How to Stop Brakes From Engaging in Reverse on a Boat Trailer

Question:

When backing boat trailer up the brakes lock up unless I use a c clamp to keep the tongue from surging. Could the shock dampener be bad? It is a 20 year old boat trailer. Can you send directions on replacing it or any other possibilities?

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your boat trailer that has surge brakes that are locking up in reverse. This is a fairly common scenario that has an easy fix.

With surge brakes, you have a brake actuator applying the needed pressure to the brakes but to be able to back up you will need to have a manual lockout or an electric lockout solenoid, like # T4748800, which will close when you shift the vehicle into reverse, allowing the trailer to be backed up.

You may also need a solenoid cover like the Titan # T4835800183, depending on what brake actuator you currently have.

Feel free to send me a picture of your actuator and I can see which lock out solenoid you would need.

The other option is to switch to free-backing brake assemblies. But that also will depend on the size brakes your trailer requires. You would need to measure the brake assemblies you have and then check out the link I attached that has all of the free-backing plates we offer.

expert reply by: Timothy G