View Full Version : F 150 (new) and Surge Brakes
jeffster
03-16-2002, 08:44 PM
I need some Help?
I just picked up my new F150 with a trailer package on it, today
I hooked my boat trailer (2001 lund 1800 Pro-V with a trailmaster trailer)to the new truck. I bought the 7 to 5 wire harness and when
I went to back up the brakes would not release. In the glove box I
found a package of fuses or relays and it looks like 1 of them is for
backing up. The info that was in the package said it goes in the box
under the hood on the drivers side. Does anybody know if this is my
problem.
thanks in advance
jeffster
jeffster
03-16-2002, 08:44 PM
I need some Help?
I just picked up my new F150 with a trailer package on it, today
I hooked my boat trailer (2001 lund 1800 Pro-V with a trailmaster trailer)to the new truck. I bought the 7 to 5 wire harness and when
I went to back up the brakes would not release. In the glove box I
found a package of fuses or relays and it looks like 1 of them is for
backing up. The info that was in the package said it goes in the box
under the hood on the drivers side. Does anybody know if this is my
problem.
thanks in advance
jeffster
Hangman
03-16-2002, 11:46 PM
If you have surge brakes on that trailer, your electical system has nothing to do with it. The brakes are activated by the weight of your trailer pushing on your towing vehicle when you brake. Some trailers have a release of some kind to lock out the brakes for backing up.
Hangman
03-16-2002, 11:46 PM
If you have surge brakes on that trailer, your electical system has nothing to do with it. The brakes are activated by the weight of your trailer pushing on your towing vehicle when you brake. Some trailers have a release of some kind to lock out the brakes for backing up.
maybe
03-17-2002, 12:06 AM
Were you backing up an incline when this happened?
maybe
03-17-2002, 12:06 AM
Were you backing up an incline when this happened?
Jeffster, Im no expert, but I would take it to dealer. Theres a separte wire connected to my brake lights I have to plug in to release the brakes when you back up. 15 minute job for dealer.
Jeffster, Im no expert, but I would take it to dealer. Theres a separte wire connected to my brake lights I have to plug in to release the brakes when you back up. 15 minute job for dealer.
fishhunter
03-17-2002, 07:38 AM
there should be a cable emergency brake on the hitch is that pulled out
jeffster
03-17-2002, 03:39 PM
Last year I towed it with a Grand Cherekee and had no problems
with a 5 wire harness, I picked up my new truck last wed. The
new truck came with a round 7 wire harness and 4 pin harness. so
I went and bought a 7 to 5 wire harness .I need 5 wire to release the brakes when I back up. I have to take it in on tues. (to the dealer) for it to get undercoated I will ask them but I thought somebody here mite have had the same problem.
thanks
jeffster
GR8WTHUNTER
03-17-2002, 11:10 PM
Had some thing similar happen to me last year. I was t-boned onthe way home from work with the buddies waiting at my place to leave for a long weekend trip. After I found out it was my fault the girl ran a red light, uh, thats another story, well my truck wasn't making the trip. When we hooked up to my buddies new (used)Chevy we couldn't back up. Switched trucks again and it worked again. Later the problem was found. The 7 pin was wired wrong on the chevy. Worked fine with 2 wires switched. Another note is that his truck dad been wired for electric brakes. good luck
jeffster,
Thats exactly your problem. If you place that one square fuse or chip in the spot mentioned it will solve your problems. I've had this or have heard of this with 4 of my friends. Each had the same problem, each just placed that fuse in and each time it was solved.
Bugtussle
03-18-2002, 05:31 PM
I am still confused. What does this fuse have to do with surge brakes? I thought that they operated without any elctrical connection from the tow vehicle.
BlackSilver
03-18-2002, 06:17 PM
The key phrase is "when I went to back up" -- if you try to push backwards on surge brakes (which oughta be outlawed) they lock up. To overcome that problem, there is an electrical "unlatch" which is triggered by the backup lights on your truck, accounted for the need for a 5 pin (not 4 pin) electrical hookup.
Next time buy a trailer with electrical brakes. I thought surge brakes were illegal.
SET the hook!!!
Hans/MN
jeffster
03-18-2002, 06:52 PM
thanks guys for the info.
I called the Ford dealer today and they said
that the relay that came in the package that was in my truck just needs to be
put in. I have to take it in this week for something else and they will take care of it for me. I don't know why it wasn't in there to
begin with?
Hans take it easy about the surge brakes. When will u be up at Lake Vermilion this year?
good luck to all
thanks again
jeffster
BlackSilver
03-18-2002, 07:09 PM
>Hans take it easy about the surge brakes.
OK, I'll be nice (but I hate surge brakes!)
> When will u be up at Lake Vermilion this year?
Opening week, and as many times as possible after that! Retired last summer and bought an RV, so don't tell the walleyes!
SET THE HOOK!
Hans/MN
Indiana Lou
03-18-2002, 08:03 PM
Hans, Don't mean to butt in to your conversation but was curious to know what type of RV you are using to tow with, and how big of a boat. I'm almost in your predicament. I'm getting close to retirement and am interested in purchasing an RV and making up for lost fishing time after all those years.Any suggestions, recommendations would be deeply appreciated. Thanks in advance and dog gone envious too!!! Lou
jeffster
03-18-2002, 09:01 PM
Hans
I will be up at White Eagle from July 6 thru the 13 and maybe again
in the fall. Will you be up in july and how about this fall.
I had a great time last sept. 8 thru 15. Mike said you where there
just before I got there. My be I will see u up there this year.
thanks
jeffster
BlackSilver
03-18-2002, 09:15 PM
I'm pulling a 28' 'Cougar' 5th wheel RV, and behind that a 16.5' Smoker Pro Mag 161. For 'double bottom' towing Minnesota law limits you to a 5th wheel, no longer than 28', and full rig length 70'. Started pulling it with a 2001 Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L, 3.73 locker rear. Has plenty of power for flatland towing, but get dicey going down mountains (I only tow the boat in Minn). I'm upgrading the truck to a Silverado 2500 LT 8.1L with the Allison transmission. I have electric brakes on both the RV and the boat trailer.
SET the hook!!!
Hans/MN
BlackSilver
03-19-2002, 07:23 AM
I'll be up several scattered weeks this summer, but have an RV now so won't be staying in cabin. Hopefully Mike will give me a good deal on parking spot. Mike and Bonnie will be at the Mpls Sportshow next week. I'll probably help them out in the booth a little, so drop in and check -- like to meet you. Enjoy the new truck.
SET the hook!!!
Hans/MN
CarpetBagger
03-19-2002, 08:29 AM
Surge breaks are the only way to go in my opinion. 1st think you gota know about surge breaks is that if you power back your goin to lock up. If you go in reverse on a steep incline your goin to lock up. Now there is a space on the trailer where u can slide a piece of metal through if u wish for the breaks not to come on while you back up. You might wana give that a try. Other than a few times when we 1st owned the boat we have not had any problems with the surges at all, personally i like them.
CB