I went to tow a boat a few weeks back and noticed it had a 5-pin flat connector and I only have a 4-pin. Now I don't have a controller or anything, but plugging it in still worked fine. The trailer had surge brakes and i only had an issue once backing up. I read somewhere that with a surge brake trailer, the 5th pin is spliced into your reverse lights so that it deactivates the brakes when in reverse. can anyone confirm this? is this something i can do on my own so next time it would all be fine?

 

anyone?

 

Is it one of those trailers that has a sensor in the tounge to engage the brakes if it starts to slide forward too far?

 

yes it is, surge brakes. obviously when reversing, youre pressing against that sensor so the brakes would engage. i am ASSUMING the 5th pin is to be tapped into reverse lights, but i want to verify that.

 

I just swapped mine out to the round RV style because of the same reason.
My trailer "00' fourwinns" has a solenoid that cuts the brakes when backing up. There usually is some sort of manual switch or something to also cut the brakes when backing up. So for your answer, yes the 5th wire would be for the brakes. It all depends whats on the trailer and what type you end up using for your truck. I'd say switch it out to the round RV 7 pin style, That way you'll be set up for anythnig, Accessories or brakes or whatever most newer things have this style on them.http://www.championtrailers.com/TRAILER_RECEPTACLES.htm

 

Here's a pic of the manual reverse cutoff on my trailer. You flip this up and the brakes wont turn on in reverse. That way you can still reverse without the 5th wire! http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...nt=MISC005.jpg