Trailer Problems

[Tige22ityper]

I have the Extreme Tandem trailer for my Tige and I am having problems with the trailer brakes releasing.
I posted this on wakeboarder.com and got some good responses, but I thought I would post it here and see what you guys think.

In order to back up my trailer, I have to flip the 5 way plug that goes to the trailer, and only plug in 4 of the 5 prongs to the trailer. Then, I have to turn on my lights in order for the brakes to release. What do you think? Is there a short in the wiring harness between the truck and trailer? Could there be a short somewhere else?

any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Tige M.D.]

First of all, have you checked the wiring in the tow vehicle? I have seen alot of Fords come with a small fuse causing it to pop.
If that is o.k. then get a test light and check for power out the plug. If it is a round 7 you should get power out of the center post. If it is a flat 5 then the blue wire should power up. Both of these tests are done with the truck in reverse. Be careful!!! If you have power then hook up the trailer wiring and swing the tongue, look inside the tongue and you will see a small solenoid with a blue wire. Test for power.
There is a chance that the plugs are not wired properly.
Also, make sure you have the correct adaptor, round 7 to flat 5, if your truck is so equiped.

[blr]

Tige22ityper
i have the same issue with my extreme. i have checked all of the wiring and it is good. they make 2 different types of "lock outs" that you can use to turn off the brakes when your backing. one is fixed (you put it in and leave it in) and goes in the hole on the top of your tongue, you have to get out of the truck turn it to the correct position, and then back up. fun part is, if you go forward at all, it will go back to the regular position. the other type is a small, flat piece of metal that goes on the side of your tongue (where that round end of a shaft with a c-ring is) it will keep the tongue from depressing and applying the breaks as well, but again you have to get out and put it in each time. i think the flat metal piece is like $12 and the permanant one is like $22. mine usually only has issues when backing up an incline (not much of one needed) but it is a pain. i hope my new extreme is a better. haven't had to back it much yet. jst my experience.

[blr]

i have to say though, yours does sound like a wiring issue if you can switch the plug around and get it to work properly.

[Tige M.D.]

If you have any questions about the trailer call Tony at Extreme Trailers 909/682-5522

[yllis]

I had the same problem but it was not the 2004 trailer, it was the truck.

The blue wire supplying power to the trailer brake release was not getting power. Just use a light tester and hook the aligator clip to the only male prong of the wire harness and then put the other end of the tester into female receptacle with the blue wire to verify you have power.

I found that although I had a tow package on my 2001 F-350 Ford I still needed two relays under the hood to power it. I paid the local Ford dealer $17.00, plugged them in and no more problems.

Good luck

Yllis

[Beau McCrory]

yliss is right. you have to have power and thus the lights on to disengage the brakes. your blue wire on the 5 prong doesn't get power in reverse. see your truck dealer for the relays or wire ol' blue in to the reverse light.

[ssrgeoff]

I havent had a problem yet in my truck 02 Ford F250. But last wekend I found that one of my rims had a pin hole and would not keep air. To not spoil my weekend we used my neighbors truck 01 Ford F150 and same thing happend. He was able to back up twice but any other time we had to flip the plug around and turn on the lights.... weird.

[scootc]

The trailer should have a solenoid inside the hitch that locks out the brake mechanism whenever the truck is in reverse. This solenoid is activated by 12v from the truck connector when its in reverse.

My neighbor had the same problem with his F150. I think it's an '01 or an '02. He later remembered a bag of stuff the dealer gave him when the truck was new. In this bag he found a little black relay that snaps into the fuse box under the hood. This activated the 12v output from the truck connector (center pin I think) when the truck is in reverse.

Hope this helps.