Replaced Atwood Surge Brake

Installed a new Dexter 6600 lb actuator.   It has several improvements over the old Atwood.  The latch to connect the ball is pretty slick, easy on easy off with a safety pin.  The actuator now slides straight forward and back where the old Atwood was on a swivel.  The new sliders have grease zerks so mainentance is easy and the design should be more reliable.   The reservoir cap is much larger so easy to fill without spilling.   The Dexter also has a hole drilled so you could insert a pin if you want to lock out the brakes to back up a steep hill.   I did not add the reverse lock out feature.

The best part is bleeding the brakes is now super easy because they added a bleeder, or place to apply the hydraulic brake right on top behind the front of the hitch, just take a screwdriver and you can manipulate the hydraulic ram to quickly bleed the brakes.

Since I was switching from Dot 5 to Dot 4, ( even though the Dexter says it works with 3,4 or 5 fluid). I flushed more than a pint through the system and I was done with both wheels bled in 15 minutes working alone.   Test drive towing proved it worked exactly as desired.  Brakes applied smooth and released smoothly each and every application with zero noise or stress.

Very pleased with the new Dexter.  Only negative, it is about 8" longer installed than the old Atwood.   It was just under $300 delivered.

I had to cut the old Atwood off since it was welded in place.   I just cut through the welds did not damage the old housing.   I plan to throw it away.   If someone needs some of the no longer available parts let me know.  They are free if you pay shipping costs.   The shock is not good and the hydraulic master could use a new piston cup seal.