boat trailer repair

[Pelagic Captain]

The surge actuator on my trailer is shot...slams back and forth when starting and stopping ...does anybody have a tutorial on changing this out ..it looks simple enough but I may be missing something ...also how do you bleed the system after installation...thanks

[fishknot]

I assume your surge brake housing is bolted on. The actuator assembly is really a simple mechanism and the guts can be replaced if you can actually find them. I've not had much luck here in Montana. I've found that it is usually cheaper considering time and parts to get the entire unit new and replace it. Once you get everything hooked up and if you do not have a brake bleeding pump, get a heavy set of vice-grips and clamp it to the coupler. Make sure the coupler is in the neutral (towed) position. When you open the brake bleeding nipple on the wheel, have someone put slow steady pressure on the vice-grips to actuate the pump. Close the nipple, and put the coupler in the neutral position and repeat until the line is clear of air. Do the same on the other side. Hope that helps.
Rod

[BalouSC]

I just completed this repair on my trailer. What I found is that the whole assembly was shot. All the mounting holes and component holes were rounded out and oblong from lots of use. In my case, mine bolts on. I simply went down and bought a whole new one for about $140 and replaced it. I also needed to anyways because I switched to disk brakes. Make sure if you replace yours that you get the right one. Drum and disk brakes use different master cylinders. As far as bleeding goes. I simply detached the small shock obsorber and push the actuator by hand like you would on a car....If yours welds on, you may want to rebuild it instead. Call Rodrigo at Century Trailers in Wilsonville, he can get you anything you need. 503-682-0510. Feel free to ask if you have anymore questions, I got most of my answers from here on Ifish when I did mine. Also, disk brakes with a new actuator.....the bees knees when towing my friend!!!! Cheers! Balou

[JuneHog]

if the trailer is used around salt, replace the actuator/coupler. salt causes hidden damage.

i just did mine this winter, used around the salty stuff. replaced drums with SS discs and new hvy duty actuator/coupler. Tie Down Engineering uses a hvy coat of hot galvanize on theirs.
new SS lines. new SS spring U bolts. new hvy duty galvanized wheels and went larger on the tires. new LED trailer lights

try http://www.championtrailers.com/ for good service, advice and prices.
they carry the actuator guts/parts. need a solenoid brake line valve if you go disc.