Trailer braking problem

[talltigeguy]

On my way to Lake Powell, I start to brake at a stoplight and suddenly the trailer is bouncing up and down wildly and the wheels seem to lock up (I think). There was enough bouncing that the rear hatch opens and closes with the bouncing. Luckily, I had some extra space before the intersection, and a slight tap on the gas seemed to resolve it.

The same thing occurred without the boat on the trailer when braking at the bottom of the ramp, before turning around to back in. The whole trailer bouncing and coming 6 inches off the ground repeatedly.

I am afraid to hit the brakes too hard now for fear that my boat and trailer are going to start bouncing again. It has not happened again, but I have been extra cautious.

I think that something is wrong with the surge brakes, because even when I brake very slowly and come to a stop, I notice the 'clunk' as the surge releases when I start. That makes me think that the surge mechanism is too soft. Maybe I just have some air in the lines?
What is wrong?

[tigeblue]

It sounds like you have a actuator issue. check the fluid and make sure there is some in there. It may be low. Otherwise your actuator may be failing. If you are towing your trailer with out a your boat your trailer will bounce for sure. Its very normal. If your boat was on it the I would say no messing around and have it looked at by the dealer.

[race fan]

It sure sounds like an actuator to me

[tigeblue]

I had the same problem with my 02 maxum trailer, ended up replacing it.

cost like $250.

[talltigeguy]

THe fluid was slightly low. It took about an ounce or so to get it back up, at the most.

I looked along the brake lines and cannot see any place it might have leaked. I am sure it went somewhere because I topped it off about 9 months ago, so I know it was full back then. Sounds like I need a professional for sure.

[tigeblue]

did the issue go away once you filled it?

[chpthril]

Disk or Drum? Fluid from a leaking wheel cylinder on drum shoes will cause grabbing.

[monteroy]

i sometimes will have this issue with my electric brakes. i dial down the number and it is fixed.

[scoot18]

THe fluid was slightly low. It took about an ounce or so to get it back up, at the most.

I looked along the brake lines and cannot see any place it might have leaked. I am sure it went somewhere because I topped it off about 9 months ago, so I know it was full back then. Sounds like I need a professional for sure.

Just because it was low doesn't mean you have a leak. If you have disc brakes on your trailer; as the brakes pads wear, the piston in the caliper moves farther outward with the graduall wear, which will create a larger volume of fluid in the caliper piston bore, which in turn lowers the fluid level at the reservoir due to more volume of fluid contained from the claipers back to the reservoir. Make sense?

[talltigeguy]

Scoot,
That sounds reasonable. As we might have figured, topping off the fluid did not fix the problem. I think that the actuator needs to be replaced. They are disc brakes.

The trailer will be at a real professional soon as that it did it again today. The trailer starts bobbing up and down, the tires are making serial screeching noises and it just gives a guy the feeling of impending doom.

[xpjim1]

My extreme trailer has begun to act up also. Same boat and trailer set up as talltigeguy. Basically it feels as if the brakes are not releasing from a dead stop and boat and trailer starts hopping. Fluid was a little low and adding more did nothing Next time out i am going to bleed the brakes and lube the actuator as the manual states. Was reading Extreme warranty it is 5 years, but not sure if that includes the actuator as its documentation states 2 years.

[talltigeguy]

You read the manual?!

Talked to a guy today, will first bleed the brakes and open up the trailer to get a close look at the actuator. I suppose reading the manual would be a good idea, I will mention to lube the actuator as well. He thought there might even be adjustments on it that might help decrease the sensitivity.

[xpjim1]

Ok more like scanned it. Was looking for a number for Extreme as I had a notion to bring the boat and trailer back to CA for them to look at. Then I thought that was stupid and i will just find a place in Havasu to look at it. No need to hassle with the gas expense, tow, storing and logistics of that. On a side note it is only supposed to hit 125 cool degrees in Havasu today

[TeamAllen]

I just had our drum brakes swapped out last season for new disc brakes on our Extreme Trailer. My wife noticed the same bouncing problem on an empty trailer going down the ramp at Antelope Point. I guess that is normal since the trailer is empty going down that steep launch ramp with some uneven cement. We don't experience it at Lake Mead when we launch there.

[Coop]

Tall and Jim --

I have the same set up ('05 24V and Extreme trailer) and had the same problem twice on the same trip early last summer. Downhill slope, brakes locked, trailer/boat bouncing all around, narrow road -- scared the $#%* out of me. I took it back to Extreme, and while they did not ever say what caused it, they did bleed the brakes and lube the actuator. No problems since.

I sometimes have the "clunking" problem when accelerating (even very slowly) after a stop. I now spray some lubricant in the actuator at the beginning of trips, and it seems to help. Based on recomendations from others, I use Pedro's extra dry lube for bike chains.