Boat mate trailer and brakes backing up

[jason1973]

I just got my 2019 mondo, and what i noticed is anytime i am backing up the trailer brakes go on unless i am level going straight. But if i turn the wheel or am on a hill the brakes activate.

I used the key to lock them out but is this normal? i am able to back up level going straight. I have the round connector plugged into my truck, the barrel connector and all fuses are good.

[larry_arizona]

If you are plugged in the solenoid should deactivate when your reverse lights power up.

Sounds like your connector is not working or wired properly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sandm]

do you have a solenoid on your trailer? not all trailers come with an electric reverse lockout.

[jason1973]

I don't know. its a brand new 2019 from boatmate. It has the lockout which i used and inserted the key.

[jph3]

You shouldnt have to use the key... I would start with your truck wiring.

[korey]

My new 2018 was doing this when i brought it home last year. I found a loose ground on the solenoid under the tongue of the trailer. It was one little Phillips head screw with a ring terminal on it.

if that's not it, check for 12v between pin 7 and 2 on your truck when in reverse.
https://cdn.ajtnt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/7-Way-RV-Style-Trailer-Plug-Wiring-Diagram-1.png

[MJHSupra]

Good pic/attachment

[Mondo Ken]

No too sure what wiring your trailer has on it, but my 2017 Boatmate trailer came with a 6 pin straight connector that plugs in to a 6 straight to 7 round pin adapter then in the 7 pin receiver on my truck.

I turn on my headlights manually (on auto does not work) to disengage the trailer brakes when backing up.

Different.... but it works...

[korey]

My new 2018 was doing this when i brought it home last year. I found a loose ground on the solenoid under the tongue of the trailer. It was one little Phillips head screw with a ring terminal on it.

if that's not it, check for 12v between pin 7 and 2 on your truck when in reverse.
https://cdn.ajtnt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/7-Way-RV-Style-Trailer-Plug-Wiring-Diagram-1.png

Between pin 7 and ONE. Not 2. I fat fingered that... don't let the pin for "trailer brakes" confuse you. That's for electric brakes like on campers and horse trailers.

[jason1973]

I will check this, thanks for the graphic. My truck is brand new as well and tow many trailers, some with brakes and never has been a problem.

[trayson]

No too sure what wiring your trailer has on it, but my 2017 Boatmate trailer came with a 6 pin straight connector that plugs in to a 6 straight to 7 round pin adapter then in the 7 pin receiver on my truck.

I turn on my headlights manually (on auto does not work) to disengage the trailer brakes when backing up.

Different.... but it works...

LOL. sounds like your running lights of your truck are connected to the reverse circuit of your trailer. That's not cool! that means that whenever your headlights are on, you don't have working trailer brakes!!! Um, sorry I rear ended you and jackknifed my trailer and my boat is sliding down the freeway. I had my headlights on!!!

[Mondo Ken]

LOL. sounds like your running lights of your truck are connected to the reverse circuit of your trailer. That's not cool! that means that whenever your headlights are on, you don't have working trailer brakes!!! Um, sorry I rear ended you and jackknifed my trailer and my boat is sliding down the freeway. I had my headlights on!!!

Sorry... I should have been a little more clear for you..... As explained and demonstrated to me by my dealer, for my surge brake to disengage to allow me to back up without the trailer locking up, I must, in this order, manually turn on my headlights, then put the truck in reverse. By simply putting the truck in reverse OR having the headlights on alone, it will not disengage the brakes.

Again... it doesn't make sense to me, but it is the only way to disengage the trailer brakes other than using the pin.

My apologies also, I have a flat 5 pin, not 6 pin on my trailer.

I hope you feel safer now.

[rdlangston13]

Sorry... I should have been a little more clear for you..... As explained and demonstrated to me by my dealer, for my surge brake to disengage to allow me to back up without the trailer locking up, I must, in this order, manually turn on my headlights, then put the truck in reverse. By simply putting the truck in reverse OR having the headlights on alone, it will not disengage the brakes.

Again... it doesn't make sense to me, but it is the only way to disengage the trailer brakes other than using the pin.

My apologies also, I have a flat 5 pin, not 6 pin on my trailer.

I hope you feel safer now.

I would think something is not wired correctly here. I have never heard of this process being needed before.

[MLA]

Something is not correct, between the trailer, the truck or the dealer. Headlights should have zero to do with energizing the reverse lockout solenoid. 12V from the truck's reverse lights energizes the solenoid when you put the truck in reverse. No other steps needed.

[Mondo Ken]

My previous trailer was simply put my truck in reverse which then disengaged the solenoid and away I went.

When I picked up my boat from the dealer, connected the 5 pin to a 7 pin with an adapter, put the truck in reverse to back down to the ramp to launch the boat for the test run the trailer locked up. My dealer then explained to me the lights before reverse scenario and it worked fine. He never said it could be a wiring problem, just the what had to be done for it to work.

I only trailer my boat twice each year 2 km to put in and take out of my lake and if I forget the headlights prior to reversing.... lock-up. I scratch my head over it too.

[trayson]

Something is not correct, between the trailer, the truck or the dealer. Headlights should have zero to do with energizing the reverse lockout solenoid. 12V from the truck's reverse lights energizes the solenoid when you put the truck in reverse. No other steps needed.

^^^^this.


My previous trailer was simply put my truck in reverse which then disengaged the solenoid and away I went.

When I picked up my boat from the dealer, connected the 5 pin to a 7 pin with an adapter, put the truck in reverse to back down to the ramp to launch the boat for the test run the trailer locked up. My dealer then explained to me the lights before reverse scenario and it worked fine. He never said it could be a wiring problem, just the what had to be done for it to work.

I only trailer my boat twice each year 2 km to put in and take out of my lake and if I forget the headlights prior to reversing.... lock-up. I scratch my head over it too.

I think that your adapter must not be transferring the signal correctly. Your dealer educated you on a "work around". And I totally get it that for the minimal amount you trailer, it's probably not a huge priority to chase it down.

Again, I suspect the following:


If your headlights are on Auto, it's probably not dark enough when you're launching to have the headlights come on.
If you have it on auto lights and it's daylight, you're getting no 12v+ to the lockup circuit on the trailer, because the truck's running lights aren't on.
If you put it in reverse, that SHOULD be delivering the 12v+ to the correct wire on the trailer plug. But it appears your reverse from the truck is going nowhere.
If manually turning on your headlights is sending 12v+ to your reverse circuit on your trailer, that's the only thing that's really making the solenoid lock up. It wouldn't matter if your truck was in Neutral, park, Drive, or reverse. Forcing your headlights ON delivers the 12v+ to your trailer to lock it out. The dealer could have said that you needed to turn on your headlights, turn the stereo to Sat Radio, and listen to country music, then put the truck in reverse, and roll down only the drivers side windows. (but as long as the lights are on, your solenoid will disengage).


Again, you probably don't care enough to mess with it, but about 5 minutes and a test light and I'd be able to tell ya what's really happening and why. Again, I suspect it's the 5 to 7 adapter isn't right.

[BrentC5Z]

Trying to be open minded to this issue. Do your back up lights come on when the headlights aren't?

This would make sense as to why the dealer's suggestion works.

[trayson]

to the OP. keep in mind that there are different wiring setups that don't use the center pin for reverse... for example, there's this diagram where the center pin is for Auxillary power and there's no reverse circuit on the trailer. (this is how the wiring was on my single axle RV trailer)

http://techteazer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/7-way-trailer-plug-wiring-diagram-ford-new-f150-graphics-of-pin.jpg

Again, with a test light, you can see what pin on your truck is the reverse circuit and then verify what's happening on your adapter harness and if it's the pin that the trailer is needing.

Obviously this way is certainly more common. but that doesn't mean it's how your truck is setup..
https://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/f/a/faq043-vehicle7waydia-ver2_2_800.jpg

in fact, on my buddy's BMW X5, he had to take it into the dealer when he added a hitch and the factory tow harness so that they could program the car's computer to know it had a hitch with the USA wiring diagram. the wiring diagram for europe is different!!!!

[jason1973]

has anyone had any issues with boatmate trailer brakes when towing with a 17,18.19 Chevy Tahoe, Silverado etc...? Trying to determine if its my truck or trailer.

[sandm]

don't know if there's a difference in a '16 but no issues with my 16 silverado towing a boatmate trailer. now my trailer is from '14 and has the 5 wire straight plugged into a round 7 adapter and into the truck from there but it's plug and play with brakes deactivating as advertised.

my reverse and brake lights on the trailer are backwards from 1 side to the other but I think this was a wiring fubar from boatmate.

[MLA]

has anyone had any issues with boatmate trailer brakes when towing with a 17,18.19 Chevy Tahoe, Silverado etc...? Trying to determine if its my truck or trailer.

With a surge brake trailer, the vehicle should not effect the brakes moving forward, but if the issue is backing up, just need to test to for voltage on the revers pin when truck is in reverse. I would check the owners manual fuse box layout for a possible dedicated reverse fuse for trailer harness. Most trucks have park and stop/turn signal fuses for the trailer harness, so to not blow the trucks lights fuses if there is a trailer issue.