Trailer Bolt

[dreddy]

What am I missing in this picture? This morning I went to hook up to the tow rig and there was a 3" carriage bolt sitting in the circled hole with no nut or connection to anything. There is a matching hole on the other side but it had nothing in it. It looks like there has been something in that position for some time as the paint has worn but I honestly have never even noticed it. Can someone take a look and let me know what I need to put back in there if anything? I haven't found a detailed enough picture anywhere else on the forum.

Thanks

[ridesdirt]

I think that is the reverse lockout. It lets you back the trailer up without the brakes engaging when the lights are not plugged in. An example would be if you use a 4 wheeler to move your trailer around, this is the mechanical system to prevent the surge brakes from engaging.

[FrankSchwab]

Which, if there was a bolt in there that you never paid attention to, means that you've had no working brakes on your trailer.

Isn't it fun to find out these things?

/frank

[TallRedRider]

Isn't that little bolt on the emergency brake cable supposed to be inside the housing of the trailer?

If not, then why is it there?

[Tlxstar]

My vote is for the reverse lockout for the brakes. Putting a pin (or bolt or nail...) through that hole blocks the brakes from engaging. Is used for some cars so that you can back the trailer without the brakes engaging (such cars for whatever reason do not disengage the brakes when reverse is engaged). Pretty sure you are going to enjoy better trailering now that the bolt has been removed !

[FrankSchwab]

Isn't that little bolt on the emergency brake cable supposed to be inside the housing of the trailer?

If not, then why is it there?

Yeah, it is; but mine was that way when I got it; no harm, no foul. If the E-clip that holds it inside the coupler falls off, it'll come out like that. Just don't yank on it.
/frank