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I am wanting to know what I need to do to properly test and maintain the surge brakes on my boat trailer? I have checked and topped off the brake fluid resevoir and checked all lights and turn signal lamps. I have absolutely no clue as to know if the brakes are properly working and to their best ability.
Easiest way is unplug the trailer lights so that the brake is not disabled when you go in reverse. Put it in reverse (a little gas not much) and see if they lock down.
what does unplugging the lights do? I have never really been able to tell if the brakes work or not. I just assumed they did.
When you unplug the trailer you also disable the bypass valve on the brake system. Without this whenever you put the vehicle in reverse the trailer brakes will lock up.
Go to this website, it will explain everything about your trailer brakes....
http://www.ufpnet.com
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by MikeW07 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Easiest way is unplug the trailer lights so that the brake is not disabled when you go in reverse. Put it in reverse (a little gas not much) and see if they lock down.</td></tr></table>
Make sure you try and back up a little grade, on level road, your trailer just might roll by itself, a grade will make the brakes engage with the trailer lights unhooked. The guy above explained why this happens.
Gotcha! Thanks guys.