SabrToothSqrl
Well-known member
So, I have an issue, but admit I didn't test the truck last few times.
Background:
I rent a 2500 or 3500 Pickup from Enterprise 2x a year to move my 10k boat to/from marina, so it can come home and be inside all winter.
It works well, as it's $150ish to rent a pickup for the literal 2x a year I need one. (Much cheaper than daily driving a big truck).
My trailer has surge disc brakes, with brand new calipers, pads, and brake actuator.
http://formulaboatsforum.com/VBFORUM/showthread.php?10763-Summer-Trailer-Fixes
the brake actuator has a 12v lockout, so when the truck is in reverse, it should prevent brake fluid from being able to be pushed to the calipers.
The problem
I'm running into is, my driveway is rather steep, and I have to reverse up it. However the road to my house is also steep and I have to come to a stop downhill, before then immediately reversing into my driveway.
At first I thought it was the rental truck's 7 PIN not correctly energizing Reverse (because I wired the trailer one my self, and know it's 100% correct). However I've not had the time to verify the truck side, since each time I get a different truck, and the goal is to get on the water, not troubleshoot their truck.
They are usually brand new RAM or Fords with < 10,000 miles on them.
So, now I'm thinking that because the road to my house is downhill, and I have to come to a fairly hard stop, the brakes are already being used hard. Even if the Reverse lock out engages, the brakes are now just locked on. I don't think it's a 1 way valve, it's a on/off. So it just locks the brakes ON?!
I've had to use 4-low the last several times to get up the driveway, with the truck pushing 10k + 4 locked wheels (they spin, they just don't like it) (4 low is awesome).
The Plan
Thinking of bridging a wire (plus switch) from the 'lights' power on the trailer, to the reverse lock out.
This, when 'on' would lock out the brakes anytime the trailer lights are ON. (and normal operation when off).
The brakes work well, but fight me hard uphill.
So, I'd head home with the switch off and trailer lights on for safety.
About 1 mile from the house on flat land, I pull over and turn the switch 'on'. and trailer lights ON. This locks out the reverse, after I come to a stop, then bump it forward a few feet, then gently coast to a stop.
So, at this point, I have lights on, trailer brakes locked out. and head to the house with truck only brakes for the 1 mile at 20 MPH. But, then I can 100x more easily backup the driveway...
that or I do nothing and just keep using 4 low and burning up the brakes?
anyone else have this issue? if the road hill was the opposite way, I think the situation wouldn't exist at all. I'd be facing uphill, come to a stop, and the brake actuator would be extended forwards, then locked out when putting truck in R.
And no, I Can't come up the hill, because of other issues.
My previous boat trailer actually had electric brakes, and that was nice... no brakes unless you pushed the brake pedal.
thanks
I considered using the '12v Aux' from the truck, which should be there, but not guaranteed, and by using the lights power, if I turn the lights off, it unlocks the relay. thus giving me control from the vehicle.
Background:
I rent a 2500 or 3500 Pickup from Enterprise 2x a year to move my 10k boat to/from marina, so it can come home and be inside all winter.
It works well, as it's $150ish to rent a pickup for the literal 2x a year I need one. (Much cheaper than daily driving a big truck).
My trailer has surge disc brakes, with brand new calipers, pads, and brake actuator.
http://formulaboatsforum.com/VBFORUM/showthread.php?10763-Summer-Trailer-Fixes
the brake actuator has a 12v lockout, so when the truck is in reverse, it should prevent brake fluid from being able to be pushed to the calipers.
The problem
I'm running into is, my driveway is rather steep, and I have to reverse up it. However the road to my house is also steep and I have to come to a stop downhill, before then immediately reversing into my driveway.
At first I thought it was the rental truck's 7 PIN not correctly energizing Reverse (because I wired the trailer one my self, and know it's 100% correct). However I've not had the time to verify the truck side, since each time I get a different truck, and the goal is to get on the water, not troubleshoot their truck.
They are usually brand new RAM or Fords with < 10,000 miles on them.
So, now I'm thinking that because the road to my house is downhill, and I have to come to a fairly hard stop, the brakes are already being used hard. Even if the Reverse lock out engages, the brakes are now just locked on. I don't think it's a 1 way valve, it's a on/off. So it just locks the brakes ON?!
I've had to use 4-low the last several times to get up the driveway, with the truck pushing 10k + 4 locked wheels (they spin, they just don't like it) (4 low is awesome).
The Plan
Thinking of bridging a wire (plus switch) from the 'lights' power on the trailer, to the reverse lock out.
This, when 'on' would lock out the brakes anytime the trailer lights are ON. (and normal operation when off).
The brakes work well, but fight me hard uphill.
So, I'd head home with the switch off and trailer lights on for safety.
About 1 mile from the house on flat land, I pull over and turn the switch 'on'. and trailer lights ON. This locks out the reverse, after I come to a stop, then bump it forward a few feet, then gently coast to a stop.
So, at this point, I have lights on, trailer brakes locked out. and head to the house with truck only brakes for the 1 mile at 20 MPH. But, then I can 100x more easily backup the driveway...
that or I do nothing and just keep using 4 low and burning up the brakes?
anyone else have this issue? if the road hill was the opposite way, I think the situation wouldn't exist at all. I'd be facing uphill, come to a stop, and the brake actuator would be extended forwards, then locked out when putting truck in R.
And no, I Can't come up the hill, because of other issues.
My previous boat trailer actually had electric brakes, and that was nice... no brakes unless you pushed the brake pedal.
thanks
I considered using the '12v Aux' from the truck, which should be there, but not guaranteed, and by using the lights power, if I turn the lights off, it unlocks the relay. thus giving me control from the vehicle.
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