Surge brakes?

I have a Shorelander trailer with surge brakes. When I slow to a stop, I understand the inertia of the trailer compresses a cylinder to apply the brakes on the trailer. But, when I once again procede, as at a stop sign, the trailer does not follow smoothly. There is a definite clunk when the “slack” is taken up. This should not be, I believe. Is this a case of just low on fluid? There is no leak showing on she floor where is is parked. Are there parts broken?

sounds like one of the brakes is hanging up

Could it be that the slack is actually in your reciever? I have a similar problem with mine (ranger trail) but have always just wrote it off as a reciever problem rather than a brake problem.

Actually, as I was told, you should hear a “clunk” when you pull forward from a stopped position. As you are driving and come to a stop, the trailer moves forward, as a result engaging the surge brake. When you accelerate, the trailer slides back, when it goes all the way back (maybe an inch)you hear the “clunk” and the surge brake is released. You will notice just back from the tongue there is an oblong hole for manually plugging, eliminating the surge. That sould be where the “clunk” comes from.

Sounds normal. Every trailer with Surge brakes I’ve owned has made that “clunk” when taking off from a stop. There is a actuator that rides front to back, when you’re at normal speed it’s back, when you hit the brakes the force of the trailer against your tow vehicle causes this actuator to push forward and engage the brakes. Now that you’re stopped the actuator is in the forward position and the brakes on the trailer are applied. When you take off from a stop the actuator and or pin that applies the actuator has to return to it’s normal unapplied position. This is the “clunk” you hear. Some trailers will clunk louder if it’s low on brake fluid, check that first off. But, this clunk sounds normal to me.

BIRDDOG

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You will notice just back from the tongue there is an oblong hole for manually plugging, eliminating the surge.

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That’s used in situations where you need to back the trailer up an incline. It will keep the brakes from locking up.

I’ll agree the clunk is normal. It may be sticking a little, then releasing causing a more pronounced clunk. I’d inspect the area for dust and grit and clean if necessary. I’d hit it with a shot of Deep Creep or some other lube.

The fluid level can be check by removing that nut on top. The level should be filled all the way to the top. (It’s not under any pressure.) If it is low, you should bleed out the entire system back to the tires. Esay job for 2 guys. Just use a very large screwdriver to actuate the brake pump when your helper opens and closes the breather at the wheel.

-J.

sorry to jump in but I’ve got the same problems… just planned on tackling it this a.m. When you bleed the brakes are you just looking to get all of the air out of the system, then adding fluid to top it off?

There is not a lot of fluid in the system so I bleed them till clean fluid is coming through.

-J.

great, thanks Jon… I appreciate it

I’ve had the same clunk sound on my shorelander, and have been reading this thread with great interest….let us know how the bleeding goes…will take a look at mine later in the week.

The clunk is not uncommon, but more likely with an actuator that moves farther due to drum brakes that are worn or need adjusting. Most drum brakes do not automatically adjust like cars do.

well, I bled out the brakes on the Ranger Trail (disk brakes) this afternoon… was able to do it by myself by running the bleeder hose into a clear bottle of brake fluid. Pumped the actuator with a bar until I had steady fluid coming through, moved to the other side did the same thing. I also spent some time working on my reverse lockout solenoid and found that the culprit was a bad ground wire. After putting everything back together the trailer is working awesome… no annoying clunk when I pull forward, great brakes, and best of all the reverse lockout works off of my backup lights so I don’t have to get out and manually lock out the actuator… sweeeeeeet! Thanks for the help and advice

Just another note one Clunking Breaks. A little clunking is normal, a lot is not. Just adding fluid will not fix the problem once you get air in your lines. You have to bleed each line to get the air out of the system. Check your fluid occaisionally also. The clunking will get worse as your fluid level goes down.