Disengaging surge brakes ranger trailer

[Fishingaddiction]

I had a problem with my trailer brakes last night and I had to park it where it happened. It is a single axle ranger trailer. Part of the brakes I think the boot broke off and got lodged in my tire hub. It locked up my tire and it started loosing air so I had to replace it not to mention the damage from it being locked up. I am wondering if there is a way I can disengage my surge brakes so I can tow it home since I only have one side of my brakes working? Once I get it home I can then try to fix the problem.

[Bill Krejca]

I had a similar misadventure with my Shorelander. One of the bolts came off, causing the brake to spin around the other bolt when the brakes were applied. It seized up. I had to unscrew the bolt and remove the brake. The brake line ripped out of the brake when it spun, rendering the brakes useless.

A lock washer was not put on the bolt that came off, due to a weld that was not spot-faced at the factory. I replaced the brake, and used Loctite and silicone to keep the new bolt in place.

(You'll need a special right angle hex wrench, available at an auto parte store to remove the brake.)

Good luck,

Bill Krejca

[went522]

You can lock out the actuator so it doesn't slide and engage the brakes. There should be a hole on top right behind the coupler, at least that's where mine is(05). You can use the attached locking pin in a emergency....but you really need that to lock the coupler during travel. Buy a second pin, lock out the actuator and you should be good to go until you can get it fixed.

BIRDDOG

[ffishman]

Like pointed out, there should be a spot to put a lock out pin in to stop the braking action. At the worst, just disconnect the brake line tubing and drain the fluid into a container. After the problem is resolved its a simple problem to refil and bleed the system.