reverse lockout

[not enuf toys]

can a reverse lockout solenoid be added to a hydrolic trailer? or are these made for particular manufactures of the trailer/system?

i currently have a mechanical lockout that works but as soon as you pull a bit forward it unlocks (seems to be spring loaded but havent played with it much lyet)

 

[jzellers]

Re: reverse lockout

Yes, you can. The lockout solenoids are not specific to the trailers. I did this on the last boat trailer I had because I converted it to disc brakes. The only exception I can see would be if the trailer was fabricated in such a way that you don't have room where the brake line connects to the coupler's master cylinder to insert the solenoid.

Other than that, you should be able to install it pretty easily.

 

[burp]

Re: reverse lockout

Do a little research first, as I believe one type of master cylinder needs a pressure relief valve additionally installed if the lockout solenoid is used. The mechanical type lockouts prevent the actuation of the master cylinder and thus no hydraulic pressure is created. If a lockout solenoid is used, hydraulic pressure is created by the master cylinder but the pressure is blocked by the solenoid which is on the output of the master cylinder. The pressure relief valve allows the excessive hydraulic pressure created to be released internally in the master cylinder. The pressure relief valve would prevent seal problems because of the excessive hydraulic pressure.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: reverse lockout

I think the "pressure relief valve" is incorporated into the solenoid and the solenoid is actually a three port solenoid valve.
Solenoid closes port to brakes, opens another port to dump fluid back to MC at same time.

 

[jzellers]

Re: reverse lockout

There are two types of solenoids - the standard in-line valve that you see most of the time, and another (bleed type)with a 3rd line that you route back into the master cylinder http://www.championtrailers.com/Solenoid valve line drawing 4 secure.pdf. Either will work, but the benefit of the bleed-type solenoid is that you won't have the fluid pressure in the lines if you stop on a decline and then try to back uphill. The downside of the bleed solenoid is that if your coupler's master cylinder doesn't have a bleed port already machined into the housing, you'd have to drill and tap it yourself for the fitting.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: reverse lockout

There are two types of solenoids - the standard in-line valve that you see most of the time, and another (bleed type)with a 3rd line that you route back into the master cylinder http://www.championtrailers.com/Solenoid valve line drawing 4 secure.pdf. Either will work, but the benefit of the bleed-type solenoid is that you won't have the fluid pressure in the lines if you stop on a decline and then try to back uphill. The downside of the bleed solenoid is that if your coupler's master cylinder doesn't have a bleed port already machined into the housing, you'd have to drill and tap it yourself for the fitting.

Yup, that's what mine is. Here's a pic of my mods.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: reverse lockout

Yup, that's what mine is. Here's a pic of my mods.

let me see if i go this setup right, there is a solenoid after the master cylinder. whenn the cylinder pushes fluid down the line it goes through the solenoid first. when the solenoid is activated (through the reverse wire on a 5 or 7 way pole) it reroutes the fluid back into the resovior for the master cylinder??

if this is the case this will be an easy addition

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: reverse lockout

You've got it, all of the fluid goes back to the master. It needs to be wired to your backup lights. This is easily done with standard 7 pin connectors via the center pole. The standard five pole connection is usually a brake connection that will activate the solenoid under braking. Not good, no brakes! Be sure about your wiring when installing. Unfortunately it is a Tie Down part from China, I'm keeping a close eye on it. So far so good.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: reverse lockout

What manufacture is that selonoid? Does the ball mount still slide into the tongue when reversing (just a little like heavy breaking) or does it stay out?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: reverse lockout

it doesn't do anything to the mechanical function, it releases all hydraulic pressure back to the master instead of to the calipers.