayton4354]

I only use the extention when unloading and loading my boat. I have caps that seal the ends of the disconnect to keep the water out. It makes life easier. I hope this helps