Ramlin Trailer/Surge Breaks

[Sojourn]

Saturday night I go to pull out the boat out of the water and I find that I can not pull the trailer forward without dragging the tires. The Surge Brake had locked up. I could backup and the wheels would spin freely but, I would make it about 3 to 4 feet foward and the wheels would lock again. I finally just backed up all the way to the water just to get the boat out of the river at dark. When I had the boat on the trailer, I assume the additional weight of the 97 Super Sport caused enough drag to release the surge brake. Has anyone experienced this before and if so what fix have you come across?

[Flux]

RE: Ramlin Trailer/Surge Breaks

You may have tripped the brake lockout which will lock the actuator into place. Check your safety cable hook and see if it looks alright. There should also be a manual release on the actuator, a small lever or such. Call Ramlin, they might be able to help. I am only familiar with the UFP actuators, which is a small lever on the bottom near the ball coupler, you just push it up to release it.

[jhiestand]

RE: Ramlin Trailer/Surge Breaks

Hey Soujourn. I had nearly the exact same thing happen a couple of weeks ago. Finally got mine to release by backing off the set screw in the hub. After doing some troubleshooting, it appears the piston (caliper?) in that brake had failed and wasn't retracting all the way. I replaced it and everything seems fine now.

[nms1991]

RE: Ramlin Trailer/Surge Breaks

More than likly you will have to replace the wheel cylinders, classic signs of the wheel cylinders that are rusting up.

[Miljack]

Where can one order the brake parts for Ramlin trailers? I don't want to have to special order anything from our dealer!

[pj]

I ordered a new surge brake kit from The Trailer Parts Depot. Everything bolted right up and I'm down the road.

[jhiestand]

Drum brake parts aren't specific to Ram-Lin so you should be able to get parts online or at a store that carries trailer parts. I picked up my replacement drum caliper for ~$24 at a local trailer supply.

[Sojourn]

Ramlin Trailer/Surge Breaks

Thanks to everyone for the replys, it has not happened again. The season is coming to an end so I will get it checked out then. Please keep the ideas coming!!