Hydraulic Surge Brakes: 2 Important Ways to Minimise Trailer Brake Repairs
Hydraulic surge braking systems help to activate the brakes of a trailer when that trailer gets detached from the tow vehicle accidentally. However, those surge brakes can have some adverse effects on your trailer's brakes if you don't take some precautions when using the surge brakes. This article discusses some of the ways through which you can minimise trailer brake problems that are connected to defects in the installation or operation of hydraulic surge brakes.
Pay Attention to the Chain Assembly
Hydraulic surge brake systems have chains or cables that help to activate the brakes in case the trailer is detached from the tow vehicle during a trip. Some trailer brakes wear out prematurely if the chains are not connected with sufficient slack to allow the trailer to negotiate corners easily as it is being towed. That short chain or cable may end up partially activating the surge brakes as you take a turn in the road. This partial activation may go unnoticed since the handling of your tow vehicle may not change significantly. Heat can build up inside the brakes of the trailer when you keep towing a trailer with partially activated surge brakes. Brake component life will end up being shortened by this excessive heat. Avoid this problem by attaching the chain or cable with sufficient slack in order to avoid the accidental activation of the hydraulic surge brakes.
Extend the Brake Coupler Fully
The frequent repairs on the brakes of your trailer may also be resulting from incorrect parking habits. For instance, it is wrong to disconnect the trailer from your tow vehicle if its hydraulic surge brake coupler is not in the towing position. This is because sections of the master cylinder will stay exposed to the elements. Corrosion can quickly result in case that master cylinder was made from a susceptible material, such as cast iron.
Another problem associated with parking the trailer when the coupler isn't in the towing position is that the brake shoes will become attached onto the rotor or brake drum. You are therefore likely to start towing the trailer when its brakes are partially or fully locked. Attempts to force the brakes to unlock can cause them to become damaged. These issues can be avoided if the coupler is fully extended when you park the trailer.
You will notice a gradual reduction in the repair costs of the trailer's braking system if you implement the suggestions above when you install hydraulic surge brakes on that trailer. Seek for expert advice for more about trailer repairs.
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