New M416A1 have a break system question

[axlesandantennas]

Hey y’all.

Picked up a really good condition M416 yesterday. Some rust scale but no flakes or holes. Super solid.

So I have a question about the way the breaks operate. Parking break is a no brainer but the hydrolic system is confusing me. There is a small chain that is supposed to hit the breakers in case there is a run away. Is something supposed to work the breaks if I do something?

I’ve looked around on line and cannot figure this out. Thanks dudes!

 

[axlesandantennas]

That trailer uses a basic surgebrake it works automatically as the car slows, trailer presses into the car. That action presses against & actuates its brake master cylinder.
That small chain connects to your car. Works like any other break away system. In the event main coupler comes unhitched, that chain gets pulled what actuates master cylinder.
Something to be aware of, that lever the chain is connected to is supposed to be a ratcheting mechanism. When its pulled, a ratchet pawl needs to be released to reset the lever. Sometimes they get pulled & never reset only to ruin the brakes after a few miles....
Then just as often, that ratchet pawl is broken off. Its a cheezy design, simple flat steel spring affixed by two rivets.

Further, you may notice a 3/8” hole what passes thru both sides of surgebrake assembly. Thats where a pin may be inserted to block the brakes from working. Its handy when reversing uphill or when you are tired of the constant fiddly work of maintaining the system.

Ahh ok. That makes sense now. Here’s another question then: is the brake system necessary? I have owned a couple of standard trailers and never had any road drama with them. I get why the military would design a system like this but it does sound fiddly. Is it possible to remove that whole system located around the lundite ring? Like, attach the ring directly to the frame? Is the system already in place for that or does it need to be fabbed? Thanks again for the answers!

 

[Flyfishjeep]

I have owned a few M416 and M100's over the years. I have never seen one with surge brakes as these trailers were designed for only 500 lbs. The larger M101 and up did have surge brakes but were also rated for much heavier loads. I have a feeling someone did a mode to that trailer and added a surge brake from another military trailer as the mounting point for most of these trailer surge brakes and landing legs were all designed to bolt in. If someone did this type of conversion it sure was a lot of work for such a small payload. Here in California they don't even require trailer brakes until overall weight exceeds 1,500 lbs. The parking brake has always been included on all military trailers and is awesome for keeping the trailer in one place without chocks. The parking brake is a very simple set up and there are lots of available used replacement parts if needed and you hunt around.

 

[axlesandantennas]

It’s definitely an A1. I downloaded the TM for it and it’s stock like that. This weekend I’ll crawl around it and see just how involved this set up is. I got a feeling I’m just going to remove the brake parts and let it free wheel should lose a few pounds anyway. Thanks for the feed back guys.

 

[axlesandantennas]

At least keep its parkingbrake functional. Thats a priceless feature wish all trailers used it.

I assume i can remove the hydro lines and such for the surge brake without effecting the function of the drum brakes? If so, that would be really nice. Although out of habit I would still use rubber chalks.