Most Australians live in relatively close proximity to the ocean or another form of waterway. It's not surprising, therefore, that boating is such a popular hobby and you may have decided to join the ranks of your fellow Aussies by spending some time afloat. A significant capital outlay is necessary, however, in order to not just buy the boat but to get all the required accessories. You may have laid out a lot of money on the vessel itself and have been forced to turn to the second-hand market in order to acquire the trailer. Now, you're not quite sure if the trailer is properly configured, as you may be having some issues when trying to back up the rig. What could be going wrong?

Different Systems

For one reason or another, you're finding it difficult to understand how your trailer brakes work. You may not know, but there are several different types of braking system in this situation and you may be dealing with an all-hydraulic, all-electric or hybrid option, known as electric-over-hydraulic. Most trailers will come with the latter system installed, especially those that are likely to be used when hauling a boat. After all, a fully electric system may be vulnerable when introduced to a lot of water.

Bad Configuration

Are you finding it difficult to reverse your rig once it is all hooked up? Some people encounter a good deal of resistance and don't realise that the brakes on the trailer may be locked. It's possible that you have incorrectly configured the electrical connections, or the harness may be missing a special adapter. You may also need to check the amount of energy being put out by your towing vehicle, as you may need to make modifications or get a larger battery.

Special Key

Furthermore, you may have overlooked the electric reverse lockout key, which is fitted to some trailers and is meant to isolate the brakes when you're trying to reverse your rig. If you don't turn this key prior to this operation, then you will certainly encounter a lot of resistance. You may have picked up the trailer without the key in place as it's easy to forget, but you can get a replacement quite easily at your trailer repair specialist.

Next Step

After taking all of these matters into consideration, you may find that you are still encountering problems when trying to reverse your trailer. If so, get in touch with a repair specialist for further advice. For more information, contact your local trailer repairs service.