[jimbo54]

Ok, dumb question, but I'm talking to a guy out of state about buying his 19ft. Mariah Bowrider. The boat seems really great, but he says there may be an issue with the surge brakes on trailer. It has the original '97 Chariot single axle with it. I'm going to tow this boat with a 2010 Toyoya Tacoma Prerunner, but I need those brakes. Gentleman said he's not sure if they are working or not, but he's using a larger truck to tow.
What can I look at or try when I go look at this boat to tell if the brakes are functioning normally? If not, are there any "normal" problems or fixes I can try? Thanks for any help..

[jarwiebe]

If it has surge disc brakes, you can try baking up without the brake lockout pin in place and without the trailer wiring plugged in to the truck. The brakes should engage and you should feel it. Not sure about drum brakes, I believe they don't engage when backing up.

[99 Mariah 258]

My surge brakes don't work right now but I live 1 mile from my ramp so I'm not worried about fixing it now...the main problem with my brakes is that they have a leak somewhere so the master cylinder in the tongue of the trailer has no resistance so when I brake it slides forward and makes a huge clunk and if you accelerate to hard it will clunk back.....the tongue is just loose so it slides forward and back...it's horrible...That being said I drove it 180 miles home like that. It just scared me the first times it did it .......I guess you can check the fluid and if it doesn't do the clunk you should be good ....my boat and trailer weigh about 6700 pounds and I pull it with a 02 F150 2wd with Limited slip rear end

[jimbo54]

I'm thinking that it being a '97 model, the brake shoes could just be worn down. If I buy this boat, I'll have about a 125 mile trip back home on the interstate so I guess if I just take it easy and watch everything, it should be ok. Thanks all..

[husker_fan]

If it's like mine was, everything is bad. I replaced almost everything except the drums. Master cylinder, lines, complete backing plate assembly. I towed mine a few times with my Chevy Traverse without issue. Point is, even if everything is bad, all parts are readily available. I had less than 300 in parts to replace all that.

[tonyi]

Hi everyone, been a long time since I've been on here but need some help. I have a 1996 Mariah 2244 Jubilee with a Chariot trailer under it that I purchased late last year. The surge brakes were not working and it looks like the Master Cylinder had been dry for some time and had rusted up. The boot on the front of the master cylinder was rotten, pin was rusted. You get the idea. I'm pretty sure the whole thing needs to be replaced. Anyone have an idea how the master cylinder is removed from the frame? It is pretty rusty and after doing some hammering on it today nothing seems to budge. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Brian Belcher]

Your lucky day !
A project I'm doing right now. You should have the Titan 10/20 surge brake assembly. Go to a boat trailer supply house and double check.
If it is, Chariot welded the side sq tubes over the four bolts that hold the cylinder in there.
Go look and see if you have the Titan unit before I go into one of my infamous, long winded explanations.

[tonyi]

Thanks Brian. I thought this reply had already went through, but I'll send it again. Yes mine does have the Titan 10/20 master cylinder assembly. Looks to be welded on the inside of the frame! Need some help to get it out for replacement. Thanks.

[Brian Belcher]

Search results for: 'titan 10/20'

This place seems to have everything.
I haven't gotten around to mine yet but hopefully this weekend !
If you pull everything apart that you can, you'll just barely be able to see the bolt heads on the side center tube.
I'm not going to type all this out on second thought. I'll make a video and send it to someone on here (ShabahZ280???) who can edit and post it up. You're going to have to cut four holes, 3/4" hole saws, through th side of the outer frame tubing. I'll do my best on measurements but the final place to cut on yours will be up to you.
Give me a week or so and I'll get it done.

[tonyi]

That's what I was thinking I was going to have to do. Pretty poor design by the Chariot manufacturer.