Surge brake actuator replacement

[thomasalva]

I bought an older Cobalt (1989 21') last spring from a marina, and the tandem axle trailer they included was one they had been using at the marina for many years. Since brakes were never needed, I suppose when they started having trouble with the actuator they just either disconnected or welded the moving parts so it's just a basic coupler now.

I would like to replace it, but unfortunately it's welded into the trailer frame in place of the tongue. So, I would need to cut it out and then either weld a new one back in, or preferably replace it with a tongue and bolt on a new actuator.

The actuator looks just like this Atwood 82543 (and I noticed Attwood stamped on the old one, which is also 6K pounds)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0000AX4ZI/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive

and it calls for a 3 inch tongue width. I have a 24 inch piece of 3x5 rectangular tubing (5/16 inch) which I could weld in.

Has anyone done this before? We pulled the boat several times last summer, but I was never comfortable not having brakes pulling this 3600 pound boat (probably 5K or so including the trailer itself).

I suppose I could just cut the old one out and weld a new one back in place, but I wanted to get some opinions first.

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Surge brake actuator replacement

but unfortunately it's welded into the trailer frame in place of the tongue.

Ayuh,... To me, Longer is better...
I'm just having a hard time visualizing it with No tongue....
But,.. Ya if you've got the steel,... Go for it...
Btw,... 5/16" wall is Heavy... most are 1/8"...

 

[thomasalva]

Re: Surge brake actuator replacement

My description probably wasn't very clear. It has a tongue, but it doesn't have the extension piece. Here are a couple of pictures.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Surge brake actuator replacement

Ayuh,... Gotcha,.... I'd still add the length,...
It makes pullin',+ backin' Much easier...
If you don't have garage length issues or whatever...
I took the 4' stick outa the front of my EZ loader,+ bolted in a 10'er...

It looks like you could butt it up to that little cross member,+ stitch it up...
The coupler looks bent anyways,... And, that jack has been around the block quite a few times too...
I'd mount the new jack, Aft of the cross member...

 

[thomasalva]

Re: Surge brake actuator replacement

Good idea running it back to the little cross member. My welding's ok, but the extra rear support would give a little more insurance. I have a couple of pieces of the steel tubing I mentioned, but they are both only about 2 feet long so the trailer will end up being maybe a foot longer overall. I might go ahead and buy a longer piece to gain a little more length.

The jack's a relic, so yeah it would be good to do it at the same time. It's welded on also, but it's not very obvious in the pictures.

The coupler makes me nervous, and that's more of an issue in my mind even than the brakes.

I've put a lot more work into the trailer than the boat over the last year since I bought it (new tires, new bunks and bunk brackets, side rails, fender work, replaced rotted wood platforms, new winch), but at least I should be able to keep the boat off the highway now.

Do you see any problems with an Atwood replacement? The descriptions sound good for them, but I've noticed a couple of other brands also.

Thanks again.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Surge brake actuator replacement

Attwood is as good as any,yes,kind of a strange set up,I would cut it out right back to the crossmember and add a new piece of square stock to add about 3 feet to the tounge length

 

[JimMH]

Re: Surge brake actuator replacement

From my experience the extra length in the tongue will enhance the handling of the trailer in a very positve manner. You will not be sorry you did it.

 

[thomasalva]

Re: Surge brake actuator replacement

I've finally had a chance to get the old actuator cut out and am in the process of fitting the new tongue extension. I'm now needing to order a new actuator, so I thought I'd try to get some recommendations. I had planned to buy an Atwood since that's what it had originally and it has the manual lockout included. But I've seen that the Titan 60 and Tie Down 66 are pretty popular also, and they're a little cheaper. Since the trailer has drum brakes and I don't normally have to worry about backing uphill, I'm not sure the lockout is that big of a deal. And I could always add a solenoid to the Titan if necessary.

As long as the actuator will fit on a 3" tongue, I'm pretty open to suggestions since I'll probably just bolt on the new one and I haven't drilled any holes yet. I would appreciate any input on overall quality or reliability or whatever.

Thanks