How to Connect a Surge Brake Actuator to Activate the Reverse Lockout Function

Published 06/09/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Tow Ready 4 Pole to 5 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter

(262)

$21.84

16 Gauge Primary Wire - White - Per Foot

(61)

$0.72

Deka Ring Terminal - Heat Shrink - 16-14 Gauge - 1/4" Ring ID - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 1

(41)

$2.21

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 16-14 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 10

(1104)

$13.84

Hopkins Endurance 5-Way Flat Trailer Connector - Trailer End - Ergonomic Design

(90)

$13.30

Pollak 5-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Connector - Chrome - Trailer End

(147)

$19.29

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

I appreciate your response. The problem is my truck has the round 5 plug connector. The boat trailer has a flat 4 plug connector. What can I do for this?

asked by: Ron T

Expert Reply:

There are 2 wires that are coming out of the actuator in the Titan Disc Brake Kit # T4843300. You will want to connect one to the 5-Pole connector on your trailer and ground the other one using a Ring Terminal # DW05737-1; it doesn't matter which wire is used for which purpose.

If you only have a 4-Pole connector on your trailer then I recommend using the Hopkins Endurance 5-Way Flat Trailer Connector # HM47910 instead. You will want to cut off your current 4-Pole and use Butt Connectors # DW05744-10 for solid connection points. If you need any additional wiring you can order it by the foot with part # DW02359-1. I have attached a video of this connector being installed on a trailer that already had a 4-Pole installed on it.

If your tow vehicle only has a 4-Pole then you will want to use Tow Ready 4 Pole to 5 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter # 20036 along with one of the previously mentioned butt connectors to add the 5th function for the reverse lockout. You will want to splice the Blue wire into the reverse signal on your tow vehicle since you want the lockout to activate when you put your vehicle in reverse. You can use a Circuit Tester # ALL640595 to do so.

expert reply by: Jon G

click to enlarge

Ron T.

6/9/2017

I appreciate your response. The problem is my truck has the round 5 plug connector. The boat trailer has a flat 4 plug connector. What can I do for this?

Jon G.

6/9/2017

If that is the case then what you can do is cut off the current 4-Pole connector on your trailer and use the Pollak 5-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Connector # PK11501. You can run the wire to the actuator using the same 16 Gauge Wire # DW02359-1 that I previously mentioned and securing it with the Butt Connectors # DW05744-10 as well. To ensure that you the 5-Pole round connector on both your vehicle and trailer are synced up correctly I recommend using the Circuit Tester # PTW2993. You can test the different functions on your tow vehicle side and configure the pins on the trailer connector to be the same. You will want to make sure that the 5th function on your tow vehicle side is activated only when putting your vehicle in reverse since that is the only time you want the lockout to be activated on the surge brake actuator.