I just brought a new boat trailer home, and when backing UP the driveway, the surge brakes prevent me from backing at all. Supposidely you put that little thingy in the hitch, but there is nothing to keep it in. I had to wrap some tape around it, but that would seem to defeat the purpose of the trailer brakes. Any suggestions?

realter wrote:I just brought a new boat trailer home, and when backing UP the driveway, the surge brakes prevent me from backing at all. Supposidely you put that little thingy in the hitch, but there is nothing to keep it in. I had to wrap some tape around it, but that would seem to defeat the purpose of the trailer brakes. Any suggestions?Why do you need trailer brakes when backing up? :h I would just put the lockout pin in when backing up.

What holds the lockout pin in? Are you saying always carry a roll of tape?

It is a royal PIA. I have the same type of trailer that uses a 5-pin connector. If your TV is not wired with a 5-pin connection, you must insert that metal thingy in the slot to be able to back up without having the brakes lock up. I use duct tape to hold it in place.If your TV has a 7-pin connection, you can buy an adapter and you won't have to worry about locking up your brakes when backing up.

What do you mean "there is nothing to keep it in"???You put the pin in when backing up. Take it out when your are going forward.The pin should hold itself in when you put it in??What you are experiencing is the 'surge brake' type of system and the hitch slides forward slightly when you brake and that applies the trailer brakes.Putting the pin in keeps it from sliding forward, so the trailer brakes do not apply.You don't keep the pin all the time... Just when backing up.Mitch

MitchF150 wrote:What do you mean "there is nothing to keep it in"???You put the pin in when backing up. Take it out when your are going forward.The pin should hold itself in when you put it in??What you are experiencing is the 'surge brake' type of system and the hitch slides forward slightly when you brake and that applies the trailer brakes.Putting the pin in keeps it from sliding forward, so the trailer brakes do not apply.You don't keep the pin all the time... Just when backing up.MitchAgree 100%, the brakes are doing exactly what they are designed to do. By going up the driveway you are exerting force on the trailer tongue thereby putting on the brakes. The pin installed when backing keeps that from happening. The same as when you are going down the road and put your brakes on. The TV stops but the trailer wants to keep going exerting force on the trailer tongue thereby putting on the brakes. Just remember to remove the pin when going forward or they will not work. JMO

Boat trailer brakes locking up. | Good Sam Community

mike740ski
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
gemsworld wrote:
With a 7-pin connection all that is needed is the following adapter.

7 pin gets you reverse brake lockout. The trailer, if supports this a hould have come with the 7 pin already I would have thought. So does the trailer cable have a 7 to 4 or 5 flat adapter right now?

I have the surge brake with 7 pin connector, but solenoid has failed. So need to keep lockout pin handy. It's saved me bieing tucked into a corner. Use 18" of 1/2" Velcro with a slit at about 1/2 along the length. Inset the lockout pin into slit and then wraparound the trailer tongue when needed.
timdan94
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
realter wrote:
timdan94 wrote:
if you have the 5 flat on the trailer this is what you can use to make it work. you splice the blue wire into your reverse lights so it sends power to the lockout solenoid when backing. Where are you located? I have two of them in my garage taking up space.

http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-Plug-In-Simple-47515-Adapter/dp/B000CMHVGM/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1396400009&sr=8-19&keywords=5+way+flat+trailer+connector

Nebraska, but I'm not at all handy. I could come to PA, you could help me! I need an excuse. My daughter got the most lovable Cav-a-poo in PA. I could come out and adopt a step-sister!! All I'd have to do is convince my wife, lol.

lol it only takes about 5 minutes to put in with a scotchlock.
realter
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
timdan94 wrote:
if you have the 5 flat on the trailer this is what you can use to make it work. you splice the blue wire into your reverse lights so it sends power to the lockout solenoid when backing. Where are you located? I have two of them in my garage taking up space.

http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-Plug-In-Simple-47515-Adapter/dp/B000CMHVGM/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1396400009&sr=8-19&keywords=5+way+flat+trailer+connector

Nebraska, but I'm not at all handy. I could come to PA, you could help me! I need an excuse. My daughter got the most lovable Cav-a-poo in PA. I could come out and adopt a step-sister!! All I'd have to do is convince my wife, lol.
timdan94
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
if you have the 5 flat on the trailer this is what you can use to make it work. you splice the blue wire into your reverse lights so it sends power to the lockout solenoid when backing. Where are you located? I have two of them in my garage taking up space.

http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-Plug-In-Simple-47515-Adapter/dp/B000CMHVGM/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1396400009&sr=8-19&keywords=5+way+flat+trailer+connector
Lowsuv
Explorer
Apr 01, 2014
If your shorelander trailer pigtail has a 5 pin connector :
You need to buy the adapter that fits into the 7 pin receptacle on your pickup / jeep .
The fifth wire is hooked to your backup lights .
When # 5 is hot it releases the brakes on your shorelander .
If you only have a 4 pin pigtail on your shorelander you will need to devise a method to install a pin into your " Surge Brake Coupler " that will keep the surge brake from being activated by pushing on it from the trailer ball on your tow rig .
Only the newer trailers have the 5 pin pigtail .
love2tow
Explorer
Apr 01, 2014
I had the same issue with my pontoon trailer. I took it in and had the 4 flat replaced with a 7 pin and had a solenoid put on that unlocked the breaks when I put the truck in reverse.
However, I'm not sure how that would work if you didn't have the 7 pin on the Tow Vehicle.
DavisK
Explorer
Mar 31, 2014
MitchF150 wrote:
Missed the part about the OP having a Jeep Wrangler... Probably no round 7 pin on that.. :)

Flat 4 at best would be my guess... Gonna have to wire that up if the surge brake is setup for that function.

Mitch

You're probably correct. Also, if the boat trailer has surge brakes, it probably has a 4-pin connector too.
realter
Explorer
Mar 31, 2014
It's a Shorlandr trailer. I googled the subject, and found a link to a small red magnet that stays in by itself for $13 somebody is selling on Ebay. Looks like they have sold 100's. That seems to be a good solution, I'm not much of a duct tape person. Thanks for all the solutions.
BTPO1
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
KD4UPL wrote:
My trailer has the electric solenoid to lock out the brakes in reverse. I can't imagine not having it. Getting in and out of the vehicle to install and remove the locking pin every time I need to back up would be a royal pain.
Have your vehicle set up with a 7 pin connector. Have your trailer set up with a solenoid. Then it will be happy boating.

I only need to install the pin if backing uphill. Backing on level or going downhill is not affected. I don't mind getting out and doing it because it gives me the chance to look behind me and make sure everything is clear. JMO
KD4UPL
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
My trailer has the electric solenoid to lock out the brakes in reverse. I can't imagine not having it. Getting in and out of the vehicle to install and remove the locking pin every time I need to back up would be a royal pain.
Have your vehicle set up with a 7 pin connector. Have your trailer set up with a solenoid. Then it will be happy boating.

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