Trailer brake issue

[plbass]

Friend has a single axle trailer and the brakes don't work. Took it to get looked at and they told him he needed all new brake lines. Quoted $3000. for the job. He declined and took the boat home. Could he remove the brake line from master cylinder and put a plug in and fill with fluid and drive? He's worried about the play in the tongue when starting and stopping.

[DaveBrabec]

Fix the brakes or fix the tow rig brakes later.

[bgibson]

Use something like this

Magnetic Boat Trailer Surge Brake Lockout Key, with Easy Release Strap,

[gdi]

Depends on what state he is in and the weight of the rig trailer included. The might be required by law.

[mikeky]

Depends on what state he is in and the weight of the rig trailer included. The might be required by law.

And knowingly disabling the brakes, even if brakes not required, could get sticky if he gets in a wreck. 3k is about 2.8k too much.

[SoonerFan]

Is running new lines DYI out of the question? Speaking strictly from ignorance, I have to ask, how hard could it be? I've tackled several jobs on my trailer that I had no clue about how to do before I had to. Boat owners have the unfortunate choice of either digging into the problem and fixing it themselves or digging into their wallet.

What's wrong with the lines now that requires remove & replace the whole system? Can they not be bled and pressured up?

[plbass]

Never thought about insurance if he gets in a wreck and the brakes were disabled. From what I was told that his brake lines are rotted out. He's going to launch his boat in a local pond and we'll check the trailer brakes then.

[WisconsinF]

May I suggest you install a new system?
Not that hard of a job.
I replaced my entire system from actuator to calipers this last winter.
Got rubber sections from NAPA and Amazon and my local Ma & Pa auto repair shop bent me new steel lines.
I took my old ones to them and they just copied them.
My neighbor helped me bleed them once everything was installed.

[plbass]

It's not my trailer but i'm going highly suggest new brake lines.

[MikeF]

From what I was told that his brake lines are rotted out.

What model year is the trailer?

[SoonerFan]

I just did a quick search and found that Demco sells a brake line kit for a little over $100 and YouTube has instructions on how to do it.....

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...xoCS6oQAvD_BwE



They block the dang video... WHY?? Click the link. ^^

[javelin90]

Single axle parts
2 complete caliper assemblies with pads depending on brand $250
Brake actuator if ufp 60A $315
Brake lines and hoses about $150
About $800 all done.
About an 8 hour job with proper tools.

I just replaced my Ufp60A as the seal for the master cylinder was leaking. Could not find the piston or seal for the plunger after looking at many places.

[plbass]

The boat is a 2000 Stratos. Not sure of the trailer manufacturer.

[MikeF]

The boat is a 2000 Stratos. Not sure of the trailer manufacturer.

Can't see the actual trailer condition, but it might not be worth putting any money into it if the brake lines are truly rotted out and it is a tube trailer.

C channel trailer you can inspect.

C channel is very easy to replace brake lines.

Tube trailer is a little bit of a challenge to change brake lines, but not a 3G challenge.

[plbass]

Will know more this coming week. I'm thinking it's the flex lines but will find out soon.

[krindgen]

Is running new lines DYI out of the question? Speaking strictly from ignorance, I have to ask, how hard could it be? I've tackled several jobs on my trailer that I had no clue about how to do before I had to. Boat owners have the unfortunate choice of either digging into the problem and fixing it themselves or digging into their wallet.

What's wrong with the lines now that requires remove & replace the whole system? Can they not be bled and pressured up?

What I was gonna say. Can buy the good flex lines in all kinds of premade lengths.

[fishn]

I dealt with Grant at Waymires and got new (2) hubs with bearings and races, new calipers with pads, new master cylinder, shock absorber, flexible brake lines, bearing buddies and grease seals and solenoid for somewhere around $630 last fall including $50 for shipping (not far from Indy). Still don’t have it installed, but have it for if/when I get to it. Even sent me detailed instructions. Very good to deal with.

[mactlman]

any decent car guy can fix this find a small local shop and see if they will help

[RickCamilleri]

It super easy to replace. I replaced my steel hoses with rubber ones, bled it and good to go. Pacific trailer

[wbrown]

$3000 for a single axle trailer brake install?

I'm in the wrong business.

I'd drive to the next state to do it for that.