Trick to open trailer brake-key slot

[sunbyrned]

I've often been in a position where I had to force reverse the trailer because the slot where the disengage key goes was not open enough and I'm on a downhill slope. I figured out a way to open it up though. Yesterday I was in that position and it dawned on me that I could just chock a trailer tire and then drive forward about an inch. It worked perfectly. Not rocket science but it took three years to figure it out. Ha! I have a pic of the key just to show what I'm referring to.

 

[Cleveland Steamer]

I can't tell you how frustrating it was when I'd try to back the boat up a slight hill and when I'd try to put this key and it would just fall out. I ordered the below magnet off Amazon for $7.00. I am now able to put the key in place and put the magnet over it and it holds it perfectly. When the boat is in place I remove the magnet, remove the key and then stick the magnet on the side of the tongue.

CMS MAGNETICS Bar Neodymium Magnet 3" x1/2" x1/4" - Rare Earth Rectangle Magnet for Craftings, School Projects and Magnetic Therapy, One Pack: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[sunbyrned]

I can't tell you how frustrating it was when I'd try to back the boat up a slight hill and when I'd try to put this key and it would just fall out. I ordered the below magnet off Amazon for $7.00. I am now able to put the key in place and put the magnet over it and it holds it perfectly. When the boat is in place I remove the magnet, remove the key and then stick the magnet on the side of the tongue.

CMS MAGNETICS Bar Neodymium Magnet 3" x1/2" x1/4" - Rare Earth Rectangle Magnet for Craftings, School Projects and Magnetic Therapy, One Pack: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

That's a great suggestion! Thank you. I'm ordering one right now. The zip ties are not perfect for sure.

 

[AmesJainchill]

The zip ties are not perfect for sure.

Nor is the saran wrap from the dealer! ?
Ordered!

 

[JetBoatPenguin]

Can you show a pic of the magnet in place?

 

[Recoveringfiberglassaddic]

MAGNETIC LOCK OUT KEY FOR UFP TYPE TRAILER SURGE BRAKES BACK UP BUDDY | eBay

"Back up Buddy" Replaces silver factory keys as seen in pic's PN#34557 and only fits. UFP. type surge brake actuators A-60, A-70, A-75, A-84. With “Back up Buddy” these problems are over. Back up Buddy" work's great and very easy to use.

www.ebay.com

I keep these in the forklift at work for moving boats and always keep one in my truck door. They are so worth it.

Tab is welded to magnet, and I believe its powder coated. Only seen 1 break and it was from abuse and misuse.

 

[JetBoatPenguin]

Thanks just bought one.

 

[Recoveringfiberglassaddic]

Just dont toss it from the truck to your buddy if hes got bad hands. If they hit the ground hard enough it shatters the earth magnets, but magnets are brittle and not meant to be subjected to that kind of abuse.

 

[Evil Sports]

Ordered, thanks

 

[JTPain]

Wanted something more foolproof and was tired of messing with that key.
Drilled a couple of holes to slide a screwdriver through.
I slide it in well before I need to back up.

 

[Julian]

Why dont you have a wiring harness that disengages the brakes?

 

[sunbyrned]

Dang...I meant to “like” @JTPain’s post. This is the second time I did that. They need to build in an edit option for the emojis.

 

[sunbyrned]

Why dont you have a wiring harness that disengages the brakes?

That would be great if I knew I could do that. I have an adapter right now. The trailer is 4 pins I believe and the truck has 7. What do I need to do to disengage with a wiring harness?

 

[Julian]

That would be great if I knew I could do that. I have an adapter right now. The trailer is 4 pins I believe and the truck has 7. What do I need to do to disengage with a wiring harness?

It should work stock....the trailer should have 4 pins in one direction and 1 in the other. One of those pins connects to the reverse lights on the tow vehicle. When the vehicle is in reverse it engages a solenoid on the trailer that disables the brakes.

 

[sunbyrned]

I have that set up but my wheels definitely lock up without the key. Good to know the potential is there though. I will do some troubleshooting and see what I can figure out. Thanks!

 

[Julian]

Dang...I meant to “like” @JTPain’s post. This is the second time I did that. They need to build in an edit option for the emojis.

You should be able to edit your "reaction" (like etc) to a post. Just click on it again and change your selection.

 

[sunbyrned]

Beautiful! I just tested it and that works perfectly.

 

[Julian]

I have that set up but my wheels definitely lock up without the key. Good to know the potential is there though. I will do some troubleshooting and see what I can figure out. Thanks!

I wonder if the tow vehicle harness reverse light hookup is missing?
You can test the trailer solenoid if you had a flat to flat connection by just connection the trailer end pin (blue wire) to the 2nd pin (brown wire) on the tow vehicle and turning the tow vehicle lights on. See this link for help:

Troubleshooting 4 and 5-Way Wiring Installations | etrailer.com

It can be frustrating when your wiring isn't working, especially when you are not sure where to begin troubleshooting. Our guidelines will help you narrow down and repair the most common causes of issues during 4 and 5-Way wiring installations. Use the outlined testing methods to determine...

www.etrailer.com

 

[sunbyrned]

Nice! This is very helpful. It gives me a good place to start. Thanks! I’ll let you know what I find out.

 

[JTPain]

I have an older F150 and it won't disengage the solenoid with stock wiring.
On my wife's Jeep Commander it works just fine.
I'm better at drilling holes than electrical work. lol