Installing Reverse Lockout Solenoid To Stop Brakes n Trailer When Going Downhill With Motorhome

Updated 07/03/2020 | Published 07/01/2020

Question:

I have hydraulic surge drum brakes on my boat trailer. I tow the trailer behind a diesel motorhome with an engine brake. The result is that the air brakes on the motorhome are used very little and the engine brakes is used when descending grades. When descending long grades the brakes on my trailer are activated and overheat. I need to be able to shut off the brakes when going down long grades. Fellow RVers have installed the backup solenoids to accomplish this. Do you know if the solenoid will hold up if energized for long periods of time? Using a relay I can wire it so when I hit the brakes on the motorhome it releases the solenoid so I have trailer brakes when using the motorhome brakes. Your thoughts?

asked by: Ted

Helpful Expert Reply:

The reverse lockout solenoids stop brake fluid from being released from the master cylinder and sent to the wheel cylinder. It does this by receiving an electric signal, usually from the reverse light circuit. That said, if you were to wire this into a circuit on the motorhome active when braking downhill then I do think it is entirely possibly to stop the brakes from being applied while going down hill. The reverse lockout solenoids are universal in design so you can use the Reverse Lockout Solenoid for Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuators part # DM11993. I am not aware of any issues with extended periods of use.

expert reply by: Conner L