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For
all the pluses, drum brakes are difficult to clean (i.e. washing out
debris and salt water, although add-on flush kits are available), don't
function when backing up, and need periodic manual adjustment to
maintain optimum performance.
Disc Brakes
Unlike
drum brakes, which are enclosed within the drum, disc brakes aren't
hidden from view, consisting of a thick metal disc (rotor) and a
hydraulically operated caliper. The caliper is a clever clamping device
that has a piston on one side of the "clamp" and an articulated
mechanism on the other side of the "clamp". Hydraulic pressure forces
the caliper assembly to squeeze the brake pads on both sides of the
rotor.
Disc
brakes require less maintenance, are self-adjusting, easy to inspect
and clean without disassembly, and deliver greater stopping power than
drum brakes. And disc brakes work fine when you're backing up the
trailer ¿ more on that in a moment.
Like
drum brakes, disc brake systems have been around for decades, usually
on high-end vehicles, but in recent years, the price of disc brakes has
come down. Now disc brakes are on all types of boat trailers.
Because
disc brakes operate in forward and reverse, backing a disc brake
trailer up an incline (such as a driveway) can be an exercise in
frustration - if you don't have a reverse lock out solenoid.
Here's
how it works: when you put the tow vehicle's shifter in reverse, the
backup lights send power to a small solenoid on the boat trailer. When
energized, the solenoid closes a valve in the trailer brake system,
preventing brake fluid from flowing to the brakes.
Once
you move the shifter from reverse, the backup lights go off, the
trailer brake solenoid is deactivated and the trailer brakes return to
their dependable, forward function mode.
You
can also manually disable the trailer brakes with a lockout pin, if you
plan to be moving the trailer around the yard frequently. Just make
sure to remove the lockout pin before towing.
Actuator/Hydraulic Surge Coupler
The "hitch" part of a boat trailer equipped with brakes is called an actuator or generically, a hydraulic surge coupler.
An
actuator functions by the kinetic energy of the trailer moving towards
the tow vehicle. When you press down on the brake pedal, the trailer
pushes against the tow vehicle, causing the actuator to telescope
together and apply force to its internal master cylinder, pressurizing
the hydraulic fluid in the brake lines, thus activating the trailer
brakes.
Due
to the differences in the operating mechanisms of drum and disc brakes,
you must use an actuator specifically designed for the trailer brake
system you're using (drum or disc).
Stopping Point
We've covered the highlights of typical boat trailer brake systems, but obviously, there is a lot more material to cover.
Read
your boat trailer owner's manual for information specific to your
trailer. Or, jump on the web and check out the various boat trailer
manufacturers' sites to further your brake knowledge inventory.
Care and Maintenance
Your trailer brakes can't help you if they do not function properly. Trailer brakes require more upkeep than those on your tow vehicle. Think about it, you do not submerge your trailer brakes in saltwater and we all know what the effects of saltwater are on marine components. We advise our customers to check their internal brake components on an annual basis. Remove your wheels and hubs and inspect all internal components for wear, rust or broken parts. Brake fluid levels should be checked monthly and a low reservoir level may be an early sign of leakage.
If you have the drum brakes you may consider a switch to disc brakes which require less maintenance, especially in a coastal environment. Our service department can handle your trailer brakes needs and our parts department can help you with replacement parts. There is nothing worse than trying to stop at a red light and feeling helpless as the boat and trailer push you through the intersection. Trailer brakes are an important piece of the boating/ puzzle and please do not forget their importance to your family's safety.
The majority of this article came from Yamaha Outboard.
Image Credits
Ranger® Boats
Tie Down Engineering, Inc. ®
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