Troubleshooting Surge Brakes On 2018 Nitro Boat Trailer Only Working With Electrical Disconnected

Published 07/18/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Replacement Solenoid Valve for Dexter Brake Actuators with Reverse Lockouts

(272)

$75.91

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(66)

$13.43

Question:

My 2018 nitro boat trailer breaks or not working. When I have it hooked to truck going down road and touch breaks can feel boat moving forward against ball but works when light plug is not hooked to truck it will not back up because break at working. But will not apply if hooked to truck with light plugged up like it don’t have breaks can fell it serging forward and backward and can fell it moving

asked by: Sidney M

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your 2018 Nitro Boat Trailer has a Electric Actuator # T4748800 and there is likely a short sending power to it when you connect to the trailer electrical. This would explain why the brakes don't work with electrical connected, but do work when the electrical is left unplugged. You can verify this by checking for power on the actuator using a Test Light # PTW2993. You will then need to check the trailer wiring(see linked help article below) to determine where the issues lies in either the trailer wiring or the trailer connector.

expert reply by: Bud M