Boatmate trailer brake problem...

[thedude]

Hey guys, so this weekend I noticed the brake fluid reservoir on my trailer (2003 tandem axle) was about empty. So I filled it up to spec and was on my way. When I come back and go to back up into my spot, my trailer brakes would lock up. I had the electrical connection unhooked as I was under the impression that this would cure this locking up problem when backing up a slight incline. The trailer brakes are activated as the trailer tongue slides in and out as the tow vehicle brakes.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of problem? I ended up having to wedge a few pennies (yes its ghetto, but it worked) near the sliding mechanism to prevent the trailer brakes from being activated. I'd prefer not to have to stick coins in trailer every time I want to back up on a level or slightly inclined surface. Any ideas?

Matt

[thedude]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

I forgot to mention, I use a circular 6 prong (truck) to a straight 5 prong (trailer) electrical adapter if that effects anything.

[MHayes]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

The electrical connection is what allows you to back up without the brakes on the trailer locking up. Plug the connector in. By the way, I use the same 6 pin round to 5 pin trailer.

[jchamlin]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

I have that problem all the time. Sometimes it will back up but I can tell the brakes are somewhat engaged. A friend of mine suggested I bleed the brake lines but I have not had a chance to do it yet. I don't even know where the fluid reservoir is...maybe you can tell me.

Has anyone else had to bleed their lines before?

[ScottyAir]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

I wouldn't bleed the lines. I bought a new Boatmate trailer in 2006 for my new Air 206 and got it all the way home and the brakes locked up because it was on an incline. Turns out the salesman forgot to tell me you have to put a little key into a place on top of on the trailer tongue and either use a six-pin connector or reverse the 5 pin. It's a lockout mechanism that Unique Functional Products makes for Boatmate. Go to their website and there's a flash instructional showing you how to do it. The dealership brought me a key that day, but I hear you can use a small stack of dimes. Good luck!

[skiswm]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

my trailier is a DHM, but you should be able to "turn off" the brakes. My trailer has a lever you lift up, or if that fails, if you have a removable tounge just disconnect the line and the brakes won't go on. Hope that helps...

[ScottyAir]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

P.S. I keep the key zip-tied to the trailer tongue. You can order the key from Unique Functional Products or Boatmate.

[jmo]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

Hi,

One additional comment I would make is that if the reservoir was completely empty you really should bleed the brakes to get rid of any air in the line that was introduced by trailering with the reservoir run dry. If you have air in the lines it could significantly reduce the effectiveness of the braking system, especially during hard stops when some idiot cuts you off or isn't paying attention.

Its actually pretty easy to do (albiet a little messy) if you buy a $4 "one man" brake kit (a piece of hose with a check valve so no air gets in when you back off the pressure) at your local auto parts store. I did this for the first time this spring when I swapped my drum brakes for disk...

[thedude]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

ScottyAir- Thanks for your help, I was totally unaware there was a "key" to back the trailer up an incline since I am not the original owner. Makes sense to me now, I'll buy that key you mentioned.

jchamlin-The reservoir on my trailer is inside the tongue. There is a little cap with some writing on it, the cap is about the size of a quarter. If you have the same trailer as I do, you'll be able to see it in the little cutout on the top of the trailer tongue when the trailer not hooked to the vehicle (or the trailer tongue is all the way extended). Pop the cap off and fill it up to about 1/2 inch from the top, its easy to get to.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Matt

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

Try leaving the lights plugged in before you go buy a key. Most have a reverse brake lockout feature, but you have to be plugged in for it to work.

[thedude]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

Thanks Jeff, I can't recall if I tried plugging the connection in when I was having my troubles on Sunday. I think I tried that but I can't say for sure. I'll try that again. I checked out the Unique Functional Products website today, and I can't say that I'm certain that my trailer has the electric lockout, it looks like that was an option on these trailers. They recommend it with disk brakes, whick I do have, so I'm hoping I have the electric lockout installed. I'll check into it more when I go to use the boat this weekend.

Matt

[nautique95]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

Your truck plug needs to be wired for reverse lights, this is the prong that engages the brake release, most newer vehicles have this. Make sure it is plugged in next time you back up and see if that takes care of the problem. My last two Prestige trailers work that way.

[skiswm]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

I would think it's pretty easy to know if you have the reverse lockout feature. If your trailer has back up lights (White lights) then you have backup power working. If you only have red tail lights, then I'd guess you don't have the lockout function. Personally, my trailer doesn't have this feature, so if I backup I need to disengage the breaks.

[DanielC]

RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

If you have the flat five trailer connector, the wire farthest from the "odd" pin on the connector is the feed for the brake lockout. Typically it is blue. The wire closest to the "odd" pin is the power for the trailer marker lights. It is typically brown. If your tow vehicle is not wired to power a brake lockout, many times connecting the brown wire from the tow vehicle to the blue wire on the trailer will engage the brake lockout, when you turn the lights on. The brake lockout grounds through the trailer hitch

[NautiqueJeff]

Re: RE: Boatmate trailer brake problem...

I would think it's pretty easy to know if you have the reverse lockout feature. If your trailer has back up lights (White lights) then you have backup power working. If you only have red tail lights, then I'd guess you don't have the lockout function. Personally, my trailer doesn't have this feature, so if I backup I need to disengage the breaks.

That's not necessarily true. The past three trailers that I have owned had the reverse lockout feature, but none of them had backup lights.