Electric Reverse Lockout is Not Working on a Boat Trailer

Updated 04/23/2012 | Published 04/21/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins Wiring Harness with 5-Pole Flat Trailer Connector - Vehicle End - 5' Long

(17)

$10.16

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(72)

$13.14

Replacement Solenoid Valve for Dexter Brake Actuators with Reverse Lockouts

(283)

$86.93

Question:

I bought a connector for towing a boat with a 5 way plug. That connects into the 7 way plug but I still cannot reverse the trailer the trailer lockout is still engaged. How do I fix this problem.

asked by: Ben

Expert Reply:

First, make sure that your trailer has an electric reverse lockout, and that the 5th wire is connected to it and not something else. Then, on the vehicle side, check that the center pin wire is connected to a reverse light circuit behind one of the taillights on the vehicle.

You can use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 if needed to make sure the center pin provides power when the vehicle is put in reverse. Then plug in the adapter you have and make sure that the pin that corresponds to the reverse lockout solenoid on the trailer has power when the vehicle is in reverse.

Then you can plug in the trailer and make sure the power is getting through along the wire that leads to the solenoid. If you get power all the way back to that point and the reverse lockout is still not working properly, that would indicate to me that the lockout solenoid is bad, and you need to replace it.

We currently have a replacement solenoid, # T4748800. It fits Model 6, Model 60, Aero 7500, and newer Model 10 and Model 20 actuators.

expert reply by: Michael H