5-way plug boatmate trailer wiring

[carcrz]

I'm trying to figure out my wiring on our new boat's trailer (boatmate). I have everything down except for the blue wires. I traced 2 to the clear LED/reverse lights & 1 to the trailer brakes. But when I hook up the trailer brakes the actuator doesn't engage. Did I miss something somewhere?

Going from a 5-way to a 7-way so I skipped the positive plug on the 7-way. The rest were all used (ground, left blinker, right blinker, stop/markers, reverse, and electric brakes).

[Iwndr]

Are you using this adapter? I just plug it in to the Boatmate 4 pin and then into the trucks 7 pin. without it my trailer brakes will not disengage in reverse

[carcrz]

I wish I could have found an adapter flatlike that for a 5-way. All I could find was one like that for a 4-way flat though. The adapter I tried kept tripping fuses also. So I figured I'd just change out the plug itself & not need an adapter.

[Iwndr]

I wish I could have found an adapter flatlike that for a 5-way. All I could find was one like that for a 4-way flat though. The adapter I tried kept tripping fuses also. So I figured I'd just change out the plug itself & not need an adapter.

I think mine is actually a 5 way, four sockets and 1 pin

[Iwndr]

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

I bought mine from my dealer I'll see if I can find one online

[Iwndr]

Amazon has it cheapest as usual

http://www.amazon.com/Optronics-TRAI.../dp/B001RN2AW0

[carcrz]

Already using the 7-way. Adapter is of no use at this point since I've already cut the end off. Any idea on the brake wire though. That's the only one in question right now. It just hooks up the the electric brake wire, correct? Any reason it wouldn't engage if it was wired correctly at the plug?

[carcrz]

Got an answer on WW that I think answered why I wasn't noticing anything just testing it in my driveway. "The brakes are engaged by the coupler. 1 of the wires for reverse disengages the brakes so you can back the trailer up a hill. That may not have answered the question, but hope it helped. "

[jmhatchett]

I know my response sounds weird, but what are you using for the tow vehicle???

I have had the same problem but only when i used my brothers truck to tow, He has a 2006 F-250 V10 which tows amazing but when its time to reverse on flat ground the truck wont relay to the brake bypass and the brakes lock up. My truck does it perfect every time though. The truck was the problem in this case.

All i can say is that it sounds as if you are wiring correctly- Blue trailer wire to the Reverse hole of the hook up. I checked and checked when i had problems with my brothers truck and found that it was the truck causing the problem.

[whitlock87]

For electric brakes, they engage when you apply the brake.

Your trailer has surge brakes, so they apply on their own when the trailer pushes agents the hitch.

As you said, a bypass must be engaged to back the trailer up. This is why the trailer brakes are tied to the backup lights. On my trailer, this pin needs positive voltage.

[carcrz]

I know my response sounds weird, but what are you using for the tow vehicle???

2005 Dodge Ram QC Cummins Auto SB SRW

[jmhatchett]

2005 Dodge Ram QC Cummins Auto SB SRW

I would imagine that you truck should bypass the brakes just fine, simple way to check if the truck is sending the reverse relay is to have a buddy put the truck in reverse and get a circuit tester, catch the reverse pin and the ground and see if you're getting the relay. You said you cut out the 5 way and went with a 7 way connecter, and I would assume that you are wiring it correctly but here is a picture.

[carcrz]

If I remember correctly, I think my center post is the reverse. So I need to wire the blue wire coming off the brake solenoid onto this post w/ the reverse lights, correct? Or do I need to wire that brake solenoid onto the brake post?