Boat trailer blues

[specialk]

As luck will have it, after taking the boat out about 10 times already, we took it out last night and when we disconnected the 5 pin connector the farthest male pin (blue on the trailer, red on the truck) broke off. Looking at a wiring diagram that was the back up brake pin. Needless to say, when we tried to back it up, the brakes locked up. I had to hit the release pin and it let me back up, but I could still hear the brakes engaging, though not as bad.


Question is- for a temporary fix, can I just "strap" the brake release tab in the up unlock position. We only drive it 100 feet from the dry storage to the boat ramp, we have a 4wd Denali so I am not concerned that the boat is going to overpower the tow vehicle backing down a relatively flat ramp.

I also looked at the brake fluid, it was about 1/4 deep at the bottom of the reservoir at the trailer reciever, should it be a little higher, fluid was nice and clear. It is a 2008 Dorsey.


Also, if per se, i did want to trailer it about 80 miles, not having the brake tabs depressed, the brakes should work fine, except backing up.

As always, thanks for the info.

[MoneyPity]

The local trip should be ok but I would spend the needed time to replace the broken cne before a long trip be it 80 miles or more

[somebodyelse5]

I made a little "thing" that fit in the slot where the surge break works, I drilled a hole in it and I just keep it on the boat keys in case I ever need it.



Makes backing up without a connection work like a charm.

You will be able to pull fine, but anytime you have to back up you will have problems. Just wiring an entirely new male piece should be easy, just get a hole new 5 pin.

[dingleberry]

Another emergency item to use if you need to lock out the brakes to reverse - a nickel will usually fit perfectly in the slot.

[somebodyelse5]

Another emergency item to use if you need to lock out the brakes to reverse - a nickel will usually fit perfectly in the slot.

I was always afraid it would slip under.
You could get some big thick washers and tack weld them together, or jb weld them, and then grind the top and bottom so you have a nice piece to stick in there that will go on your keys nice! Would only take a few minutes to make. Heck or find a bolt that would fit...

[specialk]

I have already bought the 5 pin, but since I want to solder it on and use a heat shrink wrap protectant on the wires due to the fact that will see a lot of h20 ect. I don't want to burn alot of the weekend up doing that.


I like the c-clamp idea, and I am going to skip the 80 mile trip and just stay at the local lake.



Thanks again, as always.


Also, proper brake fluid hieght ?

[Iwndr]

I've used nickels for years on multiple trailers and never seen one get stuck. Insert the nickel into slot and duct tape in place, no clamping required. remove if you want full braking power.
I seem to always have nickels and duct tape in my tow rig

[somebodyelse5]

I've used nickels for years on multiple trailers and never seen one get stuck. Insert the nickel into slot and duct tape in place, no clamping required. remove if you want full braking power.
I seem to always have nickels and duct tape in my tow rig

Haha idk if you know my luck
If it could possibly go wrong....its does hahaha so I try and do my best to beat the odds and be extra careful

But i will keep the nickel in mind.

[TeamAllen]

Another emergency item to use if you need to lock out the brakes to reverse - a nickel will usually fit perfectly in the slot.

Nice trick Dingle! Thanks for the tip. You never know when that might come in handy?