I have read everything I need to do for installing disk brakes on my trailer (championtrailers.com). I even had the brake flanges welded on last year. My problem is the removeable tongue and the brake line.

A quick disconnect may be the way to go on the brake line but I would like to keep air out of the system?

My coupler/tongue and winch all pull out and I set that aside to fit my rig in the garage. A fold-over tongue will not provide enough clearance. Right now all I have to do is pull 2 pins, unplug my trailer harness and slide the tongue out.

Anybody have experience with flexible brake lines for something like this? I could just unbolt the coupler from the square trailer tubing each time I park it but would prefer not to have to do that all of the time.

Funny you should ask. One of my winter projects was replacing the actuator and running a new flex line thru the frame back to the "T" on the axle. I found the manufacturer of the flex lines (down in Florida), they'll make any length, and different end fittings. I'm still not sure how you'll be able to coil the line while you slide the tongue in and out (mines a swing), but we'll work that out.
HRG

Have you thought about going with electric brakes? You could just have a plug where the tounge breaks down, simple. The electric brakes made for boat trailers aren't what they used to be. The new electric brakes have the components encased in resin and from what I understand is a very nice, reliable setup.

Not sure I'd want to be disconnecting a hydraulic line everytime the boat needed to be put away, you'd be bleeding the lines all the time. Not sure they make a hydraulic line that coils, at least not one with enough burst pressure, if they do...that would work.

BIRDDOG

With out seeing a picture, I've got to say something is wrong. I've got a swing tongue on my trailer, and when I pull the pin, it swings ALL the way to line up along side the trailer. Thus, the trailer is as short as it can be.If you can please post a couple of pics showing the trailer with the tongue and without the tongue.

I have the removable tounge on my trailer with the quick connect brake lines. I have not noticed any problems other than a little brake fluid drips on the floor after disconnecting the lines. The boat is going on eight years now.

Check this out.

http://www.championtrailers.com/QUICKDISCONNECT.htm

I would use the quick connect.

they are designed not to let air in, if they do its a very very small amount.

I would not worry about it or attempt to change your whole brake system to something else.

If you have to bleed them every few years thats no big deal.

My Ranger Trail has a removable tounge with a quick disconnect. No problems here.

-Eli

The quick disconnects, are they the same as a hydraulic coupler, something I could pick up at tractor supply?

My Shorelander has a flexible rubber hose line that works just fine, no need to disconnect anything.

Bill Krejca