Trailer Surge Brake Issue

[Sjc0588]

I am new owner of an AR240. When pulling the boat to the gas station it felt like the trailer was surging. Any suggestions on how to test and repair my surge brakes? Thank you

 

[CastawayRK]

Not sure what you mean by surging but a few things to check: make sure you have full brake fluid resevoir. Visually inspect around the hitch area. Jack up each side and make sure all 4 wheels turn freely. Put in reverse the lockout and drive a short distance. You will NOT have trailer brakes when doing this but it would help you to tell if maybe brakes are actuating on their own.
That’s all I can think of for now.
Let us know what you find
Cheers

 

[Sjc0588]

Great idea to isolate it. I will give it a try. Thanks again

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

There’s a couple of surge brake threads I did, perhaps you will find that information helpful

Thread 'Shorelnd’r wheel bearing & disc brake caliper maintenance'

Jan 31, 2025

This one is a long time coming as I had wanted to do a more comprehensive thread after I got home from WI this summer and had to replace a wear sleeve while I was in WI. While the concept of the replaceable wear sleeve is a good one, it sure would be nice if Shorelnd’r would have included bearing maintenance and wear sleeve replacement in the owners manual. As well, the disc brake owners manual leaves a lot to be desired in terms of maintenance as well as parts.

When I was in WI this summer the drivers side front wheel started spitting some grease, I had worked on this wheel a few years...

• FSH 210 Sport
• Replies: 10
• Forum: General Discussion

• 
• 
• 

Thread 'Changing out the surge brake actuator.'

Jun 11, 2023

Okay,

A few weeks back I checked the brake fluid in the reservoir of the surge brakes… bone dry. I wonder how long it was like that since I’d never checked it before… boo on me. I’m still baffled at where the brake fluid went to. I know the brakes worked two years ago when the big Mule Deer Doe stepped out in front of me on the way to Lake Powell and I slammed on the brakes, the trailer started hopping and left big darkies on the road, damn that was close, my friend and his wife and their boxer dog were riding with me, he said nothing but his wife made a little squeak noise.

So...

• FSH 210 Sport
• Replies: 40
• Forum: General Discussion

• 

You will always feel the actuator pull out to its stops when you accelerate after a stop as the surge brake actuator collapsed a bit to apply the trailer brakes. Another thing to do is to have someone help you and thoroughly bleed the system this is time consuming but can make sure the actuator doesn’t have as much movement if there is air in the system.

@Zackdadams just did a great write up on his 252 trailer brakes complete with power bleeder that would make short work of the bleeding process.

Thread 'FSH 252/255 Trailer Brake Project'

Feb 16, 2025

Tutorial for replacing brake calipers, surge actuator, rotors, and more.

Now a disclaimer: I am not a mechanic.
There are most definitely steps that could be improved in this tutorial!

Tools Needed:

• Large Floor Jack
• Impact Wrench w/ Sockets
• SAE Socket Set
• Channel Locks
• C-Clamp
• Flat Head Screwdriver
• Needle Nose Vice Grips
• Stubby Allen Impact Sockets
• Grease Gun

Part 1: The Calipers, Rotors, & Leaf Springs



I live on the Gulf Coast...

• Zackdadams
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Tow Rigs, Trailers and other things with Wheels

• 

 

[Sjc0588]

There’s a couple of surge brake threads I did, perhaps you will find that information helpful

Thread 'Shorelnd’r wheel bearing & disc brake caliper maintenance'

Jan 31, 2025

This one is a long time coming as I had wanted to do a more comprehensive thread after I got home from WI this summer and had to replace a wear sleeve while I was in WI. While the concept of the replaceable wear sleeve is a good one, it sure would be nice if Shorelnd’r would have included bearing maintenance and wear sleeve replacement in the owners manual. As well, the disc brake owners manual leaves a lot to be desired in terms of maintenance as well as parts.

When I was in WI this summer the drivers side front wheel started spitting some grease, I had worked on this wheel a few years...

• FSH 210 Sport
• Replies: 10
• Forum: General Discussion

• 
• 
• 

Thread 'Changing out the surge brake actuator.'

Jun 11, 2023

Okay,

A few weeks back I checked the brake fluid in the reservoir of the surge brakes… bone dry. I wonder how long it was like that since I’d never checked it before… boo on me. I’m still baffled at where the brake fluid went to. I know the brakes worked two years ago when the big Mule Deer Doe stepped out in front of me on the way to Lake Powell and I slammed on the brakes, the trailer started hopping and left big darkies on the road, damn that was close, my friend and his wife and their boxer dog were riding with me, he said nothing but his wife made a little squeak noise.

So...

• FSH 210 Sport
• Replies: 40
• Forum: General Discussion

• 

You will always feel the actuator pull out to its stops when you accelerate after a stop as the surge brake actuator collapsed a bit to apply the trailer brakes. Another thing to do is to have someone help you and thoroughly bleed the system this is time consuming but can make sure the actuator doesn’t have as much movement if there is air in the system.

@Zackdadams just did a great write up on his 252 trailer brakes complete with power bleeder that would make short work of the bleeding process.

Thread 'FSH 252/255 Trailer Brake Project'

Feb 16, 2025

Tutorial for replacing brake calipers, surge actuator, rotors, and more.

Now a disclaimer: I am not a mechanic.
There are most definitely steps that could be improved in this tutorial!

Tools Needed:

• Large Floor Jack
• Impact Wrench w/ Sockets
• SAE Socket Set
• Channel Locks
• C-Clamp
• Flat Head Screwdriver
• Needle Nose Vice Grips
• Stubby Allen Impact Sockets
• Grease Gun

Part 1: The Calipers, Rotors, & Leaf Springs



I live on the Gulf Coast...

• Zackdadams
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Tow Rigs, Trailers and other things with Wheels

• 

Thank you!!