How to Back Up a Trailer With Surge Brakes

Surge brakes use momentum to apply the brakes on a trailer. The gooseneck on the front of the trailer is split into two parts. The end with the hitch is separate from the trailer-neck extension. It can slide in and out of the trailer neck. The trailer has a brake master cylinder housed in the neck, and a push rod extending out to the sliding-forward section with the hitch. When the towing vehicle applies the brakes, the momentum of the trailer pushes against the towing vehicle, pushing the hitch section inward toward the trailer. This in turn pushes the rod into the master cylinder applying the trailer brakes. When the towing vehicle starts out again, the hitch section is once again extended, bringing with it the rod from the master cylinder, releasing the trailer brakes.
To back up a trailer with surge brakes, follow a few key steps.

Things You'll Need

• Round steel rod of the correct diameter to be inserted into the hole in the neck of the trailer.

Instructions

1. Pull the vehicle forward slightly and put the transmission in park.

2. Insert the steel rod into the hole in the trailer neck (located in the middle of the trailer neck). This prevents the hitch end of the neck from collapsing into the trailer neck when the vehicle backs up. Now, the trailer can be backed up with the brakes released on the trailer. If the vehicle were to be backed up without the rod, it would immediately apply the trailer brakes.

3. Remove the steel rod prior to moving forward or the brakes will not function on the trailer. Store the steel rod in a convenient place, because it will be used often. A magnetic box on the trailer could be appropriate for this purpose.