Trailer Brakes locking up

This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 9 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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September 1, 2016 at 1:31 pm #283616

Jbird62
Participant

This past weekend, my son and a friend took the kitty to the lake. They used the friends truck to tow the boat. They said that when they were backing down the ramp, the triler brakes would lock up. They would pull forward alittle and they would unlock. Had to do this a couple time to get them boat down to the water. When they came back home the brakes locked up when backing into the garage. They finally had to unhitch the boat and push it in by hand? Any ideas what would cause this? I have not had a chance to hook up to my truck to see if it acted that way on mine, but I have never had this problem with my truck or my sons truck. Would something in the way the friends electrical hookup was wired cause this? It is a tandem axle BBC trailer with brakes on the rear axle.

September 1, 2016 at 2:52 pm #283617

Jeff W from TX
Participant

Yes. The boat thinks it needs to stop as the actuator is being depressed just like you were breaking. There is a relay in the truck that “signals” the trailer to deactivate this when you are backing up. His friends truck does not have this relay activated. My first truck (2002 Ford F150) I had the same problem when I bought a 2005 Cougar. I went to the dealership and they installed the fuse that then activated this feature. Have him check with the truck dealer concerning this.Last edited by Jeff W from TX on September 1st, 2016, 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

September 1, 2016 at 3:49 pm #283618

polaris425
Participant

^^ Yes…But no need to go to the dealer, just get out his owners manual and look for whatever fuse slot operates anything to do with reverse, and check all of the fuses, if theres no fuse in the slot, put the right on in there and presto!!I had to do the same with my 2003 F150… just needed a fuse.Also, if it ever happens again, no need to unhitch, just put a nut or bolt head or something in the slot to keep the actuator from pushing back… wouldnt recommend this long term, just in a tight…13 PIV w/ 200 MercIG: WarriorRiverCustomRods

September 1, 2016 at 4:35 pm #283619

GRR884
Participant

The little tool that came with your boat will get out of a bind when this happens.

September 1, 2016 at 4:55 pm #283620

Redngoo
Participant

polaris425 wrote:^^ Yes…But no need to go to the dealer, just get out his owners manual and look for whatever fuse slot operates anything to do with reverse, and check all of the fuses, if theres no fuse in the slot, put the right on in there and presto!!I had to do the same with my 2003 F150… just needed a fuse.Also, if it ever happens again, no need to unhitch, just put a nut or bolt head or something in the slot to keep the actuator from pushing back… wouldnt recommend this long term, just in a tight… My 02 I bought new with factory towing package was the same way. Though not a fuse. Actually a relay. Kinda crazy truck designed to pull and no backup relay. Only cost like 10 bucks. Guses a cost saving measure.2013 PANTERA 2MERCURY 200 PRO XSMINNKOTA 80LB FORTREX25 fury

September 1, 2016 at 5:10 pm #283621

Jeff W from TX
Participant

Redngoo- You are right now that you said that, it was a relay. I actually had in my glove box. When I bought the truck they probably told me what it was but I did not have a problem until of bought the 2005 cougar used in 2007. When I brought my truck into the dealer they opened up my glove box and there it was in the original package. They installed it for free. But you are right, I had the towing package, why wouldnt they have installed it right away?Before I have the 2005 Cougar I had a 1993 PII and never had a problem backing. Guess it did not have the same feature.

September 1, 2016 at 5:57 pm #283622

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Thanks everyone. I have passed this along to the friend.

September 1, 2016 at 6:03 pm #283623

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Another tactic that works with older trailers is to turn the power plug sideways and use the blue pin to connect into the brown pin on the vehicle plug. Then power the parking lights and the brown wire should power the reverse backup solenoid.
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