REVERSE PROBLEM

[HB.FAB.CO]

I JUST PURCHASED A 1999 22I AND WHEN TRYING TO BACK IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY I NOTICED THE TRAILER BRAKES WERE STICKING AND DRAGING THE TIRES A BIT. I WAS STILL ABLE TO MUSCLE IT IN WITH MY DIESEL BUT I KNOW IT CANT BE GOOD TO HAVE TO DO THAT. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM? ANY SUGGESTIONS ON A FIX?

[scottie4421]

I believe most trailers with surge brakes will do this when backing up an incline. It's because the trailer is pressing against your truck which is similar to heading downhill decelerating. So the brakes are activating. There should be a lever/switch on the tongue of your trailer that you can flip when this is happening.

Do a search on www.wakeworld.com and you'll find a ton of people who've had the same problem.

[raythompson]

Check that your backup light connection to the trailer is working. When the backup lights come on the brakes actuator is supposed to lock to prevent the brakes from activating. A 5 wire plug is required to connect to the tow vehicle.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by scottie4421
I believe most trailers with surge brakes will do this when backing up an incline.

This function gets disabled on my trailer when the backup lights are activated and no locking pin is required. For trailers without a backup light connection there should be a locking pin to lock the surge mechanism.

[Tequilasun]

The reverse lights disengage my surge brakes as well, but I have a key that sticks in the side where the plunger is and keeps it from depressing the cylinder.

[TeamAllen]

The 99 probably doesn't have the back up light feature. I think they were later with the disc brakes. If you have an Extreme Trailer with drum surge brakes you proably need a key that keeps the trailer brakes from working while backing up. The key would be very inexpensive if you don't already have one. The expensive way is to upgrade the trailer to the new disc brake style. It has an extra wire for the backup lights. When the cars backup lights are turned on, your brakes are turned off and you don't have to use any key. You can also tell by the amount of wire prongs are on the trailer wire harness connection. If there are only four you don't have the newer backup feature.

http://www.extremetrailers.com

[HB.FAB.CO]

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP EVERYONE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE RELAY TRAILER REVERSE RELAY WAS IN THE GLOVE BOX INSTEAD OF THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX. I PUT IT IN AND HAVENT HAD A SINCE. THE TRAILER HAS A FIVE WIRE PLUG WITH DISK BRAKES, SO I GUESS IT WAS ONLY THE RELAY