What is this noise from my trailer?

[Billy Tillamook]

Excuse my ignorance...I have a 1991 double axle e-z loader trailer with surge brakes...I took them to be looked at and "tuned-up" but quite honestly I don't know what it should feel like if there working right. When i go to stop i get this annoying clunk sound is this right? Any suggestions?

[Gundog]

The noise you hear is the brake acctuator working. If you want to know if your brakes are working (disconnect the trailer lights if disc brakes and) just back up if it is hard to back up the brakes are working.
Mike

[TheDandyDuck]

Big clunk may mean adjustment needed. Just a thought. It should be a small clunk when speaking of clunks...

[reeldick]

It's OK. That clunk only happens on trailers with surge brakes.

[tailwind]

Gundog- would this testing of the brakes apply to all surge brake trailers? I have had my ezloader w/ surge and was wondering how to make sure the brakes work bfore towing to the coast.

[Green Machine]

The newer style surge brakes have an over-ride when backing up. This is very handy at the ramp or backing uphill!! You should be able to tell if they are working when stopping. They should NOT clunk loud. If they do, they are out of adjustment. This means the actuator is slamming all the way back to the end of it's travel. The other cause is air in the fluid or low on fluid. A few things to check.

Green Machine

[Gundog]

Green machine is right. The newer brakes with the override work from the reverse lights that is what operates a solenoid and stops the brakes from locking up when backing. If you have this newer type you will see the little valve externally (at least mine is external)Disconnect the light plug and try to find a small incline to back up against if it is the older type you won't have this override and you can feel the brakes by just backing it up an incline. With your window down you will probably hear the brakes as well. You should feel them when stopping quickly also.
Mike

[KChookem]

There are several other things you can check...

Your receiver, the ball mount shaft, or the ball itself, may have some play, allowing the clunking noise. Also look at the pin or lock that holds the ball mount in the receiver. Obvioulsy, the ball must be securely mounted to the ball mount.

Make sure the axle is tight to the trailer frame; same with other attachments to the trailer frame.

While this is unusual, make sure there is not too much slack in the tongue where it fits down on the ball. The tongue should be secure and freely move around the ball when turning, and going over dips, etc. It should not have a lot of sloppiness. If needed, there should be an adjustment nut on the underside of the tongue.