Dorsey Trailer master Cylinder

[Nemo]

I have a 1996 Dorsey trailer with the Atwood surge master cylinder. Mine is beyond repair and doing a quick search online, I discovered that they have been discontinued. Has anyone found a replacement for these? I can’t be the first person to have run into this problem. Thanks in advance for the help.

[bruceb58]

How is the actuator attached, if its just bolted on, it's really easy. I have replaced several.

[Nemo]

Unfortunately, it’s welded on

[bruceb58]

My suggestion...have a welding shop remove the existing coupler and weld in a 3" x 4" tube of the appropriate thickness and buy a bolt on coupler. How big of a coupler depends on the weight of your boat.

OR....Switch to electric over hydraulic brakes, like I have, and put a bolt through the section that pivots to keep it from moving. That might be the cheapest. Just have to have a brake controller in your tow vehicle.

[Nemo]

Is there an electric over hydraulic system that you recommend?

[bruceb58]

Is there an electric over hydraulic system that you recommend?

So I have the Titan Brake Rite. You can see it on this page.

https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=ele ... e_Actuator

I am sure there are others that are also very good.

You have to make sure you buy one for drum or disc depending on what you have...yes...makes a difference.

I have had one since around 2004 on my old trailer and I just moved it to my new Cobalt trailer when I sold my old boat. One thing I found is that when I started towing with my 2018 F-150, the wire in the 7 pin connector was too small to supply enough current(30A or so) for the controller to work properly so Installed a heavier wire that runs to my truck battery and a seperate cable and connector.

In addition, you will need to install a breakaway battery. So...not a slam dunk change since there are a few parts you will need. However, to me, it's the best way to go anyway, and with having a welded in Atwood, I would go with an EOH.

One disclaimer....you really want to change brake fluid every two to three years with any EOH. I do the same with vehicles anyway. It's especially important because these have pumps that don't do well if there is moisture in your brake fluid. I have heard of multiple failures of EOH units form old brake fluid that has had moisture in it.


If you have drum brakes and were ever thinking about going disc, now is the time to make that decision as well if you are going EOH.

Also be aware that certain vehicle brake controllers are not compatible with EOH without adding some sort of load/adapter on the blue wire from the vehicle brake controller as they are expecting to see magnets. Pretty easy to solve though

Here is mine. I have it mounted to an aluminum plate and then bolts to mount that with a plate below to the trailer. I also use a 7 pin connector cable with a junction box...highly reccomended.








Junction box



small solar panel to trickle charge breakaway battery

[Nemo]

Wow. Now that’s an answer. Thanks very much for taking the time and you’ve given me a lot to consider here. I can definitely make an I formed decision now.

[rabiddawg]

I have a Dexter Axle model eh1600.

First eoh I’ve ever had. It works fine for me.

In another thread, touched on the wire issue with bruceb58;I tow with my 19 f150. Perhaps mine doesn’t pull as many amps

[bruceb58]

I have a Dexter Axle model eh1600.

First eoh I’ve ever had. It works fine for me.

In another thread, touched on the wire issue with bruceb58;I tow with my 19 f150. Perhaps mine doesn’t pull as many amps

Yeah...according to your manual, your unit needs 30A. Not sure how that can get supplied reliably. My 99 Silverado was fine. The 2018 F-150...not so much. Yours probably still works ok with the voltage drop. I saw the voltage drop to 9V or so. Your manual says minimum 12 AWG with 10AWG recommended. I think my Silverado had 10 AWG. F-150 has 16 or 18AWG.


https://www.dexteraxle.com/docs/default ... 1478e448_2

Interesting that both yours and my Brakerite are from the same company now. You would think they would just keep one of them. I like the fact yours has mounting flanges on it. Mine takes a little more work to mount it.