Surge brakes and fifth harness wire?

[TravisP32]

Hi, I bought a boat and trailer that has a five pin harness on it. I'm under the impression that you need the fifth wire so when your in reverse it sends signal to the brake to keep them from coming on. Some sort of brake lock out. Now I was told I should unplug my wire harness before launching the boat. I did unplug the harness and never noticed the brakes coming on. Can someone clear this up for me. What is the proper thing to do with this style of plug and trailer light system. Thanks

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: Surge brakes and fifth harness wire?

The fifth wire is usually wired to the reverse lights to power a lockout solenoid on the surge brakes. You probably were backing down the ramp when you unplugged the trailer, right? Surge brakes should not come on when backing down a hill. The lockout is there so if you are backing up on a hill or level ground that the surge brakes do not activate.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Surge brakes and fifth harness wire?

Try backing up a hill with the plug unpluged. if you can do it without the brakes stopping you or at least making a struggle, then the brakes are not working.
But as stated, on flat or down hill you may not even notice the brakes at all.
How does it stop when driving on the road?

 

[TravisP32]

Re: Surge brakes and fifth harness wire?

The brakes are working. It must be that I was going down hill. Cause I tried to back into my garage without the wiring plugs in and it felt hard to move. So. I should still unplug the trailer lights when launching the boat then? Thanks for the help

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: Surge brakes and fifth harness wire?

I am assuming you were backing UP a hill when you were going into the garage with the wires unplugged? If so, yes, the brakes should have engaged, if you try it again with the wires plugged in, the brakes should not engage if the solenoid is operating properly.

As for unplugging the wires when launching, I think the opinion here would be yes. And even though I should, I never do, and I haven't had any problems in the last 12 years, other than a few burned out bulbs, which may not even have been caused by that.

 

[TravisP32]

Re: Surge brakes and fifth harness wire?

Yes I would have been going uphill to my garage. Thanks for all the help. I will just have to change my launching habits and stop before going in the water to unplug my lights. Thanks again