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Random Quote: If you tell me it's gonna rain every day, one day you'll be right. Until then, you're a jackass in a rain coat on a sunny day.
Every once in a while when I hit reverse the brakes are still on and I have to place a block in the way to keep the surge brakes from working. When we got home my buddy said it might be that I need to move foward some after stopping to release the surge brakes before putting it in reverse. Does this sound correct as it makes sense to me?
I don't have a lever to lock them out and I don't have a hole to stick a pin so that why I use a block. It does have it does have the flow blocking solenoid which I hear click but sometimes when I back up the brakes are still locked and thats why I asked about pulling foward after I stop to release the preasure before hitting reverse.
Your Buddy may be right, that the solenoid is locking up pressure to the brakes. Give it a try to see if it solves the problem, 'cause that should be what you're doing anyway.
But, if you can get the block in place, and it keeps the brakes from actuating, that makes me think that maybe your solenoid is not blocking the pressure to the brakes as it should. Unless you're pulling forward to install the block.
Mark the actuator parts when fully extended and have someone watch to see whether or not the actuator is compressing when you back up.
Bill
Your Buddy may be right, that the solenoid is locking up pressure to the brakes. Give it a try to see if it solves the problem, 'cause that should be what you're doing anyway.
But, if you can get the block in place, and it keeps the brakes from actuating, that makes me think that maybe your solenoid is not blocking the pressure to the brakes as it should. Unless you're pulling forward to install the block.
Mark the actuator parts when fully extended and have someone watch to see whether or not the actuator is compressing when you back up.
Bill
He thought of this after we had disconnected the boat so I'll give it a try next time I have it hooked to the truck. I do pull foward to alllow room to slide the block into the actuator but I'm thinking I need to puul up to open it before I put it into reverse as that make good sense. I'm new to having a trailer with brakes and this only happens every once in a while so it seems the system is working I just need to open it up before hitting reverse.
You're buddy is correct, when you come to a stop before going into reverse, the surge brakes are applied. The lockout reverse solenoid, engages when you put the the vehicle in reverse, however the brakes already have pressure on them. My Titan Brakes owners manual even goes as far as saying you should wait 5 seconds after you put the tow vehicle in reverse before moving. If you creep forward just a bit, to release brake pressure, put the vehicle in reverse, and pause for a just a couple of seconds, you will not have any issues. After I park the trailer, I always creep forward a foot or two, which also seems to relieve all brake pressure during storage.
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-Scarab Sport Twin Merc 250
-GP1200 -WV1100 Waverunners
-A Bunch of Motorcycles
Previous posters and your buddy are correct. Just pull forward a bit to relieve the brake actuator pressure, before engaging the reverse actuator and it should work fine.
I thought about drilling a hole but I'm not sure whats behind any of that stuff. I just think it user issue and by pulling foward some should solve the problem. I do like the idea of installing a manual shut off. If I did add one how do you then bleed the brakes?
Interesting set up, I keep a C clamp in the truck, to use as an "all else fails" manual lock out, backing up device, I like the idea of having the manual lock out able to be used with the flip of a valve. I live in FL so backing up hills is not an issue, but I have wondered about it.....
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-Scarab Sport Twin Merc 250
-GP1200 -WV1100 Waverunners
-A Bunch of Motorcycles
You have the 2 port solenoid which blocks the brake line when the reverse lights come on. Your friend's right, because if you operate the solenoid with pressure in the line, the pressure will be trapped and the brakes will remain locked. As previously posted you can pull up to relieve the pressure before hitting reverse. If you live on a hill this will be impossible when heading downhill without chocking the trailer first. This also applies to a backing pin as the holes won't line up unless you pull forward to extend the actuator. There is a three port solenoid setup that was designed to avoid these problems. Instead of blocking the brake line it opens a bypass back to the master cylinder so pressure can't be trapped. The down side is if your actuator doesn't have a return port you have to drill and tap one into the reservoir for a fluid return. Good luck,
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Ed Panzella
"BAITS MOTEL"
2450 MAYCRAFT PILOTHOUSE
Higganum, Ct
You have the 2 port solenoid which blocks the brake line when the reverse lights come on. Your friend's right, because if you operate the solenoid with pressure in the line, the pressure will be trapped and the brakes will remain locked. As previously posted you can pull up to relieve the pressure before hitting reverse. If you live on a hill this will be impossible when heading downhill without chocking the trailer first. This also applies to a backing pin as the holes won't line up unless you pull forward to extend the actuator. There is a three port solenoid setup that was designed to avoid these problems. Instead of blocking the brake line it opens a bypass back to the master cylinder so pressure can't be trapped. The down side is if your actuator doesn't have a return port you have to drill and tap one into the reservoir for a fluid return. Good luck,
The above is the correct answer. The lock valves are a problem for two reasons, One is they will lock in pressure. Two is if you are backing up and hit a curb with the valve locked you will blow out the master cylinder. With the bypass valve there are no disadvantages.
Trailer Brake Question
I live in FL so backing up hills is not an issue, but I have wondered about it.....
