Need quick help on winterizing my new purchase.

There was mention of a reverse lockout for the Titan coupler.
To get a trailer into my backyard where my garage is I need to back the trailer through a 90 degree turn that has an uphill grade. Surge brake connectors like this titan or the atwood apply full brakes when I try to put a trailer away. Even with 4wd and large tires in low range this is a hard maneuver and impossible if those brakes apply and are fighting me.
On both my Atwood on the boat and my Titan on the car trailer I measured and drilled a hole right behind the slider in the titan and behind the swivel in the atwood.   The hole goes all the way through both sides but did not touch any of the parts inside.
( The Atwood has the sliding lockout built into it but the dang thing would not hold and self released trying to put the boat into my yard, so I drilled it and use my bolt lock. )
In each case I can slide a 7" bolt through the hole and lock out the brakes. It has worked for me for over 20 years.   A simple electric line block would be easier but the bolt has worked well for me and allows backing up the trailers uphill and around the 90 degree turn.

Here is how to manually work the master cylinder with a screwdriver when you finally get a chance. If you have a strong enough jack lift one wheel up have someone spin it and depress the master cylinder. That will at least give you an idea whats going on.

MrMcD wrote: Disc brakes are a nice upgrade, I wish I had them. It does sound like they are not working but an inspection will let you know. Not hard to fix and not too expensive either.

Thanks!!!!

Disc brakes are a nice upgrade, I wish I had them. It does sound like they are not working but an inspection will let you know. Not hard to fix and not too expensive either.

Gary S wrote: Chris - I have the same setup on my Shamrocks trailer pretty much the old standard. Without a reverse lockout I’m guessing you have drum brakes on it. Probably needs some attention. Once the boats off you could jack the trailer up and with a helper at least see if they are working. You can place a big screwdriver in the front of that master cylinder and push back on that rod that has the two nuts on it - that is the master cylinders push rod. There are rollers under that tin cover as well that could need lubricant. They won’t work as nice as the new disc brake setups but should do the job.

These are discs. Its pouring snow. Ill check all these tips out. I dont feel the trailer tugging me back and I get into the brakes pretty hard. Thanks alot.

Gary S wrote: Don good to see your still working- with the economy booming I’ll bet there is less competition especially with both daughters in school it has to help the cash flow. Wait til you marry them off . Do they still do the shotgun thing way down south there? Where do your parents live on the weekends when they are not an hour north?

Gary,

Yes, the ladies still love a full figured guy. Those Mary Kay Conventions get real crazy when the ladies are away from home.

My sister does three days each week during the week and I do the weekends. I have a lady that comes in each morning and another one that comes into their home the evenings when we are not there. My dad just spent six days in the hospital and the last seven days at a rehab facility. He will be released next Tuesday, we hope. He (83) and my mother (84) are on that down hill slide. Work is crazy and I travel 13 states with work. Never a dull moment. I put 25 hours on the boat last summer when i normally get 60. This summer is looking bad for boat time.

When i get through this, I will then have the in-laws to deal with. They are younger than my parents. Then it is my turn to put the diaper on.

Donald

That is a typical surge brake, I have the same unit on my car trailer. They work great when they work.
When these are working you hit the brakes in your car or truck and just after that you feel the boat brakes start working and you can ease off your car brakes a little as you manage your stop.
After the stop when you take off you will feel a slight tug as the boat brakes are still applied.
When your tow vehicle starts to move it will release the trailer brake. If you are paying attention you will feel this slight tug as the tow car first starts to move, very slight but you know you just released the trailer brake.
When they are not working you will hear more than feel the surge brake on the trailer apply as you brake but you don't feel the trailer brakes kick in to slow you down.

They work very well normally but take a little maintenance every year to make sure you are good to go.   Check the fluid, I use 100% Dot 5 because it will not remove your trailer paint when it spills. Dot 3,4, and 5.1 will all remove paint at first touch.
To run the Dot 5 your system must be flushed because Dot 5 is not compatible with any of the other brake fluids.
Rust in your trailer brakes, Low fluid or a leaking wheel cylinder can stop these from working.   They also get out of adjustment as the brake pads wear and they do not auto adjust so you need to go under the trailer about once a year and give the brake a quick adjustment.   
I check mine every year before the season to make sure they are working.
I know other guys who have had their boats 10 years and not ever touched the brakes?
In my opinion they have no idea if those brakes work proper or not at this point.

Your boat and truck look great. Should give you years of fun with the family.

75 Tique wrote: Orlando76 wrote: I have a little spot just outside of Eden and property boundary is state line. I serve some prison time at my in-laws in Danville. Todd, Didnt know (or recall?) that you had an NC connection. You are about 2 hours from me, maybe a little less and even closer to Greg. Let us know when you are in the area and looking for a pull.   Heck, I'll even put out the "Balls of Death" for you.

If you’re familiar with Danville, would you honestly claim connection?!

When I boat up there it’s on SML but I try to limit my trips up there to the hunting seasons.

Orlando76 wrote: I have a little spot just outside of Eden and property boundary is state line. I serve some prison time at my in-laws in Danville.

Lol, if you are up there Saturday take a little time and ride over to silver creek road. There’s a Remote control racetrack there. They run nitro OFFROAD buggies there. I go there a lot. It will kill some time away from the in-laws. Lol

63 Skier wrote: Orlando76 wrote: That Tacoma has all the balls needed to pull that boat and stop it. Not to be disagreeable, but if no surge brakes then a Tacoma will stop it, but not exactly promptly. A vehicle like that isn't meant to brake another 4,500 lbs. that is trying to run it over. Short hops, sure no problem, we've all done it. Highway trips and up and down windy roads, not a great idea. Not saying the Tacoma isn't a capable tow vehicle for this purpose, just that the trailer brakes need to be working to be safe.

Its not pushing me through stop signs but its pretty heavy. Ill snap a pic of the brake box on the trailer. Never seen one like it before. I havent had a boat in 20 years either tho.

Now in re-reading I'm not clear if the surge brakes are working, or not. If they are I can't see why stopping has been a problem.

Where are you located that Phillpot is 65 miles away? I’ve been to Phillpot but hadn’t been on it. I’ve heard mixed reviews from one extreme to the other.

That Tacoma has all the balls needed to pull that boat and stop it.

Nice looking boat! Hope your mud season doesn't last too long. I don't know the tow rating of the Tacoma but looks like it is squatting pretty good, and the tongue weight shouldn't be all that much on that boat/trailer. Also sounds like your surge brakes on the trailer aren't working, they would solve the stopping issue and on that truck you might be putting others in danger by not having decent brakes.

Donald80SN wrote: Chris, I live in Denver (Lake Norman), NC, and own a similar boat. I use to fill with RV Antifreeze, but now I do not do it any more. I just try to make sure I remove all of the water from the system that I can. No liquid, nothing to freeze. Fee Free to PM me if you have any questions. I travel with my job (exotic dancer) and I am dealing with elderly parents that live one hour North of me most weekends. However, I can help. I too have two kids in college and a dog in daycare so I feel your pain.    Donald

Awesome man will do. We tested the boat from Stumpy Creek. Ran good, I was impressed. Find me some dry storage for cheap! Im broke now lol. Love to have somewhere to store it down there. My Tacoma pulls it good but stopping and curves are a different story.