Do I Need To Install A Brake Controller To Activate Or Deactivate Surge Trailer Brakes In Reverse?
Question:
I have a 2008 Toyota Sequoia and just purchased a new boat trailer. The boat trailer is a tandem axle with disc brakes and surge controller trailer is manufactured by Axis Wake Research, branch of Malibu boats. I think the use the UFP actuator. My question is do I need to install a brake controller to activate the brakes when I am reversing down a long hill? In the past with my previous boat all the braking was coming from my SUV when backing down the hill since there was no pressure on the surge controller
asked by: Chris W
Expert Reply:
Great question. Let me cover brake activation first. If you wish to have active braking on a hydraulic system when backing up, you would need to have Electric over Hydraulic brakes and not a surge brake coupler. Surge brake couplers do not allow active braking when in reverse. To add the electric over hydraulic system, it will require a brake controller like # 39523 and an electric over hydraulic brake actuator like the HydraStar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes - 1,600 psi, # HS381-8067. I've attached a help article on this system.
Now to deactivate active braking with surge brake couplers, you do not need a brake controller at all. You will however need to have a trailer connection with reverse function if you have an electric lockout to deactivate/disengage your surge brakes. This requires either a 7-way connector or a 5-way flat connector at your vehicle to match your trailer connector. If there is a manual lockout, you can use that without changing any wiring.
If you have a factory 7-way, there is nothing you need to do. If you have the factory tow package, we will need to install the 7-way, # HM11143325, which is just plug and play.
If you have a 4-way flat connector, I recommend we install the Curt Adapter 4 Pole to 7 Pole and 4 Pole w/Test Lamps, # C57674. White will connect to ground, yellow will be the reverse light connection. The black (12V power) and the blue (Brake Controller) wires will not be used unless you decide you want to install a brake controller or want power to your trailer for other purposes. You will need to splice into the reverse wire behind your taillight. If you can't easily find it visually, you can use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to find it when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
If we need to convert a 4-way flat to a 5-way, we will use the Tow Ready 4 Pole to 5 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter, # 20036. The blue wire would be spliced into your reverse lights.
These are the two ways that we can disengage the surge brakes with the electric lockout to allow you backup your trailer. If there is no lockout on your trailer, I recommend we install one like # T4748800 and add the cover # T4835800183 to protect it.
Products Referenced in This Question
Tow Ready 4 Pole to 5 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Single-Function Adapter
- 0 - 5 Feet Long
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- 5 Flat
- Tow Ready
more information >
Adapter 4 Pole to 7 Pole and 4 Pole w/Test Lamps
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Multi-Function Adapter
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- CURT
more information >
Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way and 4-Flat Connectors
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- Hopkins
more information >
Hydrastar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes - 1,600 psi
- Brake Actuator
- Electric-Hydraulic Brake Actuator
- 1600 psi
- Disc Brakes
- Hydrastar
more information >
Replacement Solenoid Valve for Dexter Brake Actuators with Reverse Lockouts
- Accessories and Parts
- Brake Actuator
- Disc Brakes
- Hydraulic Drum Brakes
- Solenoid
- Valve
- Dexter
more information >
Solenoid Shield for Dexter Model 60 Trailer Brake Actuators - Zinc
- Accessories and Parts
- Brake Actuator
- Disc Brakes
- Hydraulic Drum Brakes
- Solenoid
- Shield
- Dexter
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha POD Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Time Delayed
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Time Delayed Controller
- Electric
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 2 Axles
- Indicator Lights
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
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