Trailer Surge Brakes

[Bad Obsession]

How painful (costly) will this be?

I have a 1989 Performance dual axle trailer for my Compac 23. I need to have the surge brakes repaired.

From what I can tell there isn't any fluid in the lines at all. The P.O. told me that he never used the trailer so it has been sitting like this for 4 years or so.

I probably need a new actuator and new brake lines. I at least need new wheel cylinders also. I am hoping that my brake pads, drums, etc. are in okay shape.

Any idea what this kind of repair should run?

 

[Nils T]

The actuator and lines will cost you under $130. I recently bought some. I have not looked at the brake on the trailer so I have not priced them.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I am having a mechanic do the work. I could probably do the install but I don't want to try to bleed the brake lines and adjust the brakes. The brakes are there for safety so I want someone with experience to make them safe.

Labor rate is $75 an hour.

I am guessing that the entire system could be replaced for around $1000 but that is just a guess. I had one place quote me $1500 over the phone. I won't go there!

 

[Benny17441]

How about doing some testing on what you got? Fill it up with brake fluid and bleed the air out of the lines. Activate the actuator and see what happens. The brake cylinders could be frozen and need replacement or leak brake fluid and just need new seals. If he did not use the trailer it was not exposed that much to salt water. You can take off the bearings and remove the wheels and inspect the shoes. Since you are thinking of replacing the brakes don't fear doing any damage. The thing is you may find out some components might still be good and others repairable and you may find the install is not as difficult as you may think and if you have to just hire a professional to bleed the lines and adjust the brakes for your peace of mind. You will enjoy that Compac 23 as it handles like a much larger boat.

 

[Nils T]

Replacing the actuator is easy. Adding the lines will be easy also. I didn't tackle the problem yet because I have to remove the hubs and I don't have the time right now. I don't think it will be a big problem. I do know that the current lines are old and rusty so I suspect that I will have to replace some brake components which should not cost that much.

The current hitch is not 2" which is the size for heavier boats.

 

[captcoho]

Don't forget about pulling the wheels and installing new seals and repacking the bearings, and get bearings buddies if you plan on travelling any distance.

 

[caguy]

Cheaper and easier to replace backing plate cylinder and brake. Check with your local laws you may not even need them.

IE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Trailer-3...Parts_Accessories&hash=item25778fd5a2&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UFP-Trailer...Parts_Accessories&hash=item54082e3c10&vxp=mtr

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The actuator has a fluid resivour which can be cleaned out but it is the pumping mechanisim inside any actuator that goes bad what many fail to recognize. That part is standard but different from reg. brakes to disc brakes. You can order that or buy from a trailer supply and the cost is around $75. The lines may have debri in them and generally can be cleaned out. I use to pump brake fluid thru and if clean, felt fine using them but if metal shards, then the lines needed to be replaced. As for the brakes, yes I would check them too. Some states do require inspection so check your locality. As for cost of parts, I believe the actuator alone will cost more than $130. Check out price for example at West Marine.

Brakes are important and need to be maintained which often as a dealer I saw that to be true half of the time. If you do not know what you are doing, best to get a mechanic who does.

As for replacing bearings, go about 10 to 15 miles and real hot, then you have a bearing issue. When replacing bearings, also replace the racers or the bearing face which the bearings go around and around as they too do wear out. If no buddy bearings of any kind, suggest that you put them on.

 

[Bad Obsession]

The nice thing about them doing a brake job is that they will get a look at the bearings.

It does have buddy bearings.

BIG SCORE! Last night found two trailer tires on galvanized rims. The tires were bought to use as a spare and stored in a garage. They have not been in the sun nor on the asphalt. The price was $30 for both! At least I have two spares now!

I am still waiting for an estimate from a company that is a mobile trailer mechanic. I will let you know what it is when it comes in.

 

[shanester]

If you trailer a lot of miles then I would replace everything on a 25 year old trailer: actuator, lines with ss, and disk brakes on both axles. Some states require brakes on all axles. We have trailered our boat over 40K miles and love the disk brakes over the drum brakes. They are self adjusting and do not need flushed out on the inside after being dipped in salt. If you are trailering only local for the season then just fix what is broken. ~5K lbs is a lot to stop without trailer brakes unless you have a very heavy duty truck.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I got an estimate from another place for the repairs.

The place is in MD and they are a mobile trailer repair place. They are replacing the entire brake system and also the rear hugs (bearings and all) for $999.44. This is about what I was counting on so I authorized the repair.

I do need to put new lights on the trailer. Apparently the inspected the entire trailer. The good news is that the axles, springs, and other parts are fine (including tires). He also said something about the jack but that is something I will eventually do when I feel like it (nothing pressing).

Adding Disk brakes was much more expensive. I don't want to go there with the money that I would have to put in it.

www.legendarytrailers.com

 

[dscribner]

I replaced my entire system last year. About 3 hours work. Actuator (coupler), hubs, bearings, calipers, rotors and pads. The only things I left were the brake lines which I had replaced with rubber and brass 5 years ago (but they were included in the kit). $380 for everything; TieDown Engineering so they are a name brand. I had installed drums 5 years ago but salt water destroyed them, even with a wash-down system.

Bleeding takes another 20 minutes, a screw driver and a quart of DOT 3 brake fluid. Pretty easy stuff really.

 

[Bad Obsession]

The brake job is done and the boat is now home. It was an uneventful tow. Funny, the first time I was every happy to see traffic because it kept things nice and easy. My tacoma did great for the tow.

Dropping the mast single handed without a system was a bear. I am not sure if I would want to do that again but I managed to do it without dropping or breaking anything.

 

[dscribner]

Good lookin' boat.

If you plan on trailering often, stepping the mast is no big deal once you figure it out. Use a gin pole and some temp stays. Just takes a few minutes. You can see a bunch of videos on line.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I love the looks of this boat. She feels solid even though she is a smaller boat. It isn't as hefty as I am use to (Previous boat was a Catalina 30). She will definitely do.

either way she is home and slowly getting some refit work done. It is all minor stuff but I want to have her just right by next season. I am not sure if my season is done or if I will launch a few times. The ramps in my area may be an issue and I am going to be really dependent on a high tide.

We will see what happens.