Originally Posted by
R19
If you think your having brake issues you can disable them. Boat trailers operate on a brake surge system. At the tongue of the trailer look for a slot that is typically half moon shape. Often times there will be a plug/key/whatever its called hanging on a steel cable near the slot. When that key/plug/whatever its called is inserted into the slot this prevents the trailer from surging forward and compressing the actuator...basically disables the brakes.
That key/tab/whatever its called is intended for temporary use when backing up an incline. If your going to use it for a more permeant disable of the brakes you will need to use tape, zip tie or some other means to ensure it stays in the slot while towing.
On drum brake system you have to have what I described above to back your trailer up an incline. If you have disc brakes you have a extra wire that's connected to you reverse lights. This wire becomes hot and actuates a solenoid that does the same function as the key/plug/whatever its called. All surge brakes have some way of being disabled because when you back a trailer up an incline backwards the breaks will lock up due to the weight of the trailer being shoved towards the truck, thus compressing the actuator to apply the brakes.
A little unknow FYI that most people don't think about... with boat trailers being surge breaks you have ZERO boat trailer brakes going backwards down a ramp. Going backwards up an incline they will lock up because the weight of the boat will compress/actuate the brakes ,however when going down an incline there is no movement of the boat towards the truck to activate the breaks.