Disc Brake Discussion
Many trailers come with disc brakes as
standard equipment. This system is designed to brake in both forward and
reverse, therefore the brakes must be disengaged to back up.
IMPORTANT: To properly operate this system the tow vehicle MUST be equipped
with a matching 5-prong trunk harness to power the solenoid.
How the Solenoid Lockout Works
The disc brake actuator has a lockout solenoid that is activated by the tow
vehicle’s back-up lights. When the vehicle is put in reverse the solenoid
redirects the brake fluid back into the actuator reservoir rather than applying
pressure to the brakes. Then, when the tow vehicle is put into park, neutral or
a forward gear the solenoid returns to its original position allowing the
brakes to function normally during travel.
Alternatives to the 5-Prong Harness
As stated above, the best way to operate the solenoid is with a 5-prong wire
harness on the tow vehicle that matches the wire harness plug of the trailer.
This allows the solenoid to be plugged in at the same time the trailer lights
are connected for towing. If a 5-prong harness is not available there are a
number of short-term fixes that will allow you to use the trailer.
UFP Actuator Lockout Key
UFP actuators are shipped with a lockout key attached to the side of the
actuator on a short cable. The round end of the key is simply inserted in the
slot on the side of the actuator. When the key is in the slot the trailer can
be backed without the brakes engaging. When the trailer is moved forward the
key will fall out of the slot. The key fits very loosely to insure that it will
not remain in the slot after backing. Leaving the lockout key in the slot would
disable the brake system during normal use, which could result in a serious
accident.
Adding a 5th Wire and Plug
A separate wire and plug can be wired into the tow vehicle back-up lights that
can be plugged into the fifth wire of the trailer harness. The solenoid will
work as described above, however this new wire will have to be plugged into the
trailer harness separately.
Using a 4-prong Plug
If the tow vehicle is equipped with a 4-prong plug, the trailer can still be
moved using the solenoid to lock out the brakes. Though not ideal, this is
acceptable for backing trailers in either a storage yard or a shop environment
where the tow vehicle is not the normal vehicle that will be used with the
trailer.
Before backing, simply unplug the trailer’s 5-prong harness from the tow
vehicles 4-prong trunk harness. Turn the harness 90 degrees and plug the blue
wire on the 5-prong harness into the brown wire on the 4-prong harness. To
activate the solenoid, turn on the tow vehicle’s lights. The power for
operating the running lights will operate the solenoid disengaging the brakes
so the trailer can be backed up. DO NOT attempt to travel or use a boat
trailer when wired as described in this paragraph. This is a “workaround” in
the event you are unable to back up a trailer.
UFP actuator with lockout key
Turn plug to connect the blue wire to the brown wire as described above.
Tire Wear Diagnosis
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Tire inflation pressure is one of the most important factors in tire life. Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer for the load. Please check the side wall of you tire for the correct PSI ratings. Pressure should always be checked cold before operation. Check inflation pressure weekly during use to insure maximum tire life and monitor tread wear. Goodyear United States - (800) 859-3028 Goodyear Canada - (800) 387-3288 Duro - (800) 966-8473 Titan - (800) 251-9354 Maxxis/Tredit - (888) 306-3039 Denman/Tredit - (888) 306-3039 Tire Wear Guide The following Tire Wear Guide will help you
identify the causes and solutions of most common tire wear patterns. Tire Wear Guide |
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Wear Pattern |
Cause |
Solution |
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Center Wear |
Over Inflation |
Adjust pressure to
particular load per tire catalog |
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Edge Wear |
Under Inflation |
Adjust pressure to
particular load per tire catalog |
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Side Wear |
Loss of camber or
overloading |
Make sure load doesn't
exceed axle rating. Correction is 3/4 - 1 degree positive camber (top of
wheel rim 3/16" further out than bottom. |
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Toe Wear |
Incorrect toe-in |
Correct toe-in is 0 -
1/2 degree. |
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Cupping |
Out-of-balance |
Check bearing
adjustment and balance tires. |
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Flat Spots |
Wheel lockup &
tire skidding |
Avoid sudden stops
when possible and adjust brakes. |
Tire
wear should be checked frequently because once a wear pattern becomes firmly
established it is difficult to stop, even if the underlying cause is corrected.
NOTE: If your trailer's tires show any unusual signs of wear, contact the tire
manufacturer or a tire dealer for recommended corrective procedure. For tire
warranty issues, please contact the tire manufacturer listed above.
Trailer
Storage and Maintenance
To get the most out of boating you have to get the most out
of your trailer. That's why it's important to follow these tips for maintaining
your trailer.
1. Keep it Clean
Be sure to rinse your
trailer thoroughly after each use. If you own a painted trailer, use a good car
wax to help protect the finish. Your dealer should be able to provide touch-up
paint for repairing minor rock damage. If you do your boating in saltwater, you
should choose either a galvanized or aluminum trailer. Washing with soap and
water is all that is required to maintain the trailer frame.
2. Check and pack
wheel bearings once a year, preferably at the end of your boating season in
order to prevent storing your trailer with contaminates in the bearing cavity. During
this inspection, you can decide if repacking the bearings and/or replacing them
is necessary – many people repack their bearings once a year, we recommend
changing them because it takes a few minutes longer and the cost is minimal. It’s
a good insurance against being stuck on the side of the road some day. Any good
marine-grade grease will do. If you do not get an Owner’s Guide with your
trailer, get information on packing your bearings here: http://www.boattraileroutlet.com/pages/boattrailerinfo.htm.
3. Check the coupler
for any unusual wear or damage. It is also important to keep the coupler clean
and lubricated with a light coat of grease in the ball cavity.
4. Regularly check
all nuts and bolts to see that they are tight.
5. On roller trailers,
keep all rollers clean.
6. Regularly check your
tires for unusual wear. Check out our tire wear troubleshooting guide above.
