Trailer Reverse Question

[mmandley]

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?

[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.

[mmandley]

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.

[yellowa4]

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.

[gcnettl]

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.