Question

Boat Trailering Guys,

Hello, I have been a boat us memeber since 1994, and have seen this question answered may times. Unfortunately, I have also been alive over 50 years, and don't remember stuff that I'm not concerened with at the time I read it!. Soo, now that I've bought a new 19'6" Glastron gxl205 with dual axle trailer and surge brakes (both different from my single axle traiers that came with both prior boats) I immediately noticed a jerk when accelerating from a stop. I had similar experiences with my outher boats but not to this degree. (Or I'm older and it's more annoying....) Anyway, I know that if this jerk is in the reciever/hitch, there is a product (I think teflon inserts) to take up the slop in the hitch and/or hitch pin. Do you know where I can get it? The other concern is that the slop is in the surge brake (I picture stopping at a light, the surge brake mechanisn is pushed back, the light turns green, I go and the jerk I feel is the surge brake unit being pulled forward) If this is the case, is there a fix? This one really drives my wife to anxiety attacks as she pictures the back end of the truck or the front of the boat being torn free in some cartoon type scenario. (She's wrong, isn't she??) Thanks for your help, and I enjoy your magazines as well as the BOATUS committment to the boating community! Sincerely. Bob Brabham (and one freaked out spouse!)

Robert

Answered on: 4/2008

If it is the hitch you can obtain the cushion hitched pin through your local U-Haul dealer. They retail for around $20. You may want to get one regardless. If it is the brake actuator, and in your case it sounds like it may be the culprit, your first step should be to bleed the system. If you are unfamiliar with the trailers history and maintenance you may want to run through the entire system: Check the brakes for wear, check the brake lines and fittings for leaks, change and bleed the brake fluid, check the actuator for leaks around the master cyclinder plunger and replace the brake fluid reservoir cap. And finally, your wife is never wrong... Haven't you learned that by now.

Mike