Trailer Brakes Surging

[rwellesley]

I need some help, my buddy is towing an SOB with a 2000 Ford F250 diesel. Sometimes but not everytime when he applies the brake they start surging. Sometimes this is violent enought the brake pedal starts jumping. Is this the brake controller, traler brakes or could it be his ASB system? Any thoughts would be appreciated. We are stationary for a few days and I have a spare controller I may put on to see if they helps.

[H. John Kohl]

If it is the brake peddle on his truck I would look at the ABS. Good luck.

[ehmcfarl]

I agree with Johns reply above regarding a possible ABS problem.

[MAMalody]

You might look for the rotors being "our of round" or no longer flat.

[Art-n-Marge]

Whatever it is I would get the truck to the brake shop and figure it out.

- out of round disk brakes, or
- out of round drum brakes
- overloaded rear axle (watch out for trailer rating).
- ABS is acting up.
- Braking too hard, too often, overheating the brakes. I have heard from others overheated brakes can cause pulsating (this was way back before ABS was prevalent)
- Too much sag in the rear from the weight affecting brakes?
- The brake controller setting is incorrect for the load causing the TV to do all the work - that will heat things up.
- Defective brake controller
- Could it be the trailer acting up and causing the TV to have problems.

and the possibilities go on and on.

[deadeyenevermisses]

And I thought it was just me? I've experienced the "jumping brake pedal" but only when descending very, very steep hills and under maximum braking. My suspicion is that it's the truck and not the RV nor the controller. I guess, now that I've shucked my SOB toy hauler and acquired a "real" 5ver, I'll find out if it's the RV.

[rwellesley]

As I noted in the original post this truck belongs to a friend. Apparently this problem was a result of his shocks being worn. Since having them replaced he hasn't had the surging problem. Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

[Art-n-Marge]

oops, forgot about that possibility, but that's another one for the debug list.