Trailer Reverse Question

Recently had the trailer serviced for a stuck caliper and all seems fine now. Prior to this work we could not back up at all without putting the trailer brake key in. We went out to the lake this weekend and it backed into the water fine, thus we chalked the problem up to the seized caliper. However, when we got home and went to put it in the driveway, we had to put the key in to back up. The boat was on a slight incline forward the way the road is if that makes a difference. The vehicle is a 2004 Jeep with the trailer install done right from the factory, thus I am sure it is wired correctly to allow it to back up this type of trailer. Any other thoughts on where to look?

Thanks,

My first boat, the 02 Mobius, had the same key. I don't think that it has the reverse selenoid like my 06 XLV does. I always had to use the reverse key when I put the 02 in the driveway. My 06 doesn't have the key, just the wiring to release it when the backup lights come on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by yellowa4

Recently had the trailer serviced for a stuck caliper and all seems fine now. Prior to this work we could not back up at all without putting the trailer brake key in. We went out to the lake this weekend and it backed into the water fine, thus we chalked the problem up to the seized caliper. However, when we got home and went to put it in the driveway, we had to put the key in to back up. The boat was on a slight incline forward the way the road is if that makes a difference. The vehicle is a 2004 Jeep with the trailer install done right from the factory, thus I am sure it is wired correctly to allow it to back up this type of trailer. Any other thoughts on where to look?

Thanks,

---

Sounds normal to me. I have an 06 LSV, and I do not have the reverse solenoid wired. I rarely ever use the key to back my trailer. My drive way has a ever so slight grade as I start backing in then it tapers down hill. I've only used the key once that I can remember getting into my driveway. It usually backs up with no problem.

I will say that when you turn around to back up you need to pull forward kind of quickly to make sure the cylinder is completely extended before you back the boat up. This will help keep it from braking.

Some trailers breaking systems are more free and sensitive than others.

Obviously, if you back up a steep grade you will need the key or the reverse solenoid wired to your reverse light circuit.

My 07 was driving me crazy with not being able to back up but only sometimes... I have the back up solenoid. I chased ground wire trouble first but finally ended up being a bad solenoid. I changed it out and this is now a pretty sweet system.

I know that all double axle trailers '07 & up use the UFP A-60 actuator / disc brakes with backup solenoid which eliminates the key. IF you have the A-60 without solenoid you can easily convert it by adding disc brakes, the solenoid, 5-pin connector and running the extra wire. I've done this already on two other trailers and doing another in a week or two.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ed G

your vehicle came wired from the factory with a 5 pin connector??

Most have the 4 pin and are in need of some wiring modifcation for the trailer brakes

---

Yeah, it was nice to have it like that. We have a adapter that steps it to a four pin if we need it.

Thanks for all the replies - sounds like it might be the norm to a point. I think I will try the 'real quick forward' movement and then backup and see if that helps.

My 2001 trailer has the same issue. I have the backup solenoid on it, and I have it wired properly, but the brakes still apply when I back up. I am guessing the solenoid has gone bad. Where would one buy a replacement? Dealer? Boatmate?

If it's the UFP A-60 actuator you can get it direct from UFP in San Marcos, CA.

Unique Functional Products
135 Sunshine Lane
San Marcos, CA 92069

Telephone:

(760) 744-1610
(800) 854-1905

Fax: (760) 744-4709

I went local... They had one at a trailer sales and repair place. I think 26 $.

The new one had an extra ground wire but every thing else the same.

Mine does this intermittently when I hit the curb on my driveway. I was told by the dealer that it is a grounding issue with the breakaway tongue on the trailer. The ground circuit can be broken when the tongue gets jolted preventing the solenoid from actuating. They told me the fix was to ground the trailer behind the breakaway tongue. Haven't had time to try it yet but figured i'd pass it on.

Maybe im misunderstanding here so i want to ask a few questions to clear it up.

When backing up i have the Tandem 4 wheel disk brakes on my trailer. I use the standard 7 pin with the electronic back up circuit.

I also have the key for the tongue on a short cable and it plugs in right behind the ball on the tongue.

I was told when trailering to leave this key in all the time. It allows you to back the trailer up. I was told if i take it out the brakes will come on and you cant back up the trailer.

I always leave this little pin in the trailer, my driveway is very step, so step i only have 1 inch clearance under the cross beam protecting the prop.

I understand if im going down a ramp in reverse the brakes wouldn't be on due to the trailer pulling the truck down the ramp as well. What im wondering is if you don't have that pin in the trailer wouldn't you have issues backing up normally? Wouldn't the tongue compress just the same as when applying the brakes?

Mike,

If you have the 5 pin or 7 pin setup on both the trailer and rig then you will not need to install the key to backup. When you go into reverse the breaks will release. That is one of the points to the 5 pins. It also provides backup lights on the trailer.

Also i think the pin you are talking about is not for the trailer revers lockout but is for the hitch safety pin. It allows the hitch not to release when you have it on your ball. This is a round pin that goes in right behind the ball after you lock it on the trailer. If this pin is in it will not allow you to lock the trailer on the ball.

I have never put in the lockout pin and never had an issue backing up the trailer. Granted i have never tryed to backup the trailer without my 5 pin connection plugged in. But i do know my trailer breaks work since i can feel them release after comming to a stop on a hill.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jester

Mike,

If you have the 5 pin or 7 pin setup on both the trailer and rig then you will not need to install the key to backup. When you go into reverse the breaks will release. That is one of the points to the 5 pins. It also provides backup lights on the trailer.

Also i think the pin you are talking about is not for the trailer revers lockout but is for the hitch safety pin. It allows the hitch not to release when you have it on your ball. This is a round pin that goes in right behind the ball after you lock it on the trailer. If this pin is in it will not allow you to lock the trailer on the ball.

I have never put in the lockout pin and never had an issue backing up the trailer. Granted i have never tryed to backup the trailer without my 5 pin connection plugged in. But i do know my trailer breaks work since i can feel them release after comming to a stop on a hill.

---

OK thats right that makes since. I just went out and checked and if i have the hitch on the trailer in the down position with the pin in you cant open the hitch ball cover. See i was just misunderstanding LOL.

Thanks for all the replies - it seems like it is more related to it being on a slight angle that the key needs to be put in. When we were out at the lake it backed in fine, thus it seems like it wired fine. But once we got home and were on a slight angle to back into the driveway we had to put the key in to unlock the brakes. Seems like the way it will have to be.

My brakes were working great till one day, I went to back out of my parking spot at the boat landing and the brakes were locked. I had to force some screws in above the brake fluid reservoir in order to keep the master cylinder from being compressed. My 5 pin trailer connector was in ill shape so i bought a new one, spliced it in, and the next time at the lake, same problem. Trailer was grounded, lights worked, everything seemed fine except the brakes catching. I got out my test light and put the truck in reverse with the e-brake on. I tested the last female terminal on the truck side, which is for the reverse circuit, and got nothing. I got a new adapter and problem was solved.

So, first I would do a check to ensure the trailer connector is receiving power from the vehicle on the reverse pin.

A slight incline should have nothing to do with it, These boats are heavy on a flat surface anyway and mine would not back up even without a boat on it until my problem was solved.