*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: my boat is the safe where i store my money...
Hello all.. I have a tandem axle aluminum trailer with drum breaks operated by surge/hydraulic pressure. Is there any way to test to determine if the breaks are still operational? Trailer is about 5 seasons old and has never had break work done on them. Thanks.
Go into an empty parking lot with boat in tow up to30MPH . Slam on your hit your brakes hard. If your boat is in fact heavy enough to require trailer brakes you'll know id they are not working. Do try any faster than 30mph.
The easiest thing to do is remove the wiring harness and try backing up a slight grade. It they are working, you can tell it. If your is like mine, the fifth wire in the harness is connected to your tow vehicle's backup light circuit which deactivates the surge brakes when voltage is applied as you shift to reverse.
I remember when I picked up HOT SPOT, we did have the wiring harness connected properly. I started to back out of the gravel parking lot, the brakes locked up !!! I did not know what the hell was wrong !!! This was my first trailer that has brakes. Live and learn.
I wouldn't try the "slam on the brakes" test...too many things can go wrong.
You can manually move the coupler and see if it locks up the wheels....do this with the boat off the trailer as its much easier to work with. Or, you can spend a little $$$ and go ahead and tear them down, clean the drums, and reassemble. Its just good insurance.
I've jacked up one side of the trailer, spun the wheel with the brake, then walked to the tongue and given the moveable part of the hitch a good shove. In my case the wheel stopped... leaving no doubt.
If they are indeed operated by a surge and not by electric current then try backing the trailer up a slight incline or try going down a steep slope and hit the brakes now and then. You'll know if they are working or not.
I have a true surge brake on my trailer with a manual defeat for going in reverse. If I have it on my steep driveway there is no way I can back up the driveway because the surge brake will activate. When I go straight down the driveway and hit the brakes I can not feel much of a trailer behind me- thus I know the brakes are slowing the trailer.
This is not a scientific test but it works for me. I am sure there are other ways of doing this.
Thanks for the response guys. Much appreciated. I will look into servicing the breaks after the boat is launched for the season (I only use the trailer twice a year, for haul and launch).. Thanks again.
most, not all, of the newer drum brakes are called 'free backing' and will not activate in reverse. I like the jack it up idea and have a helper push on the couple while you turn the wheel
Ditto on the jacking. Heres what to do jack up one side of your trailer with the brake on which ever axel. Put your ball hitch reciever into the trailer tongue. Spin the wheels and go back to you recieve and pump it up and down. If your wheels stop instantly ( and they should) your breaks are working. this is also how you would bleed your brake lines as well. i am going to take a look at mine this weekend as well.
Pete
there is an arm on top of the coupler that you will move back towards the boat, this actuates it(usually the safety cable is on this), you can pump that to see if the brakes are moving.
more likely..you will not have the above, but you will have what looks like a normal coupler with a bolt type piece protruding from the front of the resivoir. put a large screwdriver between that bolt/nut and the coupler and try to compress it, this is how you bleed them as well.
disc brakes sometimes have a solenoid, but drum brakes are free backing.
Do my surge breaks still work? 
