Surge Brake in the Mountains

C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Nice discussion but one point seems to be overlooked. Surge brake mechanical/hydraulic systems are a mechanical to fluid flow concept and has its own inherent resistive properties. The trailers free roll concept does not allow the brakes to be applied without any pronounced deacceleration. I do not think the brakes are engineered to actuate in this free flow manner. All of my surge brakes that I have had exhibit an audible CLUNK when engaging and that indicates that it takes more than "free flow" to engage them due to intentional designing.
Chief,Industrial Technology Engineer
 
monkeybars

monkeybars

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Dec 8, 2007
303
-mac 26M -26M tucson-san carlos mx
Chief RA said:
Nice discussion but one point seems to be overlooked. Surge brake mechanical/hydraulic systems are a mechanical to fluid flow concept and has its own inherent resistive properties. The trailers free roll concept does not allow the brakes to be applied without any pronounced deacceleration. I do not think the brakes are engineered to actuate in this free flow manner. All of my surge brakes that I have had exhibit an audible CLUNK when engaging and that indicates that it takes more than "free flow" to engage them due to intentional designing.
Chief,Industrial Technology Engineer
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Possibly chief on an old rusty an worn acctuator. the UFP supplied unit on all new Mac 26M trailers when maintained with good rollers no rust can easily be push pulled in and out by hand activating the master cylinder pushrod.most likely a force of 75-100 pounds pushing on it would easily activate enough line pressure to overheat that small 10 inch rotor... maybe your speaking about an old drum setup but surely your nat familiar with the Macgregor UFP equipment..
 
C

Chief RA

.
Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
No, I am not talking about an old system. My 2004 Seaswirl (10"disc brakes) had a surge brake system and no mountain grade problems. The design of the system is such that it does not readily engage at free run concept. They are engineered that way! It is possible to hand engage them but not easily. Your right, I am not familiar with a McGregor system and if the brake system works that poorly they need to be rebuilt or replaced with a quality unit! Look for "China" stamped on the bottom!
Chief
 
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monkeybars

monkeybars

.
Dec 8, 2007
303
-mac 26M -26M tucson-san carlos mx
Oh now don't get all frazzled over being called out. Engaging that smoothly for sure doesn't indicate cheapness in the least, quite the contrary. But I could bury you with facts and you still couldn't see the light...... its just the way some people are....
 
hewebb

hewebb

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Oct 8, 2011
329
Catalina Catalina 25 Joe Pool Lake
I loaned one of my trailers to a friend and forgot to tell him to pin out the surge system in the mountains. Trailer came back with burned out brakes. Some surge systems have a place to put a bolt through that locks it out. Use a grade 8 bolt. Tow vehicle must have excellent braking ability to do this safely. I have switched to electric brakes. They are available for boat trailers.
 
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