Bad Trailer Brakes- removing entirely??

[scooter205]

So the brakes in my trailer are not working and probably have not worked for quite some time. The previous owner only trailered it about 50 ft to boat ramp and never needed them. My question is since my boat is not really heavy, would it be okay to run 1 or 2 heavy bolts through the tongue to keep it from sliding back and forth? There is not an existing hole to run one through but I can just remove the actuator and drill through the tongue and put some strong bolts in there to keep it from moving while towing.

Thoughts or pics of anyone else that has done this? I could also just weld the actuator housing to the trailer but didn't want to do this in case we sold it and someone wanted trailer brakes again.

[CottagerGreg]

Legally if you are over 3500lbs trailer and boat you need brakes. One axle.

That said spend some money on getting it fixed. If ever in accident and you by-passed breaks your insurance maybe null

[curver900]

So the brakes in my trailer are not working and probably have not worked for quite some time. The previous owner only trailered it about 50 ft to boat ramp and never needed them. My question is since my boat is not really heavy, would it be okay to run 1 or 2 heavy bolts through the tongue to keep it from sliding back and forth? There is not an existing hole to run one through but I can just remove the actuator and drill through the tongue and put some strong bolts in there to keep it from moving while towing.

Thoughts or pics of anyone else that has done this? I could also just weld the actuator housing to the trailer but didn't want to do this in case we sold it and someone wanted trailer brakes again.

if they aren't working then why care if the actuator moves? just leave well enough alone and call it a day... or... MCOD... and fix it..

[Jeffrobinson1327]

I just installed the Hydrastar electric-hydraulic asystem on my trailer. My trailer is a 2014 and the brakes were not very effective compared to those of my enclosed trailer. A pretty easy DIY. About $700 total and statistically much safer than surge. (According to their website.)

[slalomjunkie]

if they aren't working then why care if the actuator moves? just leave well enough alone and call it a day... or... MCOD... and fix it..

Because the CLUNK sucks when starting or stopping.

[scooter205]

Because the CLUNK sucks when starting or stopping.

Yes, the clunk is very annoying.

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[jlane330]

I fixed my UFP sliding tongue last summer when I installed electric brakes on the axles. I removed the master cylinder and shock and replaced with a steel tube. The steel tube has two smaller tubes on each end that mimic the master cylinder and pick up the cross pins. From the outside it looks completely stock, just doesn't slide. Sorry, don't have any pics.

I also considered replacing the inner slide with a piece of steel tube and a new coupler. Forget the size, but it would be a standard piece of rectangle tube (3x4 maybe?). Might be an easier, and reversible, solution.

If it were me, I'd want brakes. That said, I have all the UFP parts I removed from mine for sale. Calipers, master cylinder, rotors. etc. If you're interested, let me know.

[mikeg205]

Fix the brakes - be safe -- the clunk on the surge brake can be fixed with a fresh shock in the actuator. if the brakes aren't stopping well on the surge brakes they need to be adjusted... most of the problems stem from poor bleeding.

[scooter205]

It looks like the problem is it was never serviced. Rust down in the reservoir and I haven't even tried to look at the lines but they may be shot too.

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[Miss Rita]

I too have a '92 PS 205 with single axle trailer. It seems that at least a couple of times a year I have an OH $HIT moment when I need to stop RIGHT NOW! I replaced the old rusty drums, contaminated lines, and rusty actuator with new disks, composite lines and a hinged actuator. It works great, no clunk, and no more fecal puckering.

[scooter205]

I too have a '92 PS 205 with single axle trailer. It seems that at least a couple of times a year I have an OH $HIT moment when I need to stop RIGHT NOW! I replaced the old rusty drums, contaminated lines, and rusty actuator with new disks, composite lines and a hinged actuator. It works great, no clunk, and no more fecal puckering.

How much did all if that run you if you don't mind me asking?

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[CottagerGreg]

UFP makes a great kit and parts.

[Miss Rita]

How much did all if that run you if you don't mind me asking?

It was about $500. I bought UFP disk brakes, because they didn't require an adaptor plate to attach to the four bolt flange that's welded to the axle.

You'll need : 1) brake kit 2) A60 inner slide replacement member and 3) rubber brake lines, a 21' foot piece to go from the actuator back to the axle, a tee fitting, an 18" piece to go to the left brake, and a 5' piece to go to the right brake. As an alternative, you can buy a 5' steel line at your local auto parts store to cross to the right brake.

PM me if you'd like.

[curver900]

Fix the brakes - be safe -- the clunk on the surge brake can be fixed with a fresh shock in the actuator. if the brakes aren't stopping well on the surge brakes they need to be adjusted... most of the problems stem from poor bleeding.

agreed but after I took mine apart and looked at the cost of the parts it was a no brainier to get a new actuator...

I ended up putting in a new actuator and pads and all was good.. the clunking surprisingly went away

IIRC the actuator cost me $150 - $170...

If you need to do the entire replacement thing then it will be much more.. I have a 2001 so I could just replace it...

[toddvdh]

Legally if you are over 3500lbs trailer and boat you need brakes. One axle.

That said spend some money on getting it fixed. If ever in accident and you by-passed breaks your insurance maybe null

That varies state to state. WI is even lower.

Trailer brakes are required if the trailer and load exceed 3,000 pounds or if the trailer's gross weight exceeds the empty weight of the towing vehicle. RE: Wisconsin statute 348.10 (4)

That reminds me, my brakes locked up the end of last summer and i just pulled the hoses and got them to release. I should probably fix them soon.

Although with the weather up here, I have time.

What tow vehicle do you use? I have an F-250 so it wasn't too bad the 2-3 times i used it without brakes. I did it one time with a sequoia and wouldn't want to do it again.