Hello all, we recently bought a new (to us) SeaRay boat so that we can enjoy our 2015 even more! However I am having an issue with the surge brakes on the trailer activating when trying to back up to the ramp, so I have to maneuver to get the trailer surge lock out key in and get to where we can back down the ramp. We have to get it moving enough so the key will go in but then when we stop it activates the surge brake again and the key then won't go in. It's a pain unless it's all downhill. Someone said it could be a couple of issues, none of which I have had time to check yet since getting it out of the water yesterday. One suggested that Ford didn't always put in the trailer brake fuse to lock out the brakes and another said it had to do with the wiring plug. I believe the trailer had the four pin and our truck has the five pin and seven pin plugs in the bumper so we bought a seven pin adapter plug. All of the lights do work and the truck recognizes the trailer with the adapter plug. Any experience/suggestions with this particular issue?

 

change display to elec/over hydraulic....
may work better....


as I re read....forget the above...lol....
truck only has 4 pin/7pin plug....
I'm thinking surge uses no electrical so lights should work no problem ...maybe the surge assembly needs adjustment on trailer tongue

 

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/traile...-fuses-382740/

 

I have a 2015 also and my boat trailer which is a 2010 model has surge breaks and I've never had an issue with this backing up an incline or backing up in general. I did a little research and found this explanation on a boat forum. Hope it helps.

"they actually 'work' by the back up lamps on your vehicle. your back up lamps come on, as if you were backing up, the brakes are disengaged. the pin is a manual override, for like a tractor moving your boat in the yard or such. if the brakes are engaging while you have the wiring harness plugged in, then there is a connection or wiring issue with the harness"

"Surge brakes can be either drum or disc. The drum brakes will not engage when backing up due to their design, so you must have disc brakes. As stated above, you need the lock out solenoid installed in the brake line and connected to your back up light circuit, or you have to insert a pin in the actuator at the tongue to prevent the piston from applying pressure to the brakes. The best, and most convenient in my opinion is the solenoid. When the back up lights come on in reverse, the solenoid is energized and reroutes the brake fluid back into the reservoir rather than allowing the brakes to be actuated. Your trailer manufacturer or any trailer store can help with the solenoid route."

 

Surge brakes have nothing to do with the wiring on your truck. If you are backing down hill and the trailer brakes are on them there is a problem with the trailers brakes and need to be checked out.
Surge brakes are applied by the weight of the boat and trailer pushing forward against a master cylinder in the coupler which applies hydraulic pressure to the brakes.

 

Notice he said its a pain unless its all down hill which means hes having problems on flat ground or slight inclines.

Also see the definition below:

“Free Backing” brake assemblies on the axle allow the brakes to disengage only in reverse. This is the most common method. Use an electric solenoid valve that allows the brake fluid to bypass back to the reservoir while in reverse. The electric valve is wired to the reverse lights on the tow vehicle

 

There for sure is some type of override that recognizes the back up lights, so I am not sure how at least a part of the problem couldn't be electrical. I guess I will be heading to the trailer store to have them check it out, I just didn't want to go and it be something stupid. Thanks.

 

Correct, the brakes do not apply if backing down hill.

 

4 pin plug on the trailer will not have a lockout solenoid. Backing up hill will apply the brakes, if they are applying on level ground there is a problem with the trailer brakes or OP is backing REALLY fast. Sounds like the coupler either isn't moving freely or the brakes aren't fully releasing on the trailer.

 

Let me check tonight when I get home, I think I have it wrong, maybe it's a 4 and 7 pin on the truck and I have a 5 pin on the boat trailer. I had a feeling when I was typing the original post I had it backwards but I will double check tonight. But I can guarantee you, not backing up really fast however even on level ground it does make sense because the truck is pushing against the trailer hence the brakes activating. If the ground is COMPLETELY flat it generally won't do it but sometimes will. I still think it's not the trailer and something to do with the electrical/wiring on the truck not overriding the trailer correctly. The brakes work great all other times but backing up.