[Rhodes22-list] Trailer brake disconnect?

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Alexis,

Anytime you break open a hydraulic fitting, even a quick disconnect, you run the risk of introducing contamination and air bubbles into the brake system.  This is likely to cause trailer brake failure out in the middle of nowhere.  It’s far better to have a sufficiently long flexible brake line that can accommodate the trailer tongue extension without having to break open the hydraulic system.  I would go to a shop that specializes in trailers vs. a big box auto parts store like Pep Boys.  The shop will very likely have to fabricate your hydraulic line from scratch using bulk tubing and swaged fittings.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

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From: Alexis Seigneurin<mailto:alexis.seigneurin at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 8:56 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Trailer brake disconnect?

Hi Roger,

Thanks for your response.

Yes, the flexible hose is preventing me from extending the tongue further than a foot or so. Are you thinking I can get the flexible hose replaced with a longer one?

I thought the way to go was to use a quick disconnect, but I know close to nothing about trailers...

If I were to make any change, is a store like Pep Boys allowed to do these modifications?

Thanks,
Alexis

________________________________
From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> on behalf of ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 8:29:48 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Trailer brake disconnect?

Alexis,

Do you want to disconnect your surge brakes because the flexible brake hose isn’t long enough to accommodate the tongue extension?  Or, are you experiencing surge brake lock-up when you try to back down the launch ramp?  If the hose isn’t long enough; then, you should get it replaced with a longer hose.  If your surge brakes are locking up; then, take a look at the surge brake master cylinder.  There will be a 2 position switch that will enable you to disable the trailer‘s surge brakes while backing down the ramp.  Just remember to reengage the surge brakes before you head off down the road.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 5, 2020, at 6:44 PM, Alexis Seigneurin <alexis.seigneurin at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi there,
>
> I am getting ready to launch my boat and was thinking of using a ramp in Yorktown, VA. I have never used the tongue extension on my trailer and was wondering about to disconnect the surge brakes. Is what I am showing in the attached picture the disconnect?
>
> Thanks,
> Alexis
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