Trailer with brakes question

A

alms_lefko

New member
So I've searched but am confused. Picking up a boat trailer that has brakes... I have the jumper attachment in the glove box (where does it go). Is this all I need to make the trailer brakes work?

I just plug the round connector into the truck and the brakes work?

Any help is appreciated!
 
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Lots of boat trailers have surge brakes that don't require any electrical connections. They just apply the brakes automatically by squeezing a hydraulic actuator. You may not need anything.
 
Most boat trailers have surge brakes, not electric so no brake controller needed. Also many boat trailers are 5-pin and require an adapter to work on our round 4Runners plug.

My triple axle boat trailer has surge brakes and the 5-pin. Surge brakes are kind of a pain in the ass so you may want to make sure they work properly before hopping on the highway. Hopkins makes a quality adapter 5-pin adapter.
 
CXS said:
Good to know! Not that I'll ever own a boat but good to know before I supply a quick answer!
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I very rarely tow mine, I found it too much of a pain in the ass. I just keep mine in a slip at the marina.

Surge brakes kept the system theoretically closed and safer when used in salt water. But in reality saltwater reeks havoc on the system anyways. Most people I know do brakes and many electrical parts (lights, flashers, etc) annually. Just a major pain.
 
ebg18t said:
I very rarely tow mine, I found it too much of a pain in the ass. I just keep mine in a slip at the marina.

Surge brakes kept the system theoretically closed and safer when used in salt water. But in reality saltwater reeks havoc on the system anyways. Most people I know do brakes and many electrical parts (lights, flashers, etc) annually. Just a major pain.
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That's what I've heard from a friend who spends his time between WI & FL, his fresh water boats require a lot less maintenance.
 
CXS said:
That's what I've heard from a friend who spends his time between WI & FL, his fresh water boats require a lot less maintenance.
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So the guy in WI has less trouble with corrosion with boat and more with his truck. In FL is boat has trouble but his truck is better.
 
Nope, he has boats in both states and the FL boat needs more maintenance than the ones in WI.
 
ebg18t said:
I very rarely tow mine, I found it too much of a pain in the ass. I just keep mine in a slip at the marina.

Surge brakes kept the system theoretically closed and safer when used in salt water. But in reality saltwater reeks havoc on the system anyways. Most people I know do brakes and many electrical parts (lights, flashers, etc) annually. Just a major pain.
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My 4runner tows like a champ. I use 4WD Low to pull the boat out. But I'm also 2 miles from the ramp. I don't think I would want to tow it long distances.
 
alms_lefko said:
My 4runner tows like a champ. I use 4WD Low to pull the boat out. But I'm also 2 miles from the ramp. I don't think I would want to tow it long distances.
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Unfortunately my regular boat is beyond the tow capacity of the 4Runner and I got rid of my 1-Ton Diesel. Plus it's easier to just drive (10min) to the marina and head out. The Ramps here are full of weekend warriors that have little to non for ramp etiquette.
 
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