I have a 2006 F250 with the Adjustable Brake Gain feature(forgot the trade name). My trailer has a 5 pin inline interface. I am not sure that this is functional. I change the gain and don't see any physical changes in how the system brakes. Also, when playing with it I get the "Trailer Disconnected" message on my message center. Can I not take advantage of this system with my dual wheel disc brake boat trailer? In the old days, I had a 4 pin connector, which I assumed was Battery, Ground, Left Turning Signal and Right Turning Signal. What is this 5th pin anyway?

Thanks for all your input,

RK

 

Sounds like the wiring on the trailer plug isn't wired to match the truck. Not sure what the 5 pin plug looks like that you have. My trailers all have the 6 round on them which i have to use an adapter to plug into the RV style plug on the back of the truck...even then i had to modify a wire in the adapter to make it work properly.

Your basic 4 flat plugs are..

White-Ground
Brown-Tail Lights(Running lights)
Yellow- Left Turn
Green-Right Turn

 

7 Pin is now the sandard, your 4 pin is, running lights, ground, left turn, and right turn, I would asume pin #5 is for your trailer brakes.

 

Are you sure your boat trailer has electric brakes? Most all boat trailers I have had experience with had surge brakes operated by the slowing of the tow vehicle. Electric brakes usually don't work well after being submerged in water!

 

5 pin boat trailers are surge actuated hydraulic brakes. The bottom, or fifth pin is the reverse solenoid lockout, basically makes it so your brakes don't lock up on reverse. You can plug it into the 4 pin harness for forward towing and everything will work fine except the reverse lockout.

To use the reverse lockout for backing up, flip the 5 pin upside down and plug in the three top male pins. Turn on the trucks lights and you will be good to go as the solenoid will engage and not allow pressure into the brake lines.

To use your brake controller, you will need an electric over hydraulic system. They are not cheap and you may not need it depending on the weight of your boat. I would love to have that setup, but it may be slightly overkill as my boat+trailer weighs 4500 lbs and has single axle discs that seem to do alright.

 

Yep, ditto what he said, my boat trailer has the 5th pin for locking out the surge when backing up. If you don't already have it gey a 5-7 pin plug and use your 7 pin jack on the truck.

 

The center pin on your 7 pin truck plug is connected to the back-up lights so this could be used for the solenoid as it will feed 12 volts when you put the truck in reverse.

 

Thanks Guys!

It is clear now.

RK