Trailer brakes locking- help

[terjolan]

I have a 2011 RZ2 and when trying to back it on a new gravel driveway the hydraulic brakes keep locking up. The tongue of the trailer has the hydraulic surge brake design and it seems to be too sensitive. Is there a way to lock this out to prevent it from braking when unnecessary? With the drive being new gravel, it tends to compress just enough while in reverse to continually trigger the brakes lock the trailer. It was causing me to say stuff worthy of a mouthful of soap earlier today. Ended up having to hook the skid steer to the back of the trailer and pull it into the shop while just steering with the truck. Putting the boat in the shop became a two man job. Not cool. Any suggestions?

[ajholt7]

Mine has a key you put in when you back up.

[ajholt7]

[dingleberry]

Mine automatically disengages the brakes when I put the truck into reverse. What kind of tow rig and trailer plug do you have?

[adamsjstt]

I have a 07 rz2 that sits on a boatmate trailer with surge brakes , on mine I have a blue wire going to a solenoid on the brake reservoir that needs to be hooked to 12 volts when backing, you should have a backup wire on your trailer plug for your backup lights . Hook up the wire to that source and it should be fine

[dingleberry]

Mine has a key you put in when you back up.

Usually a nickel is the correct size, too, and can work in a pinch if you need to manually lock the breaks out.

[knottsindy]

Mine automatically disengages the brakes when I put the truck into reverse. What kind of tow rig and trailer plug do you have?

Mine does also, check your receptacle on the back of your truck - if its a 7 pin round set up the number 2 post (10 oclock pos'n looking into the socket) should power up when the truck is in reverse and this overrides the brake system. If its a 7 pin flat, it should be the third pin from the right (again looking into the plug). If you don't have a 7 pin system I believe you will have to use the override key mentioned above.

Mike

[terjolan]

That key looks like exactly what I needed today.
I have a 2006 F-150 I use to pull it. I'm just using the standard plug that comes with the trailer. It looks to be a mechanically triggered system, but are the electronics somehow designed to disengage the hydraulics? I didn't have the trailer plugged in today because I just pulled it out of the shop about 50 feet so they could finish the driveway, and then I was trying to back it back in. From looking at the setup I didn't think the electrics would help. Should have at least tried that I guess. Might would have saved me a small aneurysm if it makes a difference.

[terjolan]

Thanks dingleberry and knottsindy. Very good to know. I appreciate it.

[adamsjstt]

Plug it in and give it a try. If wired correctly when in reverse power is sent to the brake master cylinder and allows the brake fluid to free flow back into the reservoir and keeps the brakes released

[adamsjstt]

If you have a fold away tongue fold it back and look at the master cylinder you should see a solenoid attached to it with a wire coming out that is what disengages the hydraulics

[murphini]

I had the same problem--turns out my backup solenoid wasn't wired. Before I bought my boat, I had a electronic brake controller installed years ago at uHaul when I towed a tailer with brakes.

To "fix", I first replaced the solenoid, still didn't work. Then the trailer guys checked the wiring and figured it wasn't getting the signal. Then they also told me the manual lock out trick with the key or nickel.

I think a 3/8th bolt (measure it) will also fit in that slot. I keep one in my truck door locker with some electrical tape for an emergency--or to give to someone like you I meet who is having troubles backing up.

[st68]

I had the same issue last year... have been meaning to pick up a key for this. Where do I get one of these keys? Thanks.

[Dan and Christy]

Please be sure to check your brake wire! In my case it is the blue one. After I replaced the pinched/cut section my brakes unlocked and finally work in reverse.

[ajholt7]

I had the same issue last year... have been meaning to pick up a key for this. Where do I get one of these keys? Thanks.

Contact your trailer manufacturer.