Trailer Brakes

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Jonathan Costello

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May 24, 2004
150
Hunter 23.5 Cypremort Point, LA
For those of you that have trailer brakes on your trailers but leave them inoperable for one reason or another and you think that trailering isn't that bad without them. Let me tell you that you can't believe the difference in driving with them fully functioning. I live in South Louisiana where it is very flat and when I had towed in the past I left plenty of stopping room in front of me and only towed the boat to my house from where I store it and have always planned to rebuild the brake system. I recently trailered my boat to Arkansas and rebuilt my brake system prior to the trip. I must say that I immediately noticed the difference when towing the boat with fully functional brakes. From a safety and legal standpoint there is no question that you should have functioning brakes. But also from a wear and tear on your tow vehicle brakes and ease of driving there is no question that towing is much easier. If they are adjusted properly, as soon as you apply a little pressure to your brake pedal you can feel the trailer brakes start to function. The bottom line is that if you don't have properly functioning brakes, do yourself a favor and get them repaired or do it yourself if you have the know how. It will be money well spent. If anyone has any questions please feel free to e-mail me or reply on the forum. Thanks Pat;) Jonathan
 
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kingprawn

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Aug 9, 2004
144
Hunter 22 Kingston, Wa
cost?

What did you have to do to get you brakes working again? What was the overal cost of the repair? My trailer came with no brake lines and the actuator in the coupler is completely shot. I'm starting a savings plan for this now because it looks like it will cost anywhere from about $150 (coupler and brake lines only) to $700 if I have to put on new backplates which will probably result in new drums, wheels, tires, and maybe even a new axel. Fortunately I only live 3 miles from one launch and 4 miles from another. I towed my boat home from delivery (about 80 miles) without incident, but I would feel much more legal and safe with the brakes working.
 
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Tom2909

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May 27, 2004
225
- - Boston
Check this site out for replacement parts...

See link, request free catalog to be mailed to you. I replaced my rusted out drums and cheap coupler with good Tiedown parts: new coupler, disk brakes on both axles and all new brake lines all for about $700 complete. Did the work myself. An experienced mechanic could do it in about 6 to 8 hours, it took me about twice that. Not too hard and instruction are pretty clear. Instructions are included in the catalog, so you can get a feel for what it takes. Fair winds, Tom
 
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Jonathan Costello

King Prawn

Fortunately for me my brake pads, springs and drums/hubs were OK. I needed new bearings, races and seals for about $50 total. This is of utmost importance to make sure your bearings are good and well packed with grease. Good brakes aren't worth jack when you have a bad bearing red hot and smoking. Invest in some bearing buddy's if you don't have them yet. The coupler was $100. My stainless steel flexible brake line to accomodate the extendable tongue was $50 (Thanks Pat!) The wheel brake cylinders were $25 each. The stainless brake line kit was $90. Tom is correct regarding Tie Down Engineering. They produce quality products. I think they analyzed all the design flaws with the other couplers on the market and designed a coupler that eliminates the design flaws. All in I am looking at about $300 without drums/rotors and brake kits doing the work myself (with the exception of pressing in the new races and seals and packing the new bearings). I have also attached link of a retailer. Hope this helps.
 
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J. Costello

Oops on the link!:eek:

Tom put the same link. What does that tell you about the retailer?
 
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Pat

Trip Pics

Still waiting for those trip pictures Jonathan! Glad your brakes worked out! See ya on the water! Pat
 
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