Surge brakes jerking

[Ajax]

Is there any way to reduce the bang of the surge brakes? Very annoying.

 

[Crob83]

Is there any way to reduce the bang of the surge brakes? Very annoying.

When taking off? I doubt it

 

[Ajax]

When taking off? I doubt it

Take off and stopping

 

[Ajax]

When taking off? I doubt it

More so on take off

 

[Yambers]

I agree, annoying, but I always like getting a good jolt when taking off because it ensures me the brakes are released and not dragging. I purposely initially take off a little aggressive just for this reason.

 

[RobbieO]

Is there any way to reduce the bang of the surge brakes? Very annoying.

What do you mean by bang? Is there a metal sound? Like something is loose?

 

[Ajax]

What do you mean by bang? Is there a metal sound? Like something is loose?

Just a thud of surge brakes releasing.
just annoying and feels hard on the tow vehicle.
was wondering if fluid was low are something

 

[RobbieO]

This is a great video if you want to learn how they work. Really easy to work on.

 

[Dave burke]

Great video, watched them both. Wish I had seen them before I replaced my broken safety cable last year. Figure it out eventually but it was a pain.

 

[thorsome]

I have a 2015 shore lander trailer and it just started doing the same thing. Going to change the brake fluid this week to see if that works.

 

[Dave burke]

Maybe try adjusting the brakes first? Why do you think changing the fluid will help?

I’m no expert, but based on the video, these brakes need to be adjusted at least annually (which I’ve never done btw but will start now)

 

[thorsome]

Update: I changed the brake fluid and now the brakes are working again with no more jerking when taking off from a dead stop.
Side note: I realized the brakes were not engaging at all when I moved the trailer to work on it. I say this because I was able to back it up with my tractor without using the lockout key. After changing the fluid, I had to push/pull the trailer a few times, much like pumping a brake pedal, to get them to start working.

 

[Dave burke]

Interesting. Good to hear. Why do you think this solved the problem? Cleared out gunk in the lines or brake fluid loses its hydraulic properties after a while? Or something else?

 

[RobbieO]

Sounds like you had air in the system, and then you bled it out when you changed the fluid.

 

[thorsome]

I don’t know what caused it, but buildup of moisture in the brake fluid seemed to be the most common cause when I googled it, or it may have been

 

[thorsome]

Or it could have been air in the system as suggested by RobbieO. Either way, an issue with the brake fluid was the culprit.

 

[Wayloncle]

I got electric over hydraulic brakes on my new trailer for this reason! I disliked the surge brakes very much.

 

[Ronnie]

I don’t know about surge brake jerking but I have found this little device is very good at reducing the clicking/clacking when I start or stop with a trailer in tow.

 

[Betik]

@Ajax there is only one solution to jerking off surge brakes and that solution is to get married to an electric/hydrolic brake set up. I spend a lot of money her, but those days of jerking on my tow vehicle are long gone and not missed at all.

@MrMoose i think you will get a kick out of my response lol

 

[drewkaree]

Check your tongue weight, and the trailer level. Weight distribution can cause porpoising of your trailer, but if you're not having that problem, you could be close enough that it might be showing up with what you call bang or thud. If the weight or level is off, you could be putting more weight on one axle over the other as well, making it harder to start/stop because you've got one set of wheels that isn't really helping at all, and might be hurting you in this case.