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Trailrite coupler knob missing?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/28/2007 : 21:08:59

This morning I borrowed a tool from my neighbor, as I walked past his boat trailer I noticed that he had the same hydraulic actuator I have on my trailer, but his has a knob that mine doesn't. On the right side of the coupler, there is an arc shaped hole cut. On his, there is a knob that fits in the hole where you can move something to go from backing to parking, or something along those lines, I don't remember exactly. I always thought it was an observation hole, not that I was missing a part. The Trailrite site is less than helpful, they don't even have pictures of their products, nor do they have online manuals.

Does anyone know what the knob is used for? Am I damaging my coupler everytime I don't move the knob that I don't have when I should be? When should I be moving the knob?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2007 : 21:16:38

Trailers have different makes of hydraulic acutators, can you post the make and model of yours?

Paul

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2007 : 21:18:07

OK, so it's not made by Trailrite, it's made by [url="http://www.etrailer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=E&Product_Code=84132&Category_Code=ba"]Atwood[/url]
Reading the ad here, I think it's the "Reverse lock out lever" that I'm missing.

The knob I'm talking about shows just about the middle of the picture:

The lower arc with the bolt is there on mine, but the knob in the upper arc is missing.

Their site is better laid out, but doesn't have any manuals either.

Edited by - delliottg on 04/28/2007 21:23:17

C25Guy
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2007 : 01:40:38

The two choices are normal and backing up. When you back up a hydraulic trailer, that puts the same force on the coupling as it does when you're trying to slow down, ie, backwards. That makes the brakes engage, which is counterproductive when trying to move the trailer back. The lockout prevents the brakes from engaging so that you can back up easily. My trailer doesn't have the lockout either.

If you have the lockout, use it for tight maneuvers requiring reverse. If you don't have one, just notice how little the hydraulic trailer brakes actually do anything and keep that in mind on the highway!

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2007 : 09:19:09

Some couplers have a reverse lockout mechanism, some don't... sounds like yours doesn't. Typically it's not a big worry.

>"...notice how little the hydraulic trailer brakes actually do anything..."

The mechanical design of most drum brakes has been cleverly optimized to provide extra braking power going forward. This is obtained by letting the 'leading shoe' rotate the shoe assembly forward as it contacts the drum... which provides a camming action (binding) the leading shoe tightly against the friction surface. The original 'power brakes'.

In reverse, the effect is the opposite. It pulls the leading shoe away from the drum. You have less braking power... way less.

This design feature has been extended in a lot of drum trailer brakes to provide what are called 'free backing' designs. They intentionally provide almost no braking force in reverse.

If you have disc brakes, it's a different story they brake equally in forward and reverse. They must have a reverse lockout mechanism to prevent application when backing. Without one, they will stop the trailer cold in it's tracks and cause all sorts of problems.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2007 : 20:50:21

I agree with ClamBeach's clear explanation in every detail.

Back before street motorcycles came with disk front brakes, they had all leading shoe front drums (Up to four leading shoes!) They tended to be either alarmingly grabby, or not particularly effective. And with the grabby ones, it was almost impossible to compensate for poor traction, such as rain or a dirt road.

The lockout lever you're 'missing' may be a disk brake option. I have four wheel disks on my C-25 trailer, and they will indeed lock it solidly in place when trying to back without the solenoid connected to the backup lights circuit.

-- Leon S.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2007 : 21:35:16

David,
My Atwood surge coupler is exactly like yours. It too has the "missing Knob" (reverse lockout lever) as you have described. It must have been an option because I've seen others with and without. It has not been a big deal for me. The only time I've had any problems is when I once had to back up hill, other than that one time I haven't needed it.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2007 : 23:11:22

Thanks for all the advice and explanations, it sounds like I probably don't need it. I have to back up a curving hill to park my boat next to my house, and other than occasionally getting a bit too close to my eaves, I don't seem to have problems doing so. At least not related to brakes anyway...

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