Trailer Brakes

[fijidaniel]

So I bought my 2000 VLX in 2008. I have not messed with the trailer since I bought it and planned on doing some maintenance items this year (the seller told me all was just serviced, so I put all my attention into working on the boat.) Well, I pulled the resvoir cap off the master cylinder and it was bone dry with some gunk in the bottom. Long story short, I plan on replacing the master cylinder, filling with new fluid and bleeding the brakes. Then see how the brake react to see if I need to replace the drums, hubs and backing plates as well. I would like to tow to the lake between now and fixing the system. It is about a 12 mile trip that I have been driving for 2 years. Should I keep doing this until I get the parts in the mail and find time to work on them or is it best to just wait until I can fix them? If I do tow, should I lock the brakes out from engaging?

[JDubya]

If your tow vehicle has adaquet brakes I would drive it as is until you can r/r the brakes.

Should not hurt anything, esp since you have such a short drive.

[rodman]

what are you towing with? If your vehicle has the braking power you will be fine. SUV, TRUCK, ECT.

First you have a leak somewhere in your system, brake fluid does not evaporate. You need to find the leak first. Make sure that there is a gasket or O ring under the filler nut. (That seal causes most of the problems in masters)

Here is a tip. instead of changing out your master cylinder. Get denatured rubbing alcohol and fill that master cylinder. Clean and inspect your wheel cylinders. If you have no tools to bleed the system, break the bleeders loose and let them gravity bleed. You can do this by jacking the front of the boat up as high as you can. Keep running the alcohol till it comes clear.

This works most of the time. If it does not work another hint. Go to an trailer manufacture and have him match your backing plates up (they are pretty much standard ford brakes). They also sell what they call loaded backing kits and will give you the complete backing plates with brakes and hardware. As far as the drums they have them to a lot cheaper.

I also use dot 5 brake fluid (Silicone)it does not attract water, and keeps the brake system working longer.

E-Bay has a huge section of brake parts.

[fijidaniel]

Thanks for the responses! Yes, I'm pulling with a Chevy Z-71 half ton.

[Asmodeus2112]

fijidaniel, what happened with your trailer brakes? I'm just now starting to deal with the same problem and any insight would be greatly appreciated.