trailer brakes...new owner kinda clueless
 

hello Boaters

I Have A 96 Talari Z215 With The Matching Double Axle Trailer.

When I Hook Up The Lights I Have Lights But I Believe The Trailer Has Surge Brakes...Not 100% Sure Tho...
It's Seems As Tho My Trailer Brakes Are Working....

Do You Have To Have The Brake Controller In The Truck Plugged In?....
I Would Think Only If They Were Electric Brakes You Would Need That..
If The Brake Brake Fluid Is Low Would That Effect It? If They Are Surge Brakes What Happens When U Back Up? I Would Think The Tired Would Lock Up....

Confused

Al

Re: trailer brakes...new owner kinda clueless
 

I'm no expert on trailer brakes but I will throw in my 2 cents on the subject.
You probably have surge brakes on your trailer. If the front section of your trailer tongue moves in and out then they are surge brakes. There are different types of surge brakes. Rotors and drums. Most drums that I have seen have seen have the front shoe design which backs it away from the rotor when in reverse so the tires are allowed to rotate. There are a few designs of rotor surge brakes that I know of. Some of them you have to put a pin in the tongue when in reverse to stop the brakes from being actuated. Some of them have a reverse lockout solenoid which is activated when your tow vehicle's reverse lights come on and allow you to back up without the brakes. I think most of those have a 5 pin wire harness. Brake fluid being low will absolutely affect the way the brakes work. I'm not that sure about how to safely test them other than to try and stop while towing. I think you would know if they were or weren't working. Does your tow vehicle's brakes really labor while trying to stop? You could tow the boat around and use the brakes for a bit and then stop and see if there is any heat coming off the trailer brakes. If they are warm then they are probably working. I'm sure someone on here will have more or better information for you on trailer brakes. Like I said, I am not claiming to be an expert. Check on youtube for some videos on surge brakes, there is usually some "how to" videos on there.

Re: trailer brakes...new owner kinda clueless
 

on a 21 footer i really doubt u are gonna have electric brakes its too small and light weight to have them, almost 100% u have hydraulic brakes which there is no need for hook ups, easist way to tell if they work, go out and drive come to a stop rather quicker than usual to a dead stop. Then start again if u feel a good tug(kinda hard) on take off then u should b fine.

Re: trailer brakes...new owner kinda clueless
 

This is what I feel on mine when I take off from a stop.

If you have disk brakes like I do, I unplug my electical hookup so that the brake release does not activate and trying backing up. My brakes hold enough that my F150 will not back up. You need to be sure your brake fluid is full. If it is to far down you may have air in your lines and you should bleed them.