Another trailer question

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Simplicity

New member
On our recent shake down cruise beside the bunkboard carpeting failing, the brakes locked up in reverse when we backed into a large shallow pot hole at the old ramp.It backs up fine on level ground so can I assume it isn't the reverse lockout solenoid malfunctioning?Any suggestions? It's a magictilt trailer. Thanks. Alan
 
It could still be the solonoid. On a flat surface you may not have enough push back to activate the brakes.

Have someone stand by the trailer hitch and listen as you put the tow vehicle into reverse. they should hear the solonoid engage. If not, there may be a problem there.

This applies to disk brakes, by the way.
 
Mine did the same thing until I figured out the backup light wire wasn’t properly wired; it’s the backup light on the tow vehicle that overrides the brake solenoid on the trailer.
If the wiring is correct you can stomp on your brakes, throw it in reverse, and backup a hill.
Most tow vehicles are configured for pulling trailers with electric brakes, when plugged into a boat with surge brakes everything seems to work fine until you try and backup a hill.
Tell you figure things out, if your trailer in like mine, you should have a key that came with your trailer to lock out the solenoid when its fully extended, fits on either side of the tongue in the groove behind the pin; only use when backing up!

Hope this helps,
 
Some trailers do not have the "Lock out" hole behind the coupler. If this is the case, then you can lock the coupler (keep it from riding back) by putting a set of "Chain Vise grips" around the tongue, just in back of the coupler.
 
Sounds like you have typically worn brakes to me and the solenoid is not working [very common, usually wiring on the vehicle] Boat backs up till you really push against the coupler [like a panic stop or pothole] ,then brakes start working . Backing up slowly "fools" them .There isnt enough pressure to notice with gentle backing.Like Matt said ,listen for the "click" when shifting into reverse. If it clicks ,it should be locking brake fluid from going to the calipers . If no click its the solenoid or vehicle wiring .A D.C.V.meter on the blue solenoid wire should tell the story. Its the "5th pin" in the flat 5 connector.
Marc
 
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