Surge Brakes Sticking in Reverse - Help!

[Trent 197]

Guys,

I took my 2011 X2 out Saturday. Everything was fine until I got back to storage and starting backing the boat into the unit. The surge brakes kept locking up. I checked the connection. The blinkers and brake lights were operational. I unplugged and replugged in the 7 prong. I turned on and off the truck. Nothing worked.

I went back and found the mechanism on the underside of the tongue. It would not depress and stay depressed. After working with it for a while I got it to depress, but after I backed up a few feet it would pop back out. I had to go do it again, over and over, until I finally got the boat all the way into the unit.

How do the surge brakes work exactly? Any suggestions on what I need to do to fix this?

Thanks,

Trent

p.s. I've attached a photo of the underside of the tongue for reference.

[Alan-S]

Were the white reverse lights turning on?

[Eagle]

I had a similar problem and got a slug to put in the slider to keep the brakes from locking when backing up. I think a coin (nickle?) will also fit to serve as a lockout.

[kskonn]

I had this issue and it turned out I was missing a fuse on my truck to provide power to the reverse lights in the trailer. It also serves to deactivate the brakes on the trailer while on reverse. Have someone check to see if the reverse lights are on when backing up as suggested above.

[kgrove]

Short term fix: there is a hole on the side of the actuator where you can insert a long bolt, screw driver, or rod that will keep the actuator from engaging the brakes while you back up. Remember to remove this before driving for real as it completely disengages the surge brakes.

Long term fix: sounds like the surge brakes are failing to disengage like they are supposed to when your transmission is in reverse. This could be an issue with the electrical connection to the trailer or it could be a bad solenoid on the actuator. If the reverse lights work correctly on the trailer, it is a bad solenoid. If the reverse lights aren't on, the trailer is not getting the reverse signal which tells the solenoid to bypass the brakes.

[kevkan]

2008 trailer... I've had this same problem from time to time. I keep a 1/4" bolt in my console just for this reason. I've checked the wiring on my truck, reverse wire is good. I did check and make sure my brakes weren't hanging up all the time. (They weren't) Other than that, I keep a bolt handy for the 1 in 10 times the brakes lock up in reverse.

[Hummer2134]

Had the exact same problem this past weekend and got stuck for 2 hrs. Turns out the person who installed the 7 plug connector on my truck had only hooked up 6 of the wires. All lights worked including reverse lights so it was a bit confusing. I can say the trailer brakes work well because it bent my ranch hand bumpers on my duramax when I was backing into boat locker. Best bet is to check wiring of tow vehicle.

[wheelerd]

I bought one of these lockout caps not too long ago. http://www.pacifictrailers.com/UFP-A...-Lockout-Cap-/
Just a quick turn in the event the reverse solenoid ever stops working.

[petermegan]

As you select reverse and the reverse lights activate on the trailer, current is sent to a solenoid which gives you a bypass of the brake circuit so the brakes will not apply when backing up. Problem can be no current at your plug from your truck because the plug is not wired for reversing lights or there is a fault in your truck's wiring. There is a break in the wire from the plug to the solenoid (near your master cylinder), or the solenoid is faulty. My actuator doesn't have a hole for a pin, but a washer can stop it from sliding. If you google your actuator you will get a breakdown for parts. I am suspicious the lever on the underside is actually a hand bleeder for your brakes and not intended for reversing, but not sure of this. Hope this helps. Have fun

[houtexX30]

check the fuse in your truck. should be under the hood.. Its happened to me on a number of trailers and vehicles. There should be a specific fuse just for the trailer reverse signal