Trailer brakes

[Krazedkat]

Just bought a 2000 x22, While backing up trailer the brakes kept coming on. Would like to know if there is a part for the top of the actuator that stops the brakes from coming on while backing up?
If so where can i get it? I live in Canada. Lakes are still frozen here, but cant wait to get it on the lake.

[toyotafreak]

The quickest solution is to place a nut or socket in the slot indicated in the pic below. Use a little tape to hold it in place. The pin will slide back against the nut instead of the surge brake actuator.
Long-term, you'll want to run a five-prong plug to the trailer - the fifth line comes from your reverse lights and actuate a solenoid in the trailer that locks out the brake actuator.

[Lakeside]

See this thread for lots of info:

http://www.epicmarine.com/forum4/index.php?topic=259.0

Look into getting your tow vehicle wired for a five prong electrical plug.  U-Haul installed mine.  This is still the best investment I've made since owing the boat!

[eagle1wi]

I like the trailer harness switch-a-roo method posted by VillageIdiot, works great if you are using someone else's tow vehicle or yours isn't wired yet.

I have the bracket you are talking about, but I have a different method that I think is much easier.   I also have a 4-prong connector on my truck, but the trailer has a 5-prong connector...

When I need to back up, all I do is turn my headlights on, which sends power to the second prong on the harness.  I unplug the harness, then plug the 5th connector on the trailer into the second connector (first female connector) of the truck harness.

Maybe this makes more sense (forgive the crappy diagram):

Truck looks like this:
O I  I  I 
1 2 3 4

Trailer looks like this:
O I  I  I  I
1 2 3 4 5

Hook the truck's "2" into the trailer's "5".  As long as your headlights are on, it will trigger the trailer brakes to release, and you're golden to back up. 

That's what I do, anyway... it only takes a few seconds each time, then you don't have to worry about carrying (and losing) the little metal bracket.

[Lakeside]

Uh... that would be "owning" the boat. 

We used to be able to edit typos, any chance of getting back the ability to edit?

[epic_toy]

I've got a metal semi-circular piece that slips into that slot that Toyotafreak is pointing at. It is bent at 90 degrees with a hole on the other end where it is tied to a piece of bungee around the trailer tongue. I assumed every trailer had come with one? Haven't lost it for 4 years straight and it works great! Just have to remember to take it out or the brakes keep not working.

Just to be safe, I always unplug the electrical on the trailer just before backing down the ramp because I've blown fuses in the truck more than once from a wet trailer.

[ScarabEpic22]

I got so fed up with having to mess with the metal piece in the trailer that I bought a trailer brake controller and it unlocks the brakes when backing up.  This is the only reason I keep the electrical hooked up to the trailer and have never blown a fuse yet.