Backing-up a 2003 MC trailer.....

[Jerseydave]

My trailer has a 5-wire plug because of the backup lights.

I would prefer to unplug the lights to launch the boat, however the trailer brakes will not release unless I'm plugged in.

My question is: How can I override-this so that I can leave the trailer unplugged before I back into the water?
I also want to use my motorhome to tow the boat, which does not have a 5-wire plug (yet).

There must be a way to do this, in case the elec. circuit malfunctions.

[Tom023]

There is a little gizmo that UFP has to lock out the mechanism but honestly is does not work well. You can also put the backup light circuit on the connector onto the post for the the running lights, then turn on your vehicle lights and it will energize the lock out solenoid. Honestly, with sealed lights, there really is no reason to unplug them.

[maristarman]

I've got a 2001 so I don't know if its the same on an 03.

I got a little metal clip (from the dealer) that you insert into the side on the neck of the trailer which keeps the neck from moving back and activating the surge brakes.

I needed it cuz my 01 Supercrew wasn't factory wired with the backup lights into the trailer plug, so that was the only way I could back up the trailer using my truck.

[jamisonsbrodie]

Why do you want to unhook it before launching? any electrical problem would be protected by the fuse. If you really want to back up without your lights hooked up, unhook the 5-pin, and just plug the brake terminal(blue wire) on the trailer harness into the brown terminal (running lights) on the truck harness, then turn your headlights on. This should disengage your brakes.

[rodltg2]

yeah, why do you want to disconnect. i have never had a problem with water on the electrical .

[Diesel]

I have used a 1/2 (size will vary depending upon brand) socket to keep the brakes from engaging in a pinch. Once you pull forward it will fall out though...............

BTW why unhook??

You could also just split out the brake acctuator and ground from the 5 way. This was how our old bass boat was wired before Wesbar invented the 5 flat. You had the standard 4 flat then a two pole plug (ground and reverse light) only for the brake lockout. This way you could easily unhook the trailer lights and leave the brakes hooked up.

[Leroy]

I've also never unhooked since 2001 and never had a problem.


You could wire another 5 pin plug in parallel with only the backup lights wired in or just have that extra plug connect onto the boat battery for your motorhome towing.

[Jerseydave]

yeah, why do you want to disconnect. i have never had a problem with water on the electrical .

Every boating magazine I've ever read says to unplug your lights before launching your boat, hot bulbs in cold water don't like each other.
I know the lights are sealed, so I guess that advice is old school.
The MC manual even says "be sure to unplug the lights each time before backing into the water."

But 2 paragraphs before that it says "always have your light plug hooked up when backing your trailer. disc brakes will not release without the special connector wired to your back-up lights on your tow vehicle."

My motorhome only has a flat-4 plug, so I guess I should change it to a flat-5 type.

Thanks for the advice, guys!

[djhuff]

There should be a flat metal piece on the Port side of the tounge that when the actuator is fully extended will pull out and up and latch on the trailer that will keep the ball from pushing back into the trailer and applying the brakes. This only works for a short period and as soon as you pull forward, the latch falls back down.