Ok so I have a general question about boat trailer brakes. I have noticed the last two times I have pulled my boat that my truck and trailer will "serge" forward and back when driving down the road. At first I thought it was due to hitting bumps but today I noticed that it would happen even when I was just going down the street without hitting any bumps and with the trailer having a forward pull going on. So it wasn't a case of the trailer going forward and engaging the brakes. It feels like the brakes are trying to engage and disengage on their own. Does that mean that I need new pads, need to bleed the system, check the front part of trailer where the brake system is at and didn't see anything out of place? Any thoughts about how to fix or where to take to get fixed would be great.

2006 Skeeter duel axel trailer. Never had any work done to brakes but only take it out a couple times a year.

Thanks in advance.

could be the shock absorber needs replaced, wouldn't hurt to bleed the brakes to see if it helps....

I'd check the brake fluid first then the actuator on the trailer tongue. On a boat that old it may need to be replaced. I had a 2001 Champion and had to rebuild the actuator 2 times then replace it.

Thanks for the info. I will look at the brake fluid to make sure it is full. I am guessing it is not and that they need to be bleed. I did not even know that it had fluid in them until today after advise and I started looking into it. Looks like I can do the bleeding myself. Thanks again for the info. I will let everyone know if it helps.

You did not say if the brakes were drum or disc ?I would also jack up the trailer and shake ,tug ,pull and spin the wheels listening for noise that could be something loose that maybe dragging or binding then releasing giving you the "surge"

If your brakes are drum-type and you fish in brackish water your pads might be corroded out. Might be good to pull off the wheels and check. When I checked mine they were essentially gone! I removed all the parts down to the backing plate, cleaned everything up, and put the wheels back on! I drive conservatively and truck stops the boat fine.